Ahh wow...this time last year. A third year student studying at Man Met, in the middle of an unholy turbulence full of exam stresses, essay hand in's, outdoor partying in the first catches of sunshine and triple D- Dissertation Deadline Day. At this time of year, one can expect the uneasy anticipation of the sum of three whole years of university life- results, soon followed by Graduation Day.

Graduation Day, July 15th 2009. A strange day spent feeling like an extra from a Harry Potter film. Parents uneasily mingle with other course mates families and their plus one's, photos are taken, small talk is shared. Amidst the gathering outside, and before the grand finale of the graduation ceremony, fellow course mates will gather outside this summer, as they have many summers before to share excited giggles and nervous exchanges between a fleetingly forged friend group- a last display of student one'ness.

 The moments before going on stage was an uneasy but ultimately proud moment, walking out in front of a mass of caps and gowns, formally shaking hands with some senior person at the university, who has a name and face you swear you've never even heard of. A faceless good bye to an untold future. Later, a cheesy smile will be captured a front of a faux-marble background*. 

*Note, this photograph will remain proudly nestled on mum's living room sideboard from now on. It will be a marker of  academic days past and a great display of mum one-up man-ship style boasting with your fake aunty.

 For me, the few weeks following these epitomising days were followed by dreamy days spent dancing in Croatia, and train hopping ourselves into comical European adventures. The freedom of time after graduating can be a beautifully unique point in life filled with clarity and, fleetingly, the empowered feeling of being above and beyond the chains of UK living and modern day responsibilities.

 Upon return from a happy 22nd birthday spent in Barcelona, I initially carried myself with a wistful walk in my step. A shining degree in my back pocket and a mind full of hope and energy for the next chapter. This chapter though, for me, my friends and probably the majority of the 300,000 fellow graduates across the UK found it, ...a bit shit. 

 Factoring in the mass of competition, reduction in externally advertised job vacancies (i.e. the good jobs) and of course the bloody credit crunch and you are stuck in a pretty grim time. Graduate depression is actually a real thing, just type it in Google.  I think, to overcome this you have to prepare yourself that a degree isn't instantly transferrable to a sick job e.g. fat pay packet, flexi time and creative space. 

 With this message firmly brought home to us, I, like the rest, found myself at the bottom of a dock-off career ladder that I didn't even fancy climbing. Stripped away of  distantly familiar student benefits including time, waves of money and partying hard (with some studying on the side). The average recent graduate is backed with a seemingly useless laissez-faire attitude and questioning mind, these simply have no place within the structured and archaic chains of paid employment.

 For the new worker, redemption can be found in the form of the regular monthly pay cheque, a step up from getting dough every few months I guess although it is riddled with tax and N.I. deductions, (lets try not to think about when the student loan repayments kick in). Joys are also found in the thrill of bank holidays, the true, unadulterated Friday Feeling, occasional career '1 ups' and self indulgent food shopping (including posh cereals, real meat and some fancy cheese, i.e. brie). City breaks can also help to re-enact the feeling of being a fully fledged Young Professional, however, the sheer minuses in your bank account may beg to differ.

 The point of this is to keep trying, get your head down, enjoy the thrill of the unknown and keep trying to take your situation to the next level.

Work hard, play hard.