University Graduates

Is it common for recent university graduates to go thru a period of self-deception and fantasy...?

....before they discover their real direction in life, career-wise? How long does this period last? I feel both liberated and paralized at the same time. And I fear that my hopes for the future are not somehow grounded in reality.... Dr. Bob? LOL Daisy... thanks :)

Public Comments

1. You've worked your butt off, running on the hamster wheel to get to that goal you've dreamed of for so long. Now you're there. Now you have to do something with it. How effing scary is THAT?!! Everyone's happy for you, everyone's watching to see you become the great success you've all been waiting for. OMFG!!! Don't worry, totally normal...you're freaking out a little but it's okay. One day at a time, one step at a time, one test (or interview) at a time. That's how you got here, that's how you'll get where you're going. Wish I had a magic wand, but I don't. So I'll just wish you the best of luck.
2. That is completely understandable. Echoing the recent response, you have toiled not only through 3-4 years of structured academia (one could argue even since kindergarten :) ), and then the university basically shoves you out the door (so they can bring in more students through the sausage factory). Having this freedom can be daunting, and may require some introspection about what you can see yourself doing in the next 5 - 10 years. I travelled during my period of transition into the work world. The length of time can vary - some adjust quite easily into career-mode, others may float for a while longer. Give yourself a rough timeline you feel you can do this (not set in stone, but to provide closure so that you don't go off on an irreversible tangent). Some never feel ready, and continue to grad school! Good luck with your self-exploration!