May is often a busy and intense time at University. Across the various stages of study, the pressure to have everything figured out can feel heavy. In this piece, postgraduate student Lola* offers a gentle reminder that it’s okay not to have all the answers and or know what you're going to do next...
University can sometimes feel like a race you didn’t realise you signed up for. At some point, the conversations start to shift. People begin talking about graduate schemes, internships, return offers, five-year plans… and suddenly it feels like everyone has their life mapped out, except you.
As an international master’s student, that pressure can feel even heavier. There’s the expectation to succeed academically, secure a graduate job, and make the most of your time here in the UK all within a very short space of time. Add in a competitive environment and constant comparison, and it can start to feel overwhelming. I’ve definitely felt that pressure especially on a time limited visa.
There’s this unspoken idea that by the end of your degree, you should have everything figured out: what you’re doing next, where you’re going, who you’re becoming. And if you don’t, it can feel like you’re falling behind.
I’ll be honest: I don’t have a graduate job lined up yet (I know). And for a while, that really bothered me. It made me question whether I was doing enough, whether I was “on track”, and even, at times, whether I was somehow behind everyone else. But over time, I’ve had to challenge that thinking.
What I’ve started to realise is that most people are figuring things out as they go, even the ones who seem like they have it all together. Growth doesn’t always look like having a perfect plan. Sometimes it looks like trying things, changing direction, facing uncertainty, and learning along the way. And that’s not failure, that’s part of the process.
For me, a big shift has been understanding that my identity is not defined by my degree or whether I have a job secured. It’s easy to tie your worth to achievements, especially in a high-performing environment, but I’ve had to remind myself that my value doesn’t come from a job title or an offer.
As someone with faith, I find peace in trusting that God has a plan for my life, even when I can’t see it clearly yet. That doesn’t mean I stop working hard or applying for opportunities, but it does mean I don’t let uncertainty define me or diminish my sense of worth. Instead of focusing on having everything perfectly figured out, I’ve started focusing on growth.
- Building skills such as learning Python.
- Exploring interests.
- Trying new things like the Ukelele, it has been really fun.
- Getting involved in the Black Students' Network.
- Taking time to reflect with God.
Those small, consistent steps matter more than we think.
It’s also important to remember that social media and everyday conversations only show a small part of people’s lives. It might seem like everyone else is ahead, but we’re all on different timelines, facing different challenges, and figuring things out in our own way. Comparison only adds pressure that we don’t need.
If you’re reading this and feeling like you don’t have it all figured out, You’re not alone. You’re not behind. You’re not a failure. You’re not any less valuable because you don’t have a secured graduate role.
University isn’t just about reaching a final destination. It’s about developing, learning, and discovering who you are and sometimes, the most important growth happens in seasons of uncertainty.
So, take the pressure off yourself a little.
Keep going. Keep learning. Keep trusting the process.
You don’t need to have it all figured out, not yet.
*This student asked to remain anonymous. Their name has been changed.
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