Am I the only one who’s not particularly excited to graduate…?
I graduate in a couple of weeks, and since finding out my results I no longer feel excited about it. It’s really upsetting because I’ve looked forward to graduation all year, but with results representing the finished degree I suddenly feel very apprehensive about being expected to celebrate and be proud when I’m not necessarily feeling that way yet.
It’s not that I’m not happy with my results; I got a 2:1 and I know this is a great outcome for a difficult degree at a top university, and I have had some huge personal setbacks during my final year including a very upsetting breakup which completely threw my life into chaos for a while. But these setbacks made me hope to get a First even more to prove to myself that I could do it even with a broken heart (Taylor?), and I put in so much effort to try and get this. It was very 50/50 whether I’d get a 2:1 or a First and ultimately I’ve ended up a couple of marks under the threshold for a First. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but still I can’t help it.
I feel incredibly overwhelmed now about what to do after I graduate. Being a bit disappointed with my 2:1 has knocked my confidence and made me feel less excited to pursue the Master’s which I had lined up. The alternative is to get a job, but so far my applications end up being rejected.
I have been so excited to graduate, but now it represents a celebration of a grade I’ve still not completely come to terms with, and the start of a really unknown and therefore unsettling period of my life.
I really really wish I was still happy and excited to graduate as this will only happen once and I’d love to feel happy and proud of myself, as I know I should be. It’s kind of like I’m stopping myself seeing the positives and actually just how much I’ve been through this year particularly because of my disappointment, but I’m not sure how to reframe it in my mind?
Not sure what I’m looking for in posting this - perhaps anyone who has felt similarly, or any advice/words of wisdom?
Thank you in advance 🫶🏼
It’s not that I’m not happy with my results; I got a 2:1 and I know this is a great outcome for a difficult degree at a top university, and I have had some huge personal setbacks during my final year including a very upsetting breakup which completely threw my life into chaos for a while. But these setbacks made me hope to get a First even more to prove to myself that I could do it even with a broken heart (Taylor?), and I put in so much effort to try and get this. It was very 50/50 whether I’d get a 2:1 or a First and ultimately I’ve ended up a couple of marks under the threshold for a First. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but still I can’t help it.
I feel incredibly overwhelmed now about what to do after I graduate. Being a bit disappointed with my 2:1 has knocked my confidence and made me feel less excited to pursue the Master’s which I had lined up. The alternative is to get a job, but so far my applications end up being rejected.
I have been so excited to graduate, but now it represents a celebration of a grade I’ve still not completely come to terms with, and the start of a really unknown and therefore unsettling period of my life.
I really really wish I was still happy and excited to graduate as this will only happen once and I’d love to feel happy and proud of myself, as I know I should be. It’s kind of like I’m stopping myself seeing the positives and actually just how much I’ve been through this year particularly because of my disappointment, but I’m not sure how to reframe it in my mind?
Not sure what I’m looking for in posting this - perhaps anyone who has felt similarly, or any advice/words of wisdom?
Thank you in advance 🫶🏼
Reply 1
Original post by dancer01
I graduate in a couple of weeks, and since finding out my results I no longer feel excited about it. It’s really upsetting because I’ve looked forward to graduation all year, but with results representing the finished degree I suddenly feel very apprehensive about being expected to celebrate and be proud when I’m not necessarily feeling that way yet.
It’s not that I’m not happy with my results; I got a 2:1 and I know this is a great outcome for a difficult degree at a top university, and I have had some huge personal setbacks during my final year including a very upsetting breakup which completely threw my life into chaos for a while. But these setbacks made me hope to get a First even more to prove to myself that I could do it even with a broken heart (Taylor?), and I put in so much effort to try and get this. It was very 50/50 whether I’d get a 2:1 or a First and ultimately I’ve ended up a couple of marks under the threshold for a First. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but still I can’t help it.
I feel incredibly overwhelmed now about what to do after I graduate. Being a bit disappointed with my 2:1 has knocked my confidence and made me feel less excited to pursue the Master’s which I had lined up. The alternative is to get a job, but so far my applications end up being rejected.
I have been so excited to graduate, but now it represents a celebration of a grade I’ve still not completely come to terms with, and the start of a really unknown and therefore unsettling period of my life.
I really really wish I was still happy and excited to graduate as this will only happen once and I’d love to feel happy and proud of myself, as I know I should be. It’s kind of like I’m stopping myself seeing the positives and actually just how much I’ve been through this year particularly because of my disappointment, but I’m not sure how to reframe it in my mind?
