Is There Life After Graduation?

When I got my Bachelor’s degree on a random Sunday afternoon, I did not feel anything. I was sick and wanted only one thing: sleep. Some water would have been nice, too.

It’s been two weeks since I’ve finished my 18 years in preschool, school, and university. I do not remember ever living as a non-student. In high school and university, I often thought of this day with a panic fear. When someone asked my younger self, “So, what are your plans after you’re done?”, my heart would shrink, and my palms would cover in cold sweat.

But as I graduated, I felt peace. At once, I did not owe anything to anyone. I did not owe my professors schoolwork, and I did not owe my parents any more achievements. I’ve done everything everyone wanted, and now I was free.

Thoughts started crossing my mind: “I could go to Cuba right now, and no one can stop me,” “I could marry,” “I could apply for Master’s,” “I could rent an apartment and buy a rabbit.” This world of possibilities is not scary at all. It’s exciting and peaceful at the same time.

I do not rush to dive in. I take it as slow as I can. My day consists of sleeping, working 8 hours, spending time with my family, doing housework, and going to sleep. There is no deadline to look out for. Just starting my 20s, I have all the time in the world.

Am I afraid of procrastinating and postponing my dreams until I’m 40? Also no. First of all, I have no ‘big dream’ I have to achieve to die in peace. Second, I have never been the type of person to sit around and do nothing.

Academia makes you think that life is about deadlines. In academia, life is deadlines. Everything is time-sensitive and seeking your attention. Everything screams, “You are not doing enough.”

Academia is right about many things, but it was wrong this time. Life has just one deadline, and it’s death. Until it comes, I have no reason to hurry.