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
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
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.
ReplyDeleteI'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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