Post Graduate Realness // The Honest Truth

Hello!

First of all, thank you to everyone who sent me lovely comments about my last post! It really hit off more than I expect so there might be a part two in the works… But from a lighthearted and funnier post to something a bit more serious. The aftermath of a degree. 

Big high to big low real quick.

Leaving university comes with a rollercoaster of emotions, which will differ for everyone as no two experiences are the same.You might leave feeling grateful to finally be free of the education system, or celebrating the fact that you won’t have to write another 10,000 word assignment ever again, however everyone leaves with a sense of self-fulfilment and pride as you leave one of the most stressful times of your life with a great outcome and result to carry with you for the rest of your life. But this can often feel short lived. Because...then what. What do you do after all of the years of studying and routine and structure? You go straight to climbing the career ladder “I’ve got a degree, I’ll get a job in a month or so!” is the naive thought many carry when they leave. 

Source - Simple Reminders

Unfortunately not everyone is given their shot straight away and the constant rejection and new application can feel like a new shot to the heart. When I left university I cautiously took a couple of months off from job hunting and just taking in being with friends and family again. Lo and behold, by the time christmas had passed and I was ready to get back on the wagon, our old friend corona had showed up and slowed the process down even more! I recently saw a job advert request that you be graduated in the past 6 months...how could this be possible? Especially after a global pandemic, every graduate deserves the same fair chance.  I cannot stress how important it is to carry on, push through that dark period because your time till come. You will get that dream job and you will get that degree driven happy ending.

Everyone’s timeline and end goal is different.

Like I touched on in that last paragraph, some will fall straight into a job or graduate scheme and others will be left looking for months to come. You’re a twenty something, starting out in the world. Do you panic and immediately start saving for a house? Do you lock yourself away completing 20 job applications a day? Do you live life as it is and enjoy what you have at the time? One of the greatest things about the 21st century in my eyes is the lack of traditional timeline and pressure to hit specific milestones by certain ages.

Source - Chi Bird

Just because your friend’s have been fortunate enough to buy a 21’ plate car, put a deposit down on a property or receive their second promotion of the year none of this has a negative reflection on where you are in your life. Everyone’s journey is going to be different, some might favour the career ladder over the property ladder, some might choose starting a family or some might push to enjoy the last of their twenties in every dingey pub they find in London - it doesn’t matter, so long as what you’re doing is making you happy. 

Comparison will kill your drive. 

Taking these two points into consideration you cannot compare yourself to everyone else your age. The only thing you’ll gain from this is a mental burnout and you’re not going to get very far then are you? It’s much easier to say than to do but allow yourself to just be. So smile for your friends when they get the happy ending you’re still waiting for, go for those celebratory drinks, and then the next day you continue your own journey, the best is yet to come. 

I know this blog post does not relate to everyone that reads these posts, but I hope it helps anyone either in that limbo stage or that knows someone who is. It can be a difficult and at times lonely stage of life, so even if this is just a reminder that sometimes the end is worth the long and lengthy weight. I’ve got a couple of posts I’ve been working on slowly, just waiting for their time to come. If you have any blog ideas you’d like to see written about then comment below! 

Until Next Time.

Shannon xx