GRADUATION!

The countdown is over! Graduation has now been and gone and after 3 amazing years at Swansea University I have now officially graduated with a first class honours degree in Media Studies. When I got my results last month I was so happy and relieved and couldn't believe that after all the essays, exams and stress that comes with it that I had managed to get a first!

Me in my graduation outfit!

My graduation day was last Monday and I woke up absolutely dreading it but as the congregation started I realised this was a time for celebration not something to be scared of. I ended up having a really enjoyable day celebrating my achievements with my family and friends from my course and found myself feeling quite emotional as I realised my university experience was over. As this blog has been my 'countdown to the real world', this post on graduation seems a necessary addition and I have decided to share with you some of my most memorable university experiences and some pictures from my graduation celebrations. Also, to all the other media studies graduates I just want to say a big congratulations...we did it!

Graduation: 3 years on.

Hayley on her graduation day in 2008.

"The huge sense of achievement you feel when you have finally finished uni is so completely worth it, trust me!"

Hayley Hughes was a straight A student at school and had always dreamed of working abroad after finishing her modern European languages degree at Durham University. After becoming pregnant during her first year,Hayley's priorities changed but she decided to continue with her studies through the Open University. Hayley graduated in 2008 with a first class honours degree in English Language and has managed to avoid being one of the thousands of unemployed graduates in the UK. Hayley has agreed to do this interview today to share her unconventional university experience, to tell us what she has been up to career wise since graduation and to give personal advice to all the struggling final year students out there.

My top 5 student blogs.

With only three months to go until I hand in all my final year university assignments, I feel now is the perfect time to start a blog about how I feel about leaving my student life behind and entering the world of employment. Over the past few months I have spent hours searching the internet for jobs and employment advice but I have been left feeling worse than ever as apparently there are no jobs out there!

Reading about unemployment statistics can be quite depressing, so I have decided to turn to the blogosphere in an attempt to find some inspirational, personal stories from graduates who have found their dream jobs. So far I haven't had much luck but I have found some interesting blogs about student life and finding employment that I would like to talk to you about.