With exams wrapping up, third years are getting a glimpse of the beautiful freedom that is life after uni.

We all have high hopes for what will happen after our uni days are finished. Sometimes, the reality doesn’t quite match up.

Expectation: I’ll Get An Awesome Job Straight Away

Reality: The Retail Life Is Real

The biggest lie uni tells us is that we’ll end up with a job at the end. No, sir-ee. Expect to keep waiting tables and folding jumpers neatly for another year or so. Well, that’s what the stats are saying anyway.

But don’t worry! There are benefits to being underemployed too.

Expectation: Can Finally Move Out Of My Parents House

Reality: Still Can’t Afford Rent

Even though you can pick up way more hours at your job now that uni has wrapped up, rent is still ridiculously high. You might have to wait a few more months before you and your mates scrape together enough for a share house.

And if you do get a share house, don’t throw away those packets of two-minute noodles anytime soon. The broke side of student life isn’t over yet.

Expectation: I Can Travel Whenever I Want

Reality: A Trip Up The Coast Would Be Nice

Say you do score yourself a job after graduation (congrats!), you’ll soon start to realise how little time and money you have for travelling.

While uni gave us months of the year to book trips in, the working life only gives us four weeks a year. Plus, on our starting salary, we’re lucky to afford petrol for a trip up the coast let alone a quick trip to Bali.

Farewell, travelling life. It was great while it lasted.

Expectation: Adult Life Is Scary

Reality: Adult Life Isn’t So Bad

Being a fully grown adult in the world seems terrifying. It feels almost impossible that we could do it on our own. But shifting your mindset and embracing the adult world is actually a lot easier than you think.

Boring? Yes. A bit of a joy kill? Totally. But definitely not hard.

Grown-up life will slowly creep up on you, and you’ll find it easier and easier to adapt to new responsibilities. It’s all baby steps.

Expectation: I’ll Always Work In The Field Of My Degree

Reality: Lol, Nah

Just because you get a degree in teaching doesn’t mean you’ll be a teacher forever. Just because you have a degree in engineering, doesn’t mean you’ll be an engineer forever. In fact, you’ll have a million (correction: more like five or six) different careers in your lifetime. So while you might think your degree is the be all and end all, think again.

Keep your options open!

(Lead image: Younger/TV Land)