Not sure what I’m looking for in posting this - perhaps anyone who has felt similarly, or any advice/words of wisdom?
Thank you in advance 🫶🏼
It’s not that I’m not happy with my results; I got a 2:1 and I know this is a great outcome for a difficult degree at a top university, and I have had some huge personal setbacks during my final year including a very upsetting breakup which completely threw my life into chaos for a while. But these setbacks made me hope to get a First even more to prove to myself that I could do it even with a broken heart (Taylor?), and I put in so much effort to try and get this. It was very 50/50 whether I’d get a 2:1 or a First and ultimately I’ve ended up a couple of marks under the threshold for a First. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but still I can’t help it.
I feel incredibly overwhelmed now about what to do after I graduate. Being a bit disappointed with my 2:1 has knocked my confidence and made me feel less excited to pursue the Master’s which I had lined up. The alternative is to get a job, but so far my applications end up being rejected.
I have been so excited to graduate, but now it represents a celebration of a grade I’ve still not completely come to terms with, and the start of a really unknown and therefore unsettling period of my life.
I really really wish I was still happy and excited to graduate as this will only happen once and I’d love to feel happy and proud of myself, as I know I should be. It’s kind of like I’m stopping myself seeing the positives and actually just how much I’ve been through this year particularly because of my disappointment, but I’m not sure how to reframe it in my mind?
Not sure what I’m looking for in posting this - perhaps anyone who has felt similarly, or any advice/words of wisdom?
Thank you in advance 🫶🏼
If it was masters, you would think of the masters.
If it was graduate job, you would think of it.
Reply 2
Original post by dancer01
I graduate in a couple of weeks, and since finding out my results I no longer feel excited about it. It’s really upsetting because I’ve looked forward to graduation all year, but with results representing the finished degree I suddenly feel very apprehensive about being expected to celebrate and be proud when I’m not necessarily feeling that way yet.
It’s not that I’m not happy with my results; I got a 2:1 and I know this is a great outcome for a difficult degree at a top university, and I have had some huge personal setbacks during my final year including a very upsetting breakup which completely threw my life into chaos for a while. But these setbacks made me hope to get a First even more to prove to myself that I could do it even with a broken heart (Taylor?), and I put in so much effort to try and get this. It was very 50/50 whether I’d get a 2:1 or a First and ultimately I’ve ended up a couple of marks under the threshold for a First. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but still I can’t help it.
I feel incredibly overwhelmed now about what to do after I graduate. Being a bit disappointed with my 2:1 has knocked my confidence and made me feel less excited to pursue the Master’s which I had lined up. The alternative is to get a job, but so far my applications end up being rejected.
I have been so excited to graduate, but now it represents a celebration of a grade I’ve still not completely come to terms with, and the start of a really unknown and therefore unsettling period of my life.
I really really wish I was still happy and excited to graduate as this will only happen once and I’d love to feel happy and proud of myself, as I know I should be. It’s kind of like I’m stopping myself seeing the positives and actually just how much I’ve been through this year particularly because of my disappointment, but I’m not sure how to reframe it in my mind?
Not sure what I’m looking for in posting this - perhaps anyone who has felt similarly, or any advice/words of wisdom?
Thank you in advance 🫶🏼
It’s not that I’m not happy with my results; I got a 2:1 and I know this is a great outcome for a difficult degree at a top university, and I have had some huge personal setbacks during my final year including a very upsetting breakup which completely threw my life into chaos for a while. But these setbacks made me hope to get a First even more to prove to myself that I could do it even with a broken heart (Taylor?), and I put in so much effort to try and get this. It was very 50/50 whether I’d get a 2:1 or a First and ultimately I’ve ended up a couple of marks under the threshold for a First. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but still I can’t help it.
I feel incredibly overwhelmed now about what to do after I graduate. Being a bit disappointed with my 2:1 has knocked my confidence and made me feel less excited to pursue the Master’s which I had lined up. The alternative is to get a job, but so far my applications end up being rejected.
I have been so excited to graduate, but now it represents a celebration of a grade I’ve still not completely come to terms with, and the start of a really unknown and therefore unsettling period of my life.
I really really wish I was still happy and excited to graduate as this will only happen once and I’d love to feel happy and proud of myself, as I know I should be. It’s kind of like I’m stopping myself seeing the positives and actually just how much I’ve been through this year particularly because of my disappointment, but I’m not sure how to reframe it in my mind?
Not sure what I’m looking for in posting this - perhaps anyone who has felt similarly, or any advice/words of wisdom?
