Written by Paige Dimery-Seek

For some, growing up quickly and leaving the “shackles and chains” of education, seems like the door to freedom and possibilities. You’re filled with hope and excitement for what the future holds, endless possibilities. 

And it can be!

However, from what can be observed, children tend to look at what’s ahead of them and adults tend to focus on the past.

All those juicy regrets and things you wish you could’ve done differently, but also reminiscing about simpler times. 

The notion of adults always looking back at their childhoods, would explain why they struggle to cope mentally when in a working environment. 

Childhood innocence can give a false perception of how the world works and what expectations you have. 

  • Structure.
  • Social settings.
  • A helping hand.
  • Endless chances.

The list goes on and on of what school has to offer. Compare that to a working lifestyle, where shifts are chaotic, timetables aren’t set in stone and the support system is limited in some establishments. 

It’s a lot to take in as a teenager just leaving school. 

Cruel world

Back in 2017, GSM London surveyed millennials and how they’re coping in the workplace. From the responses, over a quarter stated they were “unhappy” and over 85% also thought they “weren’t putting their ambitions into practice”. 

The article predicted that by 2020, it would only get worse.

The generation who were told they could have anything and be anyone is now the generation who feel they have nothing to gain from their careers. 

Great Expectations 

School tries to prepare you for all the responsibilities that life has for you once you leave those reception doors for the last time. Yet unfortunately, you can never be truly ready.

It’s normal to feel like your first few jobs don’t fit. It can knock your confidence to know you’re not completely happy and fulfilled. 

After leaving school, there’s suddenly a lot of pressure to start work and losing that first job (for whatever circumstances) can be especially disappointing.

But there’s no specific timeline you have to stick to and it’s perfectly normal to try out different career paths. 

By the ages of 30-40, a large portion of adults decided to change career paths. Whether it’s because they feel there’s no way forward at their current employment, or they find a brand-new interest and passion that they would prefer to do as a career. 

Work experience is valuable.

You can get a feel for what works for you and what doesn’t. 

Additionally, the experience you gain from school can also contribute to helping you get through the adult world. 

Relate a lot of situations back to school and suddenly, things start to seem a little less daunting. 

Going to many interviews can also help boost your confidence when it comes to selling yourself in front of future potential employers, so just because you may have attended many interviews in the past, it’s nothing to be ashamed about.

New To The Job Scene

Change can be a lot for people to deal with. As creatures of habit, we (for the most part) thrive on routine and certainty. 

It’s scary to suddenly be in full control of your life, but being scared is a normal reaction, plus it allows your body and mind to prepare for that important interview you have in a week; or even your first day on the job.  

It’s important to ask yourself:  ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’

Take the experience learned from school, where you were pushed into new, fearful scenarios and yet you did it and now it’s just a slightly uncomfortable memory to look back on. 

That is essentially how every awkward or disorganised interview will end up being.  Chances are, your potential employer won’t remember the interaction after that day.

In comparison, it’s just like your teacher most likely forgetting when you called them mum in the middle of class that one time.

Something to take from this blog is that it’s natural to feel out of place in the adult world and for it to seem like everyone else has it all worked out. 

Someone is always one step ahead of you and you’re always going to be a step ahead of someone else. 

Enjoy the experience and all those first times as a new adult and embrace the change.

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