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Read MoreGraduation day – 23 July 2025
Good things take time
As I take my seat after walking the stage, I can’t help but reflect on my time at university. My eyes set on the screen that will soon showcase my name and my degree, two of the most important parts of myself.
My name: a reflection of my lineage, culture and identity.
My degree: an illustration of my hard work, passion, and knowledge.
However, as I reflect on this milestone, I can’t help but feel like there is so much more to me. Things that won’t be projected on a screen for hundreds of people to see today, and illustrated in a certificate placed on my lap.
Good things take time
End of August , 2025
Good things take time
Or that’s what I’m telling myself as I sit at home, having to rethink my gap year travel plans before my master’s. As it turns out, finding a job that gives me the flexibility to travel is much difficult than it seems…
But listen, it’s not just me; there are thousands of students around the UK, let alone the world, who are in the same uncertain boat. Unfortunately, the result of being in this boat is a terrible travel sickness called Graduation Blues, a form of destructive nostalgia.
Although it is most common for voyagers to come down with this illness, some graduates at their target destination can show similar symptoms.
Each longing for the life on their previous island.
But what does this illness actually look like, and why is it so contagious?
Let me share with you how I caught and overcame this state of mind
Not in hopes you take my remedy, but to let you know it’s there.
Good things take time
First week of September 2025
I honestly don’t think my life started before I moved into my university halls. Not to say my Secondary and Sixth form years weren’t formative, but 18 felt like the start of something amazing. No longer strained by the grip of my overprotective Nigerian Mother and compulsory education, I could finally forge my life (party). Okay, I’m joking, but I’m internally grateful that I chose to go to university, and I know Student Finance is too, especially with the well over £50,000 I owe them.
That being considered, I still believe because of my upbringing, going to university was the best way to learn more about myself and the world, and that is a decision I’ll never regret.
However, there are some things we have to learn outside of university that help us live the life we want to.
second week of September 2025
After reflecting on my amazing time on my study abroad in Hong Kong, I remembered the blog I wanted to start to document my travels. It was called 20 going on 2000, and it was going to be a self-hosted WordPress blog. I really wanted to create something of my own that represented my multifaceted nature and characteristics.
However, I strongly underestimated how much it took to create a blog from scratch, and how distracting truly living in the moment felt. I used to beat myself up for not starting my blog when I planned to, but now I understand it wasn’t the right time for me.
Who knows what 20 going on 2000 could’ve been back then.
But what I do know is what it can be now.
Good things take time
Final week of September
After much deliberation, I finally bought my two-year web hosting plan for my blog, and I finally decided to commit to my website.
However, it took a lot to get to that point.
- I took a creative writing sociology module in my final year, where I was able to fall in love with creative writing after having an estranged relationship due to my undiagnosed dyslexia.
- Doing a dissertation in my final year reinforced my love and intrigue for research. This developed my sociological lens and allowed me to be both vulnerable and critical.
- Going to new places, trying new things, and meeting new people allowed me to change my attitude and perspective toward life.
4. Letting go of perfectionism, as it was causing stagnation and complacency.
5. Fighting the urge to daydream rather than work towards the life I wanted.
6. Seeing uncertainty as the best time to put all my energy into my passions. Sure, I don’t know the result, but if I could lead me to living the life I desired, it would be worth it. Rather than viewing it as a discouraging position, I started to look at it as the optimal time to invest in my interests.
Now
Thus, leading to the renovation and resurrection of 20 going on 2000
A platform that showcases creativity, personality, thoughts and interests. Traits that I believe we all share as humans, but with how society is shaped, tend not to be nurtured or encouraged. I finally want to push against these restrictions and share one of the most valuable and unique things about myself.
Not just my degree and name, something more than that. Because I truly believe we all are more than that.
To achieve is always impressive, but how one does this is arguably more commendable and a true reflection of resilience and determination. Just because things take longer doesn’t mean they won’t happen; it’ll mean you’ll be more prepared when they do.
I believe the plight should outweigh the result.
Reflection on what it took to graduate, and the life lessons learnt along the way, is vital to cure Graduation Blues.
Because being a graduate doesn’t always feel like one.
But remembering what it took to get you there will remind you of all you’ve accomplished.
.
6 Comments
Vince
December 8, 20257:28 pm
Too cool!
Habz
December 8, 202510:35 pm
*Clock it*
AJ
December 8, 202511:49 pm
I LOVE THIS!!
AJ
December 8, 202511:50 pm
I LOVE THIS!
Eden Douglas
December 9, 202512:52 am
Lovee love love this !!
Frankie
December 16, 20257:22 am
As a someone working within public relations and communications services, your ability to write with such authenticity, sharing genuine personal insights, is so refreshing and truly inspiring to read! Loved it x