Katie’s Archives: Self-Discovery in Graduate Life

Jacqueline Rappa

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As students venture into graduate life, many face the challenges of adapting to new cities, forging ahead in their careers, and adjusting to the demands of long working hours. Amid these long days, personal time becomes scarce, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

This was the case for Katie, also known as @katies.archives on TikTok, a recent graduate navigating the unpredictable territory of life after university. In an interview with Empoword, Katie shared that in the face of this new chapter, she encountered the all-too-familiar growing pains that often accompany the transition into the world outside of academia.

“Connection is a basic human need. When it’s not fulfilled, this can lead to physical and mental strain.”

For those in their early 20s, the community found at school or university – from attending regular classes, being involved in student clubs, and being constantly surrounded by friends – is now dispersed. Having gained newfound autonomy over their schedules, these individuals are now tasked with allocating time to invest in finding a new support system.

However, despite the uncertainty of these transitional years, there is the opportunity for self-discovery. Pursuing personal passions can be a guiding light for navigating life after graduation.

https://twitter.com/meetzem0nsta/status/1750703289534992710

Workplace Burnout and Operating on Autopilot

Initially, full-time job demands leave post-graduates feeling like there is little time for personal pursuits, especially when feeling burnt out from a nine to five. Many feel disconnected from their peers and the world around them.

According to a Future Forum poll conducted in 2022, almost half (48 per cent) of the full-time on-site workers under 30 surveyed across the United States and the United Kingdom said they experienced burnout at their workplace.

“I made a space to foster these connections because they were the most important thing that I did post-grad.”

Burnout often accompanies repetitive routines before and after work, leaving many caught in a seemingly endless cycle. While a routine is productive and beneficial, it leaves minimal time for community building outside the workplace. There is a correlation between having a sense of belonging and overall well-being. Connection is a basic human need. When it’s not fulfilled, this can lead to physical and mental strain. 

Connecting Through Hobbies

More and more post-grads are turning to hobbies to break free from the monotony and rediscover a sense of purpose beyond the confines of work.

A recent Gallup poll showed that 66 per cent of Americans aged between 18 and 34 agreed that hobbies were “extremely” or “very” important to them. Reconnecting with or discovering new passions, such as art, travelling, or content creation, has become a source of creativity many crave. 

In conversation with Katie, she expressed, “What I have learned about hobbies is that they give me a sense of purpose and fulfilment.” Her daily activities include reading, exercising, journaling, cooking, spending time with friends, walking her dog, and caring for an elderly couple with dementia on the weekends. She explained how participating in various hobbies stimulates different parts of her mind outside her career.

“life after college can be just as fun, if not more so, than the university experience”

Katie documents her pursuit of these hobbies on TikTok, inspiring others to do the same. Her story serves as a reminder that it is normal to feel a little lost after graduating. She noticed a lack of candid discussions on the app about the challenges of post-graduate life, and she took the initiative to break the silence and share her experiences.

Self-Exploration as a Graduate

Through her account, Katie has nurtured a community and embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery, pursuing what works best for her. She shared, “We are all just trying our best to do what we think is right, and that looks different for everybody. So I made a space to foster these connections because they were the most important thing that I did post-grad.” 

After graduation, what next?

— Maama Kampala (@MaamaKampala21) January 30, 2024

Another content creator, Emma, also known as @eggmcmuffinofficial on TikTok, shares valuable post-grad advice with her followers. She outlines recommendations for optimising free time after work, categorising activities into exercise, creative pursuits, side hustles, group activities, and solo endeavours. 

The key for Emma is to maximise the hours before and after work and engage in daily activities to avoid repetition. She understands graduate loneliness and emphasises the importance of nurturing friendships during this transitional period. Scheduling time for friends, even if it’s just once a month, is crucial. She believes life after college can be just as fun, if not more so, than the university experience.

Finding Balance in Graduate Life