The Struggles of a Graduate.

Hey there, my name is Mereze, I’m 20 years old, and this is my story as a recent graduate. I feel like the world is moving at full speed while I’m stuck in slow motion, trying to catch up but never quite making it. I know I should be doing something with my life learning skills, building a career, making my parents proud — but the truth is, I barely know where to start.

Yes, this is more of an outpour, sometimes I often feel like I’m caught in a cycle, a cycle of self-doubt, missed chances, and the heavy burden of expectations that seem almost unbearable. Growing up in Nigeria, a vibrant country full of energy and hope yet facing numerous challenges, I’ve always felt like I was in a race I could never quite win.

As a recent graduate leaving school feels like something I never thought would happen anytime soon, but how time flies I guess. Every morning, I wake up under a cloud of anxiety. I know I lack the skills that many of my peers possess, and honestly, part of me is just lazy too comfortable in my own inertia to push myself harder. Most days I spend half my time bed rotting, or doom-scrolling through social media, which of course isn’t much of a great route to follow for the goals I've set for myself and as sweet as the aforementioned activities stated above are, they unfortunately lead to nothing of high caliber.

Although school felt like an endless battle, and while I manage to attend classes, I often find myself drifting through lectures, unable to connect with the material or discover my passion. There are days when I sit alone in my small room, scrolling through job listings either on social media i.e. *Instagram, Twitter(X).or even on main online job platforms like fiverr, Upwork *etc. and feeling the sting of rejection before I even submit an application. It seems like every job requires a long list of qualifications I simply don’t have. The pressure of Nigeria’s developing economy weighs heavily on me, making every small setback feel monumental. I know deep down that my struggles are not unique — people my age, from all over the world, face similar battles with insecurity, uncertainty, and the relentless pursuit of validation.

Yet, as much as I wrestle with these challenges, I also see the beauty in our shared human experience. I’ve met friends from various backgrounds who remind me, “We’re all trying to find our way”, and that brings me some comfort. We laugh at our mistakes, cry over our setbacks, and keep pushing forward, even when the path ahead is unclear.

In moments of self-reflection, I remind myself that each day is an opportunity to try again. I may not have all the skills or the motivation right now, but I’m learning that sometimes, being vulnerable is the first step toward growth. I share my story not to dwell on my shortcomings, but that it’s okay to struggle, to be not so perfect, and to find strength in the collective effort of a generation trying to make sense of a complicated world. but it also doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put in effort, cause someone like myself that is a recent graduate, life is coming at me pretty fast, and I should know better and buckle up to prepare myself for the storm ahead cause I know it’s going to be a big one.

Welp, this is my journey so far a blend of uncertainty and quiet determination. And if my story resonates with even one person out there, then perhaps, in our shared struggles, we can find the courage to push beyond our limits and create our own path to a brighter future.

I’ll end this piece with these wise words.

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear”.

~Rosa Parks