Keeping passion alive post-university 

3 mins read

April 10 – that was the deadline that marked the end of my time studying at the University of Stirling. It was a date I had memorised for almost a year, but it was one I never expected to catch up to me so quickly.

From January to now, I have spent most of my time writing, or thinking about writing, my final project. So when I turned it in, it felt like a part of my mind had just disappeared.

After seeing that blast of confetti fill my phone screen when I submitted my last piece of academic work, it felt like an anticlimactic way to mark the end of my time as a student. But at least I’ve still got Brig, for now. 

During my time as a student, I believe I’ve experienced close to the full breadth of what the true “student experience” is. From messy club nights, razor-thin assignment turn-ins, and running around Stirling city centre dressed as a chicken, I feel like I’ve not missed out at all.

But I still feel like something’s missing.

I’m sure plenty of other fourth years are feeling the same as me. We’ve all spent the last four years working towards a degree that’s felt like forever away, but here we are. With graduation on its way as well, it just feels like another deadline. It’s been deadline, after deadline, after deadline, for all my adult life – and I just need a break.

But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel at least a little bit guilty about this feeling. 

All the time I’ve got now feels unearned; if I’m not writing for the university or Brig, then what else am I supposed to do? Chasing a job with the degree I’ve earned is at the top of the agenda, but that hunt is almost as disheartening as the feeling of leaving university itself.

So, what I’ve done since is what I’ve been doing for the last four years – I’ve been writing. Not for Brig, but for myself. I’ve taken to writing fiction. None of it is good by any means, but I’ve secretly always wanted to be an author. 

In a way, not much has changed since April 10. My outlook on writing remains the same: if I’m not writing, then I should be thinking about writing. I’m always going to chase a story, even if the stories I’m writing now aren’t real at all. 

Featured Image Credit: Ali Rees

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Fourth year Film and Journalism student
Deputy editor

Contact - deputyeditor@brignews.com

Fourth year Film and Journalism student
Deputy editor

Contact - deputyeditor@brignews.com

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