All My Friends Are Graduating

One of the reasons why I chose to extend my degree to 4 years is because I wasn’t ready to graduate and I didn’t want to jump into employment so quickly. Now my study abroad year is over, I’m so happy I made that choice because I feel like I’ve matured and become more focused. I am ready to tackle my final year (not comfortable saying 4^th year yet) and I feel more motivated to succeed.

It’s so weird for me to see my friends graduating, especially because I would’ve been graduating alongside them. I witnessed (on social media) some of their final library sessions, final lectures, them working on their dissertations, finally handing in their dissertations, receiving their degree awards and moving out of their Leicester homes. Despite being happy with my decision, I felt a bit sad that I wasn’t going through everything with them. However, it has worked out better for me this way. I’ve been able to learn from my friend’s experiences through their advice on what I should and should not do next year. Moreover, seeing a lot my friends achieving first class degrees has pushed me to work even harder next year.

I am so proud of what my friends have achieved and half of me wishes I could be graduating with them, however, I know that this is the stage where I am meant to be. My experience studying in Australia has taught me valuable skills that I will put into practice in my final year. I’ve had my time to “relax” and learn beyond what my degree teaches me, now I am ready for my final challenge. I know it won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it.