From Freshers to Firsts: Navigating the Novelty of Newly Graduated Life

By Ali O Mahoney

UCC’s Student and Young Alumni Engagement Officer Ali O’Mahony talks us through the highly anticipated next step of becoming a UCC Alumnae and gives us insights into the support the UCC Alumni Community can provide during such an invigorating, and daunting time. 

Remember your first day at UCC? The panic of getting the perfect ID photo, the frantic hunt for the right lecture hall while lost in the ORB, and the sheer excitement of having complete control over your own schedule (most of which was probably spent trying to work out your class schedule). Fast forward a few years, and suddenly, you’re standing on the grass of the quad (a novelty in itself) in a cap and gown, clutching a degree and thinking, “Wait... now what?” 

Welcome to new-grad life, where the unfamiliarity doesn’t cease, it just shifts into an entirely different (and slightly terrifying) gear. If university was all about discovering who you are, the first few years after graduation are about figuring out what you want to do with that newfound sense of self! 

The Honeymoon Phase:  

The first few months’ post-graduation can feel exhilarating. No more assignment deadlines, no more 9am lectures, no more panic surrounding what referencing style to use. Whether you’ve landed a dream job, started a postgraduate course, or are taking a gap year, it all feels new and exciting. You might even feel like you’re on top of the world, with everything falling into place. But life has a way of keeping things interesting, and that’s part of the adventure. 

The Reality Check: 

Then, maybe some of the newness wears off. You realise that “work” doesn’t always come with a Christmas break or a reading week. The rent doesn’t magically disappear. Sunday “scaries” take on a whole new meaning, and you're consumed with meal prepping lunches to bring to the office. Some friends move away, nights out become rarer, and suddenly, you miss the comfort of student life. Especially a classic Main Rest chicken roll! 

The Plot Twist: 

But here’s the good part, once you push through the post-college transition phase, you start to find your rhythm. You make new connections, learn to balance work and play, and discover what actually excites you outside of lecture halls and night’s out. The best part? There’s no set syllabus anymore, you get to define what success looks like. 

Words of Support from your Alumni Community 

Navigating a period of change is always difficult and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. We asked a few recent UCC graduates to share their best advice for navigating the new-grad rollercoaster. Here’s what they had to say: 

“Everybody does things at their own pace. Somebody from your course will have a job, others will be travelling, others will move home but it’s all valid. There’s no rush after graduation to find the next thing to do.”- 2023 Graduate 

To quote a cliché saying; “we are all doing the same race with different destinations.”  

“Stay in touch with your UCC connections.” – 2020 Graduate 

The friendships and networks you built in college are invaluable. You worked tirelessly for the duration of your degree, not only in completing assignments, and exams, but in the extra-curricular activities you were involved in. All these connections will stand to you in your graduate life. UCC’s Alumni Relations team also hosts events, networking opportunities, and mentorship programmes. Be sure to utilise the support available to you.

“Take some time to see what you actually want to do. There’s a lot of pressure from society to do drastic things after your undergrad. Take a step back and think about what is important to you and what will make you happy.”- 2023 Graduate 

Sometimes, the best step is taking a breath. Moving at a fast pace does not always equal success. Figure out your passions. Once you’ve set out some routes you’d be interested in, connect with alumni that hold similar trajectories, and talk it out. 

“Think outside the box with what doors your degree can unlock for you. Just because no one has pursued a certain career path using your degree doesn’t mean you can’t!”- 2022 Graduate 

Your degree is more than the content you studied. Did you show up to your lectures on time? Did you write multiple assignments? All of these skills are multi-disciplinary. Your degree didn’t merely teach you information on a particular subject but taught you invaluable skills to develop your sense of self. 

So, to all the new, or soon to be grads out there feeling a bit lost...welcome to the club. Being lost isn’t always a negative. In the words of Thoreau;“not until we are lost do we begin to find ourselves.” Being lost, like change, can of course feel uncomfortable, but that feeling forces us to question what we truly want, and allows us to gain a deeper level of self-awareness. 

The uniqueness of new-grad life is weird, wild, and wonderful. You’ve made it through your years of university. You’ll make it through this too (even if it takes a few moments of questioning along the way). As you navigate new-grad life, remember that UCC’s Alumni Team is always here to support you. The Alumni Relations Team is part of the UCC Advancement Office, and offers a wealth of resources, from career guidance and networking opportunities to exclusive events and mentorship programmes, so stay connected by visiting our website, and signing up to UCC Alumni Online (the Alumni Portal), attending alumni events, and following all our social media channels to make the transition that bit smoother. UCC’s alumni family is always there to welcome you back, and help you grow! 

Ali O’Mahony- Senior Advancement Officer for Students and Young Alumni  

alison.omahony@ucc.ie 

@uccalumniandfriends