Important documents you should always have on hand
As a young adult, you will soon realise that the world moves at an unfamiliar pace and never waits for you to catch up. Along with the fast-paced lifestyle, there are a lot of decisions you will have to make on your own and in addition, there are documents that you will need to have on hand to support those decisions. In order to redeem prizes, awards, bursaries or employment opportunities, you have to have these important documents to prove who you are.
Gathering your documents and learning how to organise them according to personal or academic/professional is something you need to grasp as soon as possible. For instance, you may be living on your own, away from home and you need to know where everything is kept.
We have created a list of important documents that you should always have on hand, either as a hard copy or electronic copy.
- Identity Document or Smart ID Card
This is a given, you have to have this with you at all times. An ID document enables South African citizens and permanent residents to identify themselves for general purposes and day-to-day activities in society. IDs form an important part of each person’s daily activities since all transactions require positive identification. You should always have a copy of your ID on hand, or a scanned digital copy on your phone or laptop.
- Academic transcript
An academic transcript has a detailed record of all the subjects you have studied in the form of marks/grades given by the institution of study. Many companies ask for your academic transcript to identify which subjects make you a beneficial candidate for the job position that’s advertised. It’s always important to have this nearby when you’re in the process of applying for jobs.
- Proof of registration
Proof of registration is beneficial to have on hand as it allows you to apply for student bank accounts, student accommodation and even accepting bursaries or scholarships. Proof of registration proves that you are registered at a tertiary institution.
- Financial evidence
A bank statement is important to show that you have an active bank account and as a bonus, it also shows your proof of address which is often needed when applying for a lot of things.
- References
A reference list or reference collection can be a compilation of letters from past educators/lecturers/employers that can vouch for you when applying for either a bursary or a job. It’s rare that people would ask for this but it’s good to always ask for a letter of motivation from people you have gained experience from.
After reading this post, get started on gathering those documents.
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