It all started 18 years ago, the first day of school and that was it. In a contract with education before I was old enough to understand. Here I am, many years of education later and this is it, final year! One last hurdle……
When you were in your final year of primary school you listened to, ‘What secondary school do you want to go to?’
When you were trying to complete your GCSEs in 5th year all you heard was, ‘Are you doing A levels or leaving school to learn a trade?’ Errr….Hang on a little second I’m 16 – that’s a huge decision. (Oh and by the way, if you do choose to do A-levels the subjects you pick are really important, and you’re already supposed to know what ‘you want to be when you grow up.’)
When you’re trying to complete your A levels you got, ‘What university are you going to?’ and ‘What course are you going to do?’ – Well, that’s another very big decision because you’ll need to know what kind of job you can get from that degree or you at least need to have an idea. If you’re blessed enough to know you’re going to be a teacher, or a doctor, or a nurse, then lucky you! But if not, then all you’ll hear from every single person you meet on the street is, ‘Where is that course going to take you?’ and ‘Will you get a good job out of that?’ (Shh I’m 18)
Then all of a sudden your half way through final year and the whole country are asking you: ‘What are you planning on doing when you finish your degree?’ (If I ever do)
Why do we always need to know what’s next? Whether it’s pressure that we add to ourselves or pressure that comes from people constantly asking ‘What’s next?’, I don’t know! But why are we expected to have it all figured out? There are people in their 40s who still don’t have it all figured out (I don’t think we ever will have it all figured out).
My advice to graduates…
Take time after final year if you need it. Do what’s right for you. If you’re ready for a well deserved break, take it because no-one’s going to give it to you. If you want to travel, do it. If you want to get the best job you possibly can, then go for it. Just don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t work out. All you can do is try your best.
To all my final year buds…
We all deserve a break after final year, just a little bit of time to appreciate how far you have come and all the work you’ve done (We can do it). A moment to reflect on all the meltdowns, deadlines and possibly stress-lines, who knows. Take a little bit of time to congratulate yourself for making it to the finish line!!
My final note is for you to remember that you can only try your best and after that whatever is meant to be will not pass you by. If things don’t go to plan then there is probably a better plan in place for you.
Good luck and wish me luck xo
P.S Can someone remind me about this blog post in May x
Kerrieann Curran is a final year BSc in Communication Management and Public Relations student at Ulster University. She can be found at: Twitter – @KerrieannCurran ; Linkedin – http://linkedin.com/in/kerrieann-curran-765420137