Going to university is one of the best experiences of your
life. They are three (or four) years of your life that you will look back on
with love, laughter, possibly some regret, sadness, but most importantly
happiness. The drunken nights and the hangover days, the lazy days and the late
study nights, the friendships you made and the friendships you lost, these are
all memories that will never be forgotten. However, as much as we would like it
to, university does not last forever and eventually we have to say goodbye to
our student days and step into the REAL world and become actual ADULTS! It’s a
scary thought but it is something that is inevitable and no matter how hard we
try it is going to happen to us all eventually. As a graduate for over a year
now I have learnt a few lessons in this time, some good and some bad, but some
of which I think many graduates can identify with. As graduation ceremony
season is now in full swing I thought I’d share a few of those lessons I have
learnt with you. Enjoy
1) Being
unemployed is not an experience you will enjoy over a long period of time.
After graduation you feel as if you can achieve anything as you leave with the
degree you worked so hard for. What university forgot to mention to you however
is that a job is not just around the corner (unless you live near a Tesco) and
after a few lazy weeks at home reality kicks in and you realise you have no
money and therefore need to find a job. But with no experience, a half-hearted
CV and little motivation finding a job is not as easy as you thought it would
be. You may spend days, weeks or even months applying but still can’t get anywhere. You’ll begin to lose confidence as your friends start
becoming employed but you’re still waking up at 11 just in time for Loose
Women. But, eventually you will find a job and will feel a massive sense of relief
as you now have something to pop on the ol’ CV.
2) Being
employed now means MONEY – You have a job and that means you can now, firstly,
pay off the overdraft that has helped you live for the past three years, and
buy things that seemed impossible to afford when you were a student. Goodbye
Tesco Value noodles and hello Tesco’s Finest! I won’t lie to you, receiving
your payslip on pay day is one of the best feelings ever! Earning more than
what your whole overdraft was every month really puts it into perspective how
poor you actually were at university. Earning money means new clothes,
holidays, gadgets and maybe the occasional saving. Eventually you’ll love
earning money that being a poor student doesn't look so appealing anymore.
3) NO
MORE LIE INS!! That’s right, goodbye lie-ins, hello 6am alarm!
4) Friends
– One of the hardest and worst things I have learnt in this year as a graduate
is that you will not keep in contact with all of your friends from uni. Despite
living together or being friends with people for three years, there are some
that I have not spoken to since graduation and I genuinely have no idea what
they’re doing with their lives. As sad as it is, this is just one of those
things that happens in life. People come and go but I will always have good and
happy memories of them and I know that university would not have been the same
without them there.
5) Life
gets serious – The negatives – You have now left three years of partying,
sleeping and studying behind. You have an overdraft and student loans
to pay back and perhaps, like me, for most of the time you will have no idea
what you want to do in life and will feel a bit lost. You might have to start
paying rent, bills or even a mortgage. Sorry mum and dad for ever thinking our
lives were harder than yours!!
6) Life
gets serious - The positives – Don’t worry, I’m not all negative and being a
graduate does have its perks. As I've said, you begin to earn money and can buy
things you want as well as need. After graduation you begin to think about the
future, and although it is scary, it is also exciting. Now that years and years of studying are over I love knowing that I can
now try and make some sort of impact on the world. A degree can open many doors
for you and you have created amazing memories along the way. Growing up is inevitable so we may as well
have some fun whilst we’re at it…
