How to keep your DofE mindset alive

For many, September signifies change. Whether that’s the start of a new academic year, a move to university or just simply the change in the weather. For those who find themselves at the end of their DofE journey, it can be hard to know how to keep hold of the DofE mindset during a season of change. And whilst the journey may be over, your Award is more relevant than ever.

Whether you completed Bronze, Silver or Gold, achieving a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is no small feat. You’ve proven to everyone – but most importantly to yourself – what you’re capable of.

Your DofE mindset is a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Keeping your DofE mindset alive

Remember how you managed to balance your DofE activities alongside everything else you had going on? Kept focused on the finish line during the most gruelling points of your expedition? Reminding yourself of these achievements absolutely matters – you’ve proven you can handle tough times before, so you can do it again.

Those moments tested you. But you got through it – and you did what you set out to do. Your DofE should always stand as a badge of achievement, to prove to yourself that you’re capable of so much more than you think. Which is why you should…

Talk about your achievements – and then talk some more

Your DofE Award is the ultimate conversation starter. Going blank in a job interview? Unsure what to put in a cover letter? Getting your Award is a highly regarded achievement by many institutions, businesses, universities and employers – so shout about it.

Here are some impressive transferable skills you built during your DofE journey that you can mention:

• I’ve proven I have the resilience to handle pressure and deadlines.
• I’ve shown I have teamwork skills that make collaboration second nature .
• Getting your DofE Award means I had the initiative to take on challenges and keep going when things get hard.

As well as having these skills to hand, you could also talk about a significant moment during your DofE. It could be a particular point that challenged you, a funny anecdote that captures your personality, or an inspiring learning experience. Because the DofE isn’t just a line on your CV: it’s a story that sums up who you are and what you can achieve.

And remember – you can now feature your DofE Award on your LinkedIn profile, CV and on further education or job applications! Our new DofE digital badges are a verified, shareable way to show your Award is legit. Simply log in to eDofE and download your badge from “My Achievements”.

Find the “DofE feeling” again

If you’re really missing the magic of the DofE, there are so many ways you can conjure it up. Finding a group of like-minded friends – like your expedition mates – can really give you energy and motivation to get out there. Or maybe you can find the “feel-good” boost you got from volunteering by looking into opportunities like dog-walking or litter-picking around your local community.

Here are a few ideas from some fellow alumni over the years:

“DofE showed me how impactful volunteering is. So, I’ve continued to volunteer and help others start. I was even invited to give a speech about it at a charity to support others start volunteering. The open expeditions and residential also introduced me to so many new people – some of whom became friends I’m still in contact with today.” – Dora

“Having put wellbeing at the centre of my DofE sections, I now find myself carrying this mentality through everyday life. I’m caring less about social expectations and instead trusting and listening to myself, finding true joy still in my DofE activities. I’m still going to the gym and volunteering and, honestly, it has made so much of a difference it’s hard to put into words.” – Charlotte.

“My Expedition and Residential sections showed me what I wanted to do in life – I realised it was outdoor stuff. Before I knew it, I was applying to study outdoor adventure education at university.” – Ellis

Some more ideas from Award holders:

“Me and my expedition group meet up every summer for a walk and a camp – it brings back some of our DofE memories. But we stop before the blisters get really bad!” – Amy

“I found a hiking society at university! It was my favourite activity during DofE and I realised I can keep that passion going – while making new friends.”  – Sam

“I made a memory scrapbook with pictures of everything I achieved in my Award. I keep it on my wall, and it reminds me of what I can do when I push myself.”  – Olivia

Keeping your DofE mindset alive is a way to keep your confidence, your commitment, your resilience and your focus alive. Remember, your DofE Award isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of whatever comes next.

Good luck and we can’t wait to hear about your next achievement! Why not get in touch and tell us what you’re up to? You can share your updates and adventures with us on social media, or you can email us at [email protected].