On: Leaving University

I've written many a post about my time at University over here on Becc4, which, let's be real, is hardly surprising since it's been a very big, and incredible, chunk of my life. Alas, here we are, I'm a graduate now! Yep, that's right, this gal has a whole ass degree - a BSc in Psychology with first class honours, I'll have you know...

Anyway, for today's post, I thought we'd have a bit of a chat about; my plans for the future, feeling a bit lost and my thoughts on finally leaving education.

So, what are my plans for after university?

Now, I know you've probably all clicked onto this post hoping to read about all my concrete plans for the future, alas, I cannot offer you such. I mean, I have some short term plans but other than that, who knows what I'll be doing with the rest of my life. But, let's not worry, I am only 21 after all. 

Whilst I was on holiday, my dissertation supervisor emailed me to say that an internship in the faculty had been created. A few emails later and I'd received the confirmation that the job was mine, wahey. It's a 3 month, paid, internship based in the psychology faculty at my university. So, yes, I have graduated, but no, it is not the end of my time there. I'm currently not sure how often I'll need to be in Southampton, but it's nice to know I have many a reason to make a return. I've been given an official staff email address and am being sent a staff ID, goodbye student ID!

As many of you will know, my dissertation was on homelessness, and this is the sector I want to take my career in. I'm also currently doing some work on a document that's going to be sent to the government, focussed on homelessness, so I'm sure between that and my internship that I'm going to have lots to be getting on with over the next few months! 

We've also recently got a puppy !!! Aaaaah! Can you believe it ?! After begging my parents for years, I can't believe this day has finally come! I'm so so happy, he is the cutest thing EVER and already has his own Instagram account which you can follow here. I have volunteered to be lead dog obedience trainer and so I think I'm going to have my work cut out over the next few months!

How does it feel to have left university?

By no means was I dreading leaving university, but I certainly wasn't excited to be leaving my student life behind. I loved my university experience. I made some incredible friends and memories, had all sorts of crazy experiences and also came away with a first. University just really seemed to click for me. However, amidst those final exams, it's fair to say I was counting down the seconds until my freedom... 

When I look back at my university experience, the people are what absolutely made it and it's them that has made saying goodbye to this chapter oh so difficult. I mean, yes, there's facetime to catch up over and Instagram to see what people are up to but it's not quite the same. One thing I'm finding really weird is having to text my (ex) housemates?! Over the three years we lived together we only really texted each other when one of us needed to pick up some more milk in Lidl because there was no point discussing our days because we'd have all evening to be doing that. Alas, now that we don't live together, and don't see each other every evening, it's a whole other story! 

On feeling lost after finishing university

I wouldn't say I feel hopelessly lost, but I do feel a little loss nonetheless. Studying has been my life for the last few (16) years and now I'm not really sure what to be doing with myself. Yes, I do have some plans in place and things to be getting on with, but the post-uni confusion really is real. What do I do with my life now? What is my purpose? What am I striving towards next? I mean, I worked hard on my GCSE's to get into sixth form, worked hard on my A-Levels to get into uni, worked really hard throughout uni and got a first. But, now what?

My friends keep joking that they don't think I've finished with studying, and that I'll be back with my head in the textbooks before too long. We shall have to watch this space on that one and just see what happens. Dr Martin does have a nice ring to it though...