Graduation - I did it!

I had my graduation on 23rd September, a week has flown by already! It was such a surreal and busy day, and I haven't really had chance to reflect on it since. I was really nervous on the build-up to graduation, including on the day, but as soon as I walked off the stage with my degree certificate in my hand I felt a huge weight lifted and began to breathe normally again. I had finally done it, I had my certificate and was now an official History graduate. Phew!
I am extremely proud of myself and I could see that all my family were too, it was such a happy day and I could not stop smiling. Of course, I could not stop smiling since my mother was very "snap happy" with the camera, but I couldn't blame her it was an event you'd want to document. I think some of the pictures my mother took were better than the professional photo I had taken... nevertheless you need that official photograph holding the scroll, don't you?

Also, I organised a small graduation meal with my friends to celebrate us all finally graduating. We went for a meal at Miller and Carter, it is an amazing steakhouse that does delicious steak if you have never heard of it and I would certainly recommend a visit if steak is your thing. It was a lovely meal, and was just really nice to catch up with everyone because we hadn't really seen each other since we finished university near the end of May. I wish my friends all the best for the future, and I certainly look forward to when we meet up again and can talk about all the exciting things that we have been up to!

Now, this is the part where it finally hits me that I have graduated (and no longer a student) and need to figure out my next step in life. I need to get a move on and start my career, which is proving to be a little difficult because I cannot decide what it is I want to do exactly. I am sure something will come my way eventually, but until then I will probably be frantically applying for every job possible as the pressure seems to be cracking down. Hopefully I will have some good news to share with you soon regarding this. Wish me luck!

Thank you for reading!

Lunch And Shopping!

On Friday, myself and my friend decided to go for food (this being my main concern of the day), and for a bit of shopping at the Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Brierly Hill, near Dudley.
We actually ordered so much food, and eventually came to the conclusion that our eyes were in fact bigger than our bellies. This left us with questions such as, why did we order our nacho starter to come with our main meal? And, why did I order that extra bowl of chips? Nevertheless, it was a yummy meal and exactly what I was waiting the entire week for!

Now, onto the shopping experience! What we really went shopping for was to look for graduation outfit ideas, but we did get a little sidetracked... However, my friend did manage to order a very pretty dress which could be her potential graduation outfit, so not all was lost during this trip. But for myself, I got distracted by all the autumnal clothes that are in stores. In my head summer is basically over and I am so ready for fluffy socks and jumpers. But, I have to be very budget friendly at the moment whilst I am still looking for work so I could not possibly purchase all the pretty things I really liked. Of course, I did buy a couple items that I will make full use of (this is the reasoning I used when buying them), and so I shall share them with you.

First off, are these two lovely fine-knitted jumpers from H&M. My eyes first found the grey knitted jumper, because the majority of the clothes I seem to wear are black and grey. However, this red number also called out to me as I browsed through the rails, and I simply could not decide between either of them so I just bought them both, as you do. They are perfect fine-knits for the autumn transitional weather! And, I just cannot wait to wear them. Also, there are more colours available in store which are tempting to purchase as well.

My final purchase of the day was this camel toggle coat from Primark. It was just one of those items that I simply couldn't walk past, and I did find myself again in great difficulty in deciding whether to buy the camel coloured coat or the black one. I eventually picked the camel one because I already have black coats, and this one will fit in nicely when autumn rolls along. It is very nice and warm with a lovely sheepskin-lined hood, but I am still on the fence as to whether or not I should keep it. What do you think?

What clothes are you purchasing in preparation for autumn?
Thanks for reading!

University results are in!

Hello there!
At the beginning of this week I received my results for my final year at university and I am very happy with my outcome because I worked so hard to get where I am (it's been a long and bumpy ride), and it finally paid off. There were lots of happy tears and I am still a little shocked!
It's not easy, and I know some people make it look that way, but I definitely don't think it is and if I didn't work as hard as I did I don't think I would have felt the satisfaction that I do now.

My friends at university also did very well with their results and I am really proud of them too because we all helped each other out, and I am pretty sure I wouldn't have made it this far without them. So, a big congratulations to us all and here's to the future!

Right now, I am really pleased and proud of myself. It is a huge sense of relief and I feel happy knowing that there are many doors open for me and I can choose any pathway that I want. Of course, I have the initial stress of what am I actually going to do with my life now I have a degree, but I know that I can do anything. If you put your time and effort into things, you can do practically anything you want!

So, for now I am just writing down potential ideas on a piece of paper and doing my research without stressing. I find that this is going to help me sort out my head and create a positive route to my ultimate career. Even if that means trying out jobs and finding out I don't like it, then that's fine because there's always going to be more opportunities out there. I think we get lost in the idea that there's no job for you when you leave university, but the reality is, that it's true no one is going to hand you a job and you've got to go out there and get it. The world really is your oyster and you can do anything with your life if you put your mind to it. (Small pep talk going on here sorry).

If you're like me, and you've just finished your university course and feel a little lost, I would simply advise you not to worry (mostly because it won't get you anywhere), but because you will eventually find your true calling. I mean, you've just got yourself a degree, that was the hard part right? You've shown that you've got the skills and ambition so I guarantee you'll give yourself the drive to find your dream career. So, give yourself a little break, enjoy the freedom you have while you've got it, and do the things you couldn't do while you were studying because you've worked your butt off for it!

For me, I am excited to find out what the world has got to offer me, and I really cannot wait to graduate in front of my family and friends in September! Hip hip hooray!