I Graduated! Life after University
- Nov 28, 2022
- 5 min read
Two weeks ago I officially graduated from University in a beautiful ceremony held in York Minster, surrounded by all the lovely people I had spent the past three years with. It was such a special day and I am so glad I got to have my nearest and dearest with me, alongside the lifelong friendships and connections I made at University. It's been about six months since I left University, so this week I took some time to reflect on the highs, the lows, and what I have learnt within these months since leaving University.
The Highs
To say the last six months have been crazy would be an understatement. I have found myself throwing myself into every opportunity I can and it has resulted in some surreal moments that I previously wouldn't have thought possible. Within a few months of graduating, my final major project was selected to feature in the Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield for their 'Specimen Cabinet' exhibition. It was my first time exhibiting outside of the University environment and a milestone in my professional career.
Since that exhibition, various works have featured in exhibitions primarily at D31 Art Gallery in my hometown. These exhibits have been a huge learning curve for me, as I have navigated strict gallery guidelines and battled with mirror plates more times than I ever did at University! Delivering work to exhibition standard has felt very daunting without the security of University, but it has broadened my horizons as to how I can share my work with the public. Truthfully, I said I would never exhibit in a gallery in my second year at University, yet here I am eating my words! The community at D31 has totally changed my perspective of gallery exhibiting and I am so grateful for all their kindness, support, and for providing these opportunity to local practitioners.
Another positive that has emerged since leaving University is the blog! I never saw myself as a writer in any sense of the word but feedback from my lecturers over the past three years has given me a new found confidence in my writing, and my voice in the photographic community. My lecturers (hello if you read this!), especially my dissertation tutor, encouraged me to continue writing, which led to the creation of this blog. Writing every week has given me so much joy, regardless of how many people read the articles, and provides another outlet for me to share thoughts and ideas with you all!
The Lows
Naturally, with the peaks come troughs. I really struggled with the loss of routine when University ended, the change in location as I moved back to my hometown, and the sudden feeling that you're on your own. I managed to distract myself the first few weeks with the help of a Harry Styles gig and a dance show to photograph but that dreaded question of "what do I do now?" still lingered in the background.
Despite the opportunities that I have been lucky to receive, there have been numerous rejections and non-responses along the way. Thankfully, I think growing up surrounded by dance and performing arts has allowed me to take rejection pretty well. In an audition, you often don't even get a response, or you can be cut before you even step two feet into the room. Rejection can be tough on your confidence, especially when it feels like rejection is all you're getting. I have learnt that it's just something I have to accept and a lot of the time, that rejection redirects you to an opportunity more aligned with your aspirations and values. If you would like, I can write an entire blog on dealing with rejection, just let me know!
The Lessons
The most important lesson I have learnt after leaving University, is that it's okay to NOT know what you want to do! Even when you have just set one foot out the door and you are being bombarded with the age old questions of "so what are you doing next?" and "when are you getting a job?", it is okay to say you don't know (or, do what I do, and simply not answer!) You may find your peers have a plan of action, which is fantastic if they do, but it is still perfectly fine if you don't.
You just completed your degree. Be proud of yourself and give yourself a break! This is not an end but a beginning, whatever you choose to do.
This leads nicely onto lesson number two I have learnt, six months after leaving, keep your options open. Not just, a little open, I mean WIDE open. In order to find your feet post-graduation, you have to try different things. This will allow you to find your likes and dislikes. What elements of your practice give you the most joy? What work provides you with the most fulfilment? Trying new practices, working different roles, volunteering for new opportunities will help you answer these questions and eventually you will begin to find direction. This may take weeks, months, or even years. These things take time! Your perspective will change outside of University, so go at your pace, keep researching, and don't be afraid to veer from your comfort zone.
The final lesson I will share this week, and another important lesson I have learnt to come to terms with, is that it's okay if your practice changes. In fact, it's okay if you take a break from creating or take a different route altogether. You gain various transferable skills through a creative degree such as curation, project managing, art history etc. There is much more to being an artist than solely creating, and all these skills can be used to apply for art-related opportunities!
At University, you are in this creative bubble, surrounded by your peers, encouraged to be creative and constantly receiving feedback. There is so much to be inspired by. When you leave, navigating your creative practice can feel extremely difficult outside of that environment.
Keep experimenting, keep playing, and have fun!
You may find your practice changes or you start working with new mediums. I have started experimenting more with cyanotype printing after University and it has been refreshing to create differently. Your practice will be ever-changing, so don't be afraid to move in different directions.
Graduating has been one of the best and most nerve-racking times of my life. I am learning to embrace this period, allowing myself to try new things, make mistakes and learn more about myself and my practice. I hope you have enjoyed this reflection of my graduate experience so far, maybe I'll update this in a year! If you're graduating soon or don't have long left of your degree, I hope the lessons shared will give you some comfort that life after graduation, while challenging can be so rewarding. Try not to compare your path to what everyone else is doing. Everyone's journey is different, enjoy yours!
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