7 x recognizable things from that strange phase between studying and working

Finally, the moment is here and you are forever free from school. You feel like you have neatly gone through all the steps: from primary school to secondary school and eventually you have a bachelor's and/or master's degree in hand. For years, you were presented with a new goal time and again, and then suddenly you have graduated. For a brief moment, you feel as free as a bird, because you never have to attend lectures again, no more annoying group assignments to complete, and you no longer have to mention that you are still a student. The world is at your feet, and yet after celebrating your liberation, a turning point soon comes: you have to start working. And I don't mean another part-time job, but a grown-up job. Well, then the panic really sets in. Below, I share seven recognizable things from that strange period between graduating and working.

1. You suddenly have no idea what you want

I personally fell into quite a black hole after obtaining my bachelor's degree. Initially, I was happy with my freedom, but suddenly there were so many possibilities that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. Moreover, I had no idea what truly made my heart race and what I could actually do with my degree. I guess this is recognizable for many people: you learn a bit of everything during your studies, but never where you can apply that ‘bit of everything’. So we suddenly have to figure that out as soon as we graduate.

2. You consider doing a master's or a completely new study

The point above also made me question everything after my studies. Did I choose the right study? Would I have preferred to study psychology? Can I still do a master's in psychology? All questions that haunted my mind after graduation. If I could choose again, I would indeed have made a different choice, but I think there was also a sense of panic football involved, so studying again seemed like a safe option. But deep down, I knew I really didn't want to go back to the classroom. I was just afraid of the next phase.

3. You are expected to start applying for jobs immediately

At least, that's how it feels, since everyone keeps asking about it. Not just your parents, but also your friends. Have you found a job yet? Are you already applying? What do you actually want to do now? Please let people who just graduated catch their breath for a moment, because we have no idea what to do, so all those confronting questions won't help.

4. For every ‘okay’ vacancy, at least five years of work experience is required 

Then you finally start applying and suddenly you need at least a few years of work experience for everything. But how can that be if you've just graduated? All other options where this doesn't apply are of course not options for you. By the way, you're not really enthusiastic about anything, although some vacancies (with the work experience requirement) still seem ‘okay’ to you. You have to start somewhere. Therefore, there's nothing else to do but to bluff a bit about your work experience and exaggerate your qualities.

5. You feel that your carefree life has come to an end

Now that you are no longer a student, you feel that the fun is over. There's no more time to waste, and you're going to lose those wild hairs from now on. Can you still go out three times a week, or does that need to be reduced? After all, a grown-up job also comes with a grown-up and serious lifestyle, you would think. By now, I've realized that this is complete nonsense, but that's how it feels when you've just graduated. You suddenly can't just throw it all away, because you're no longer a student.

6. Goodbye student finance and hello student debt 

That's something to get used to, of course: suddenly you have to give up your allowance from DUO. Fortunately, you don't have to pay off your student debt immediately and you have quite a long time for that, but you will definitely miss that monthly contribution. And that combined with your part-time jobs: during your studies, you were actually quite rich.

7. No more time to change course 

I've actually come back on this point. After my studies, it absolutely felt that way: I felt old and rushed, as if I had to take a path at that moment and couldn't change course afterward. Now I have to laugh about it, as I have made quite a few career switches: from fashion designer to Dutch teacher, and now I'm writing and have a hundred other ideas that I would like to develop. I'm so glad this point doesn't apply to our lives. We are never too old to learn and can change course every day.