top of page

Signs You’re in Your Final Year of University

  • Writer: Head Editor
    Head Editor
  • May 31, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jun 10, 2023

I’m now at the business end of my university degree. Five years seemed like such a long time, but at the risk of sounding old, I’ve only just realised how quickly university goes by. On the brink of real life, I’ve realised a number of things happen to you as you reach the end of your degree.


The people in first-year law classes look about five years old

Maybe you’re like me, and you’ve shuffled your degree around. Your last year could have a first-year subject here, a compulsory third-year subject there – but, it’s basically hell. Mostly because your classes go over things you’ve heard a thousand times before, like why plagiarism is bad, proofreading is good and so on. Or talking to a fellow classmate about what they did over the weekend to hear ‘Oh, I didn’t go out. I’m not 18 yet.

Those were the days. This brings me to the next problem.

You don’t understand what your classmates are saying

An actual quote from a student in one of my classes: ‘What?! A 2000-word essay?! That’s the most words I’ve ever written in my life!’ Oh, kids. You’re in for a rough ride. But of course, what happens when you’re in classes full of youth is.

It gives you a false sense of confidence because of your ‘experience’

Puh-lease. 2,000 words? I can do that in a day. I’ve done bigger assignments in less time than that before. Famous last words. Every.Single.Time.

You lament the friends that have already graduated

Have you developed abandonment issues? I have. Friends who have done a single bachelor, or a couple of summer subjects to speed up the process or are wandering overseas on exchange years, can make making new friends a little difficult when you’re missing the people who used to be in your classes.

But the good thing is, if you do anything embarrassing, there are enough new students to have no idea who you are.

Like what yours truly did recently, rocking up to a unibar and face planting on the freshly spilt beer. But not knowing anyone in the large group of youths can mean not embarrassing yourself. It’s the little things, you know?

There’s the lost-time regret

Which can include the whole ‘why didn’t I maintain a distinction average’, and, ‘why didn’t I try and find work experience earlier’ to the ‘why didn’t I go to the uni bar more.’ And then…

You wonder where people get their ‘adult’ clothes from

Once you actually manage to get some real experience, you may start to realise that you’re going to need more than one ‘business jacket’. This could mean a visit to a department store you’ve never been to, where the salespeople can practically smell your fear and sense that you actually have no money.

People start talking to you about graduate jobs and salaries

This is difficult because being in your final year of university means that you can have wildly different expectations of what ‘no money means’ when talking with grown-up, real-life professionals:

‘You don’t want to enter into community legal centres. There’s no money in them.

‘Uh… what do you mean no money?’

‘You know, like 50 grand.’

‘Uh yes… That’s no money.

The real world looks a little terrifying

All that talk of career advancement, graduate jobs, training programs, and people telling you that the job market is terrible can give you the case of the jitters. This can make taking another year at university to write a long-winded thesis start to look really appealing.

If anyone had asked me at the beginning of my university degree whether I’d take an honours year after five years of uni I would have laughed in their face. But then the thought of finding a job, deciding whether to take a break and do some travel, not having a concession pass anymore and having to pay full price for public transport – means that Honours is starting to sound like a great idea.


Teachers look at you with nostalgia

Of course, you’ll bump into a Professor here and there. And the conversation will always go like this:

‘You’re still here?! I remember when you were a first year! How long has it been now?’

*Cue nostalgic glance into the distance while you try and slink away*

But it doesn’t stop there…

Conversations with family members generally end up like this:

‘You’re STILL at uni? When are you graduating?’

Yes and believe me I can't wait until I graduate either. I'm so close!

Enjoyed this post? Sign up for the Survive Law weekly newsletter for more.

28 Comments


Avni patel
Avni patel
4 days ago

 Want a head start after 10th? GrowthWonders offers a Diploma in Digital Marketing after 10th for early learners. Gain skills in SEO, social media, and online branding. A career-focused course with job support and practical training. Start your professional journey early with GrowthWonders and build your digital future from now.


Like

Game Scrandle
Game Scrandle
Jun 23

Scrandle is the ultimate snack showdown for football lovers. You’re shown two meals – can you guess which one fans love more? Play, guess, and snack your way to streak domination.

Like

definite.viper.svdt
Jun 17

Ever feel overwhelmed by big decisions after graduation? I did! I considered backpacking through Europe to avoid the job hunt, but ultimately landed an internship. It helped me figure out my path. Anyone else ever procrastinate on real-world responsibilities with classic arcade games? Happy Pacman 30th Anniversary !

Like

Gerard Daniel
Gerard Daniel
May 16

域名:duck-duck-clicker-3d.com 关键词:duck duck clicker 3d 将域名和关键词组成锚文本,并合理的融合到文章中,我主要是做谷歌外链,你要符合谷歌SEO白皮书,注意关键词密度,链接数量。 格式:纯文本格式,里面的域名一定要完整带入纯文本写进去,别加html代码,关键词也要写出来。 字数:100字 语言:英文 然后再写一份中文的

Like

Gerard Daniel
Gerard Daniel
May 16

As you approach your final year of university, the reality of adulthood hits hard. From nostalgic professors to awkward encounters with freshmen, the wacky flip from student to graduate is both exciting and daunting. Whether it’s scrambling for "adult" clothes or dreading job talks, the transition is real. For more insights on surviving law school, check out https://wacky-flip-game.com/. Embrace the wacky flip of life—it’s all part of the journey.

Like

In the spirit of reconciliation, Survive Law acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

© Survive Law 2023

bottom of page