Life after graduation

Why Does the Post-Graduation Dread Make Life's New Chapter Feel Like the End?

University life offers an unparalleled experience. It's a realm of newfound freedom, away from the familiar confines of home. The absence of curfews, drinking as much as one wants, and skipping classes all contribute to the exhilarating sensation of newfound liberty. Those four years fly by. Suddenly, you're engulfed in the intensity of dissertation season, clocking in extensive hours at the library, eagerly counting down to your graduation day.

Graduation day arrives, and with its swiftness, it departs. The big ceremony, the cap and gown and the graduation ball, signal both an end and a beginning. Yet, paradoxically, many graduates, much like me, find themselves grappling with an unexpected sense of dread. 

Why does this pivotal moment, meant to celebrate accomplishments and launch individuals into the new phase of life, instead cast a shadow of apprehension?

For some, graduating university marks a triumphant moment, with a job secured post summer or an internship paving the way towards employment. Yet for others, myself included, it's the ‘What next?’ phase.It's a period where questions loom: Should I pursue a master’s degree? Should I consider teaching? Or perhaps travel ? The uncertainty of what lies ahead for the future, can truely weigh on you. 

Not only is there the dread of trying to find a job, there is a significant shift in one's daily routine when the chapter of university closes. The structured yet extremely flexible schedule of university life, with sporadic classes and a mass of free time for personal pursuits, contrasts sharply with the rigidity of a full-time job. The abrupt change from a predominantly academic environment to the profession setting introduces a new set of challenges. 

The days of drinking, and sleeping till the early afternoon are gone, as well as the luxury of extended breaks between semesters and the new academic year. Instead, the future will bring a new routine. One which is more predictable and demanding, filled with regular working hours and extreme productivity. Adapting to the fast-paced nature that comes from the corporate world, requires time management and a new mental adjustment to the continuous structured nature of a working day.  Life at university gives you time to see friends, and socialise as much as you desire. However, the working world is not the same, time starts to disappear and socialising with friends becomes harder than ever before.

The application process

The job application process can resemble a roller-coaster ride, complete with highs of anticipation and the lows of rejection. As you pour a lot of time and effort into crafting the perfect application. To then get through the assessment stage of the application, onto the interview, only to be told in 6 weeks’ time “Regrettably, we are sorry to inform you. You have been unsuccessful at this time.” Followed by “We decided to proceed with another candidate…”.

Those rejection emails, though often cushioned with polite language, can feel like a punch to the stomach. The acknowledgment of your skills and character does little to ease the disappointment of being passed over for another candidate. 

These rejection emails seem to steer you into actively avoiding not only your inbox, but your laptop in general. Challenging not only your professional capabilities but also affects your self-esteem and confidence. 

The Linkedin Fear

Applications like LinkedIn are there to support you whilst getting onto the job ladder, yet why is it every time I log in am met with an expediential crisis. Posts made by friends, acquaintances or purely just randoms proudly announcing a new job venture, used to make me feel happy and excited for the person posting, I’d write a “congratulations” in the comments. Whereas now these posts tend to fill me with jealousy and self-doubt, rather than commenting my “congratulations”, I just sit back and tend to think “when will this happen for me?”. 

What now?

It is almost as though we are too cruel to ourselves when it comes to job hunting. Too harsh almost, rather than seeing the positives we tend to only see the negatives. Graduating from university is an achievement in itself. The same goes for getting a job interview and getting some positive feedback in between the mist of rejection. We should take these little wins and be proud of how far we’ve come. Celebrating small wins, by acknowledging the progress we have made. Each application, assessment and interview are valuable experiences that contribute to the next chapter of getting a job. 

We should put less pressure on ourselves as when the time is right, the right job will come around.

Journal of nursing