So... You Got a First?

Yes. I've been away for a long while. But, in that while, I have gained a First Class Honours Degree in English from University of Birmingham. Or, to elaborate, I am two weeks away from officially obtaining the paper for said First Class degree (and slightly terrified of walking up those stairs in heels!).

So... Now what?

I feel like the above three words are the most often used in relation to the situation I now find myself in.

I should be scared, right?

Well, every fast-paced millennial (and somewhat slow-paced older family/extended family member and acquaintance) would like me (and many others in this situation) to answer 'yes'. Yes, I should be slightly scared that I have my degree and, as yet, no source of income for the next few months. That I don't know immediately where I'm going from here, that I'm seemingly going to 'waste' my education on the wrong career.

But... I'm not.

And I want to remind anyone reading this in my situation that it is ok, contrary to popular belief, to not have a master plan. Aged 21, you do have the time and ability to take a step back, breathe and not get caught up in the degree --> graduate job --> immediate money cookie-cutter mould.

For me, these next few months are those of personal growth, re-evaluating my passions and motivations, travelling, and deciding on my next move.

After spending a good 18 years in education, and having the past three years of stressing over deadlines, balancing said education with some sort of social life, it's been easy to lose track of my overall aim. So, rather than rushing into an anonymous graduate scheme for immediate money, I want my job search to be more related to gaining experience, following up possible leads and recognising that I'd rather be in a job that I love than simply work for the sake of it for an as-yet unknown outcome.

So, let's take this leap together.

Coffee's For Closers

“Well change will come, oh change will come”
- Coffee's for Closers - Fall Out Boy

 Basically been a week of semi-productive finished-school nonsense.

Finally through with school circa.  19.06.14 

Got to say, swapping this - 

Swamped in History revision - With added Reeses Pieces!

For this - 

Five Guys, Birmingham - Amazing American Experience!

Frankie & Benny's Cocktails!
Front - Mojito, Back - Cosmopolitan, Right -  Margarita

Has made for a good week or so.!

It's strange how not having a schedule can make you feel both annoyingly free and clearly constricted as soon as you've made plans. Between finishing school and now, I've managed to fit in food, shopping, swimming and watching a friend's media work displayed on a cinema screen - then whenever there's a spare moment I feel strange to not have anything work-related to do. Strange, but chilled...

Finishing school has been a pretty drama-free affair so far, which you could call quite the anti-climax. On my last day, pretty much every student at my school had the day off (joys of training days) and teachers were nowhere to be seen, so instead of the busy farewells I'd envisaged, it became a lot more of a 'here's your last exam – now go' type of deal...

Which was pretty much more my scene anyway – but still kind of disappointing when you realise the past 15 years of work, emotions and childish dreams have all surmounted to this quiet, unimposing lull.

Despite this, I am really looking forward to my 'graduation' from sixth form this Friday. Expecting cheesy awards, cheesy music and hopefully not too cheesy food. At the minute I'm somewhere between feeling nostalgic at all the times spent at this place with people I might now only stay in touch with through social media from time to time, and a bit disappointed with myself for still not knowing everyone's names.

Till next time...