I can't wait to graduate! I'm tired of this school stress! I'm tired of all these sleepless nights! I need to start earning my own money! Gather here If you know you've used this phrase before or you're still using it, I have something to say to you. First of all, calm down! Life after school is not as easy and rosy as it sounds. Well, except if you're a son or daughter of Bill Gates or Elon musk, or even Dangote, then, you might not relate to the struggles of life after school. But if you know there's no inheritance waiting for you somewhere after your education, my dear, the hustle is real. Truthfully, graduating from university is a major achievement in a person's life and also an achievement to look forward to and be eager for but the world out there isn't for the weak. 

Now, do not get me wrong, being excited about leaving school to start working and earning proper money is a good thing but the world out there isn't smiling at everyone. Challenges will come and nobody, absolutely nobody can prepare you for what's ahead. You just have to face it yourself. The expectations most of us have/had is to graduate, go for NYSC and land a good paying job but the reality is that E choke ?(slang: meaning, it's not easy). The world out there is filled with uncertainty, pressures, fear, and lack of funds (that brokeness is just inevitable ?) 

LIFE AFTER SCHOOL: EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY

 In collaboration with a friend of mine, here's a little experience of our expectations for life after school vs. our current reality.

__ABIODUN OKUNOLA,
Studied: French language, Obafemi Awolowo University: ​

​​​ I had very high expectations for life after school. I expected to get a job in the Nigerian embassy as a foreign language graduate, you get ? (as though it's my Dad that owned it, lol). I also had an interest in teaching French as a part-time job, be a content writer and run my online jewelry business while fulfilling my career. These are my expectations but in the real sense of it, I'm not working in an embassy. I'm currently teaching French as a part-time job and still running my business on the low. I own a blog website, all thanks to my best friend who saw my writing skills and helped me till I birthed it into reality. I said all these to say that I get choked at times with all I'm doing now. It looks like I have it all balanced out but I don't. Adulting is hard, my work life is anything but soft! I'm not earning as I would love to. The plans to live a baby girl life is on hold as I'm still figuring it all out. Let's not even dive into the various rejection emails.

You know, most times I wish to still be in school, at least I will still be collecting pocket money, lol, but then it is what it is. These days, I hardly have time for the things I enjoy before. I can watch a 2-hour movie for a week, because it's either I'm working or sleeping, you see why i said earlier that it's not for the weak. You should know that in all these, I'm still living with my mum, well, I don't even want to imagine if I'm not. But then in all these, I have hope(i just sounded like a preacher right, lol). One thing I've discovered is that it's not easy and it might or might not be easy but I will scale through and come out stronger. This is just the starting point for me, there are better days ahead!

__OLUWASEYI OLAYINKA ,​​

​​​​​Law Graduate, Obafemi Awolowo University.

​​​​​At the time we were going to round up our exams, I was at “the very peak”. As a student, I was well rounded and practically thrived while doing a lot of things. I had won awards, served in various leadership positions and had intentionally built a network of good people. So, if there was anyone who had high expectations of life after school; I was!

Did it turn out as I expected? No. I was supposed to be in law school, a few months after and should be preparing to be a qualified lawyer. However, all of that hasn’t happened.I also envisaged certain goals falling in line as I hoped, but it didn’t turn out to be so. 
Would I say I have had a good “after-school” life ? Certainly Yes. It wasn’t what I expected, but it turned out to still be very fulfilling. I have had an opportunity to explore a career path outside of law, serve God, handle impactful projects, and have memorable moments with friends and family. Life after school is beautiful after all. 

Dear reader, this blog post is not to scare you, but most importantly to enlighten and encourage you if you're still figuring it out. In my own little way, i wrote out few tips that can help you while you're still trying to balance it all out.

1. Calm down: I've mentioned this earlier and I'm saying it again, calm down! Instead of getting all worried about what the future entails, how about you breathe, and reflect on how far you've come and what you've achieved. Taking deep breath and meditation helps a lot.

2. Know that no one has it all figured out: Truthfully, no one has it all figured out even those of your mates you think do. Everyone is taking it a step at a time supplementing it with vibes. Applaud yourself for even scaling through those 4, 5, or 6 years in the university. 

3. Network: Do not relent on your networking, expand your circle. Put yourself and what you do out there, and connect with people of like minds, people of the same goals, dreams, and aspirations.

4. Look out for internship opportunities: If you feel like you're ready to face post-uni life, starting with an internship is a good one. You get to work and also gain experience that will be useful when seeking better jobs. But then, don't play yourself, seek for valuable internship opportunities. 

5. Read books: I know you think you're done with reading books because you've graduated, but sorry to announce to you that it's just the starting point. Reading books is forever important in running this life after-school race especially if you don't want to be behind. For someone who aims for the best, reading books related to your niche and other niches (if necessary) is a must. 

Finally, stay positive, speak to yourself with positive affirmations, and don't be lazy, neither procrastinate if you want to see results!!! 

Thank you for reading through, don't forget to like, share and drop a comment, i would love to know your experience too, thank you ❤.