Thank you in advance 🫶🏼
@dancer01
It's great that you have got on to a Masters course : )! You would not have been able to get on to that if they did not think you were capable of doing well, so all because you haven't got the first that you wanted, it doesn't take away from you as a person! You have said yourself that it's been a difficult year. You've shown real grit and determination to get through it! Those qualities are admirable and are the kind of qualities you will need going forward, much more than any result. You've done well, so you should be proud of yourself! You can now do this Masters or apply for jobs which may require a 2:1.
It's not easy applying for jobs, and there are many things that employers consider, usually it's how well you have met the person specification and the strength of your examples (so don't think this is to do with your result). It is more likely to be because of how many people applied for the role, the experience you have and how well you presented your skills or knowledge on the application form or cover letter. You can get help with job applications from your career service at your university.
You might feel a bit low now, but hopefully on graduation day when you are surrounded by friends and family and other graduates your mood will lift. You will be happy that you survived this university journey together. You'll be happy to be celebrated ( the gown, photos, food, drink and good wishes) and to be able to celebrate with and for others : ) It should be a really positive way to end three years, with the excitement of a new course to also look forward to!
If you are still not convinced about graduation day, then they do a graduation ceremony for a Masters, so all being well you will have another opportunity to graduate, and with an even higher qualification!
All the best with your Masters/job hunt,
Oluwatosin – 3rd year student – University of Huddersfield
Reply 3
valid
Reply 4
Hi OP,
I can relate a little bit to how you're feeling right now. Firstly, before I share my story though, I really wanna emphasise how well you've done, in the face of huge stress and turmoil, to have got that 2.1! I know a random Internet stranger saying that doesn't change how you feel, but I think it's important to say nonetheless.
My situation at undergrad was a bit like yours in that I underperformed. In my case, I got a 2.2 and spent a long time feeling very down about, ashamed of, and cheated by that classification. It didn't help that it took almost 2 years between my degree being awarded as a 2.2 and my having the graduation ceremony (due to a ****-up on my uni college's part, resulting in long backlogs for graduation ceremonies!)!
For me it felt very weird having a graduation ceremony for a degree that - by that point - I didn't remember doing (I'd been in a psychotic episode the last 6 months of the degree, and the whole classification counted on coursework and exams submitted/sat during those 6 months). It was a bit jarring, thinking about graduating. I did go ahead with attending the ceremony and I'm glad I did for two reasons:
1) It was the last time most of my friendship group were all together
and that was a special and sombre feeling
2) Years down the line, I've learnt to be proud of the fact that I got a degree at all (given I only did 0.5 days total of revision for all my six 3-hour-long exams), and that I overcame everything that I did! So it's nice to have the photos to mark that occasion, even though I wasn't feeling it at the time.
It can be really hard, prepping for a graduation ceremony that you feel ambivalent about attending. Be kind to yourself, keep talking to people about how you're feeling, and try and maybe write a list of everything you went through (sometimes it's easier to think about and be proud about when it's written down, imho!).
Solidarity and hugs!
I can relate a little bit to how you're feeling right now. Firstly, before I share my story though, I really wanna emphasise how well you've done, in the face of huge stress and turmoil, to have got that 2.1! I know a random Internet stranger saying that doesn't change how you feel, but I think it's important to say nonetheless.
My situation at undergrad was a bit like yours in that I underperformed. In my case, I got a 2.2 and spent a long time feeling very down about, ashamed of, and cheated by that classification. It didn't help that it took almost 2 years between my degree being awarded as a 2.2 and my having the graduation ceremony (due to a ****-up on my uni college's part, resulting in long backlogs for graduation ceremonies!)!
For me it felt very weird having a graduation ceremony for a degree that - by that point - I didn't remember doing (I'd been in a psychotic episode the last 6 months of the degree, and the whole classification counted on coursework and exams submitted/sat during those 6 months). It was a bit jarring, thinking about graduating. I did go ahead with attending the ceremony and I'm glad I did for two reasons:
1) It was the last time most of my friendship group were all together
and that was a special and sombre feeling2) Years down the line, I've learnt to be proud of the fact that I got a degree at all (given I only did 0.5 days total of revision for all my six 3-hour-long exams), and that I overcame everything that I did! So it's nice to have the photos to mark that occasion, even though I wasn't feeling it at the time.
It can be really hard, prepping for a graduation ceremony that you feel ambivalent about attending. Be kind to yourself, keep talking to people about how you're feeling, and try and maybe write a list of everything you went through (sometimes it's easier to think about and be proud about when it's written down, imho!).
Solidarity and hugs!
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