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What It Feels Like to Be Finished College

I always wondered what it will be like to finally be finished with education and this day has finally come (well, I'm finished with it for now anyway). 

I submitted my last ever assignment the previous week and it took me another 5 working days to cool down and accept the fact that I really am done. And here, are the thoughts I've been having this last couple of days:

1. What even is life? 

For the last 4 years, my life revolved around exams, assignments and stress that had been accompanied by an occasional study all-nighter. This is why I'm still not quite sure what to do with all the extra time or even fully comprehend the fact that I can finally engage in more activities I enjoy without feeling guilty because of an approaching deadline or exam.

2. So I'm a REAL adult now. 

I have a 9 to 5 job, I pay taxes, I don't get student discounts & I'm earning more money. This adult thing can be quite stressful for some but I found it empowering; I don't have to rely on anyone because I've got my own money and I can spend it on silly things because well, who's gonna stop me?  (I'm pretty sure I could hear my bank account sobbing in the distance as I wrote this).

3.  What now? 

So I'm finished with college and I have a job I'm quite happy with but there is still this weird feeling of emptiness that I cannot get rid of. It feels like I've been thrown out of a routine that went on for 4 years - or much longer than that if I were to take into account all the years I spent in school. 

Don't get me wrong - I am delighted & very proud of myself but I feel super lost, despite having everything under control. Should I be doing more with my life? Should I enrol in a Masters programme? I feel like I'm not doing enough just because I now have more time on my hands.

4. Who do I hang out with? 

 My friend group can be divided into three categories; the friends I made in school as a kid, the friends I made in college and the friends I met on random occasions. The problem is, I'm at this weird age when some of my friends are very much into partying and some already started their own families - while others simply moved country and I don't see them anymore. 

 What I'm trying to say is that I'm somewhere in the middle; like yes I think your baby is adorable and I'm very happy for you but I'm not at the same stage in life and yes I want to socialise but no I can't do it every weekend because my body cannot handle it. 

 5. More time for travel

 I always wanted to travel extensively but that was difficult with college, part-time jobs and other commitments. Now that this chapter is closed, I can finally start planning some trips, ideally outside of Europe.

I am beyond excited to see what the future holds and glad that I can finally move on. 

 What about you? Are you a student currently? Are you finished with your degree? What was your first thought after graduating? 

 I would love to hear from you. 

 Paula
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Comments

  1. John Ryan13 July 2018 at 12:35

    You need to get travelling NOW. Don't delay. Then you need to find your tribe. A group of people who you can call friends outside of those you already have. It's a bit cliched but you need to find yourself, although that's what college is for. ENJOY life.

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    Replies
    1. primavera25 August 2018 at 13:48

      I'm still on probation period in my current job so I will have to wait a little before I can take some time off but I will definitely make use of all the free time I have now to travel. And yess - I definitely need new people in my life - ones I can trust & call friends. Thanks so much for reading. ♡

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