Graduation| Goodbye To University...

So after three verrry long years, this week I finally became a university Graduate (Hooooraaaaaah!) and you must now address me Lauryn Williams BA (Hons)... just kidding.. kinda.

Graduation is what can only be described as an American-ism... and unfortunately only something University Graduates can experience in the UK, which seems such a shame because after Monday, I honestly believe that everyone should experience such an amazing day.

You don't realise how important the last three years have really been until you're stood in front of your family donning your Harry Potter-esque robes with a weird hat on your head, but trust me, it's so worth it. Even though your time to shine on stage is literally ten seconds long, it's one of the proudest ten seconds of your life, so if you're soon to graduate... own those ten seconds!

Looking back now, university was such a roller coaster ride for me, but I wouldn't change any of it. It's made me who I am today, and without it I wouldn't have made the friends I have or experienced half of the things I did, and for that I am truly grateful, plus nine year old me literally died when not only did I get my degree... but got my degree from childhood hero Jacqueline Wilson!

So I guess what I'm really trying to say in all of this is a huuuuge thank you to all of my family, and friends and of course my fiance for sticking with me for the last three years, through the tears and tantrums, I couldn't have done it without you all.

I'll leave some snaps from the day below, and if you're soon to graduate, enjoy every second, you earned it!

Love Lauryn (BA Hons) xo

The 9 Stages Of Graduate Life

So, referencing is a thing of the past and word counts are distant memory, you are officially a graduate, and here are the many stages between your last moments of freedom and officially becoming an adult...


1. Freedom - Nothing says 'congrats for surviving the last three years' like the sense of freedom that comes with submitting that last essay... cue weird happy dance.

2. Netflix Addiction - Next will come endless days of festering in bed making the most of that Netflix subscription along with a newfound relationship with carbs. It's fine, you totally earned this.

3. The Realisation of Results Day - The panic begins to set in as you frequently check your email just in case they send the results early. Never know, could happen.

4. Actual Results Day - A day of staring at the computer screen eagerly awaiting perhaps the most important email of your life - minus the 50% of Kurt Geiger, of course, all amounting to whether the last three years have been worth the ridiculous debt you soon have to face.

5. 'I have a degree' - You tell everyone, every chance you get. The nice man in the shop? Yep. The lady in the bank? Totally fine. It even becomes your new comeback 'Whatever, I have a degree.'

6. Let The Job Hunt Begin - Armed with your degree, and a graduate-esque confidence you are ready to search for your dream job and become a glamorous city worker with a Louis Vuitton in one hand, and a cocktail in the other.

7. 'I'll never get a job' - After the 56783th rejection email entitled 'Dear Applicant' you begin to wonder whether you have enough qualifications to apply for vacancy as a cleaner in McDonalds let alone become a city girl.

8. Getting A Job - So the admin job that requires a bus, two trains and three different tubes isn't quite the job you'd imagined, 'Christmas Holidays' now means four days instead of four weeks and your 'early start' is practically in the middle of the night. Tutors failed to mention the chances of you getting the dream job you've studied three years for and this is how you feel about them right now...

9. 'I wish I was a Fresher' - The pain you feel when you hear a Fresher say they can't wait to graduate and you think back on the three long years you eagerly awaited the day you got your first pay check after living on tins of value baked beans.

Make the most of it, first years!

Love Lauryn xo

Too Young To Be Engaged?!

So today's post is a little different from normal... it's more my view on a particular topic, but I felt I really wanted to share my view on this, so here we go...

So something I've noticed recently, is that a lot of young people are getting engaged, and along with these engagements, comes the question of 'Aren't you a bit young to be engaged?'. Getting engaged myself at 20, I've had this question asked a number of times, even from close friends, and quite frankly, it frustrates the hell out of me.

As much as I understand that nowadays people want to travel the world, build their career and create a lifetime of memories before they settle down and build a family, I can't even begin to understand why getting married would stop any of these things from happening. If anything, If I chose to travel the world I'd have not just someone, but my best friend, there to do it with. And if I chose to completely change my career path, I'd have someone to support me. No matter what, I'll always have someone there to share the experience with.

I'm not saying that getting married at a young age is the way things should always be done, because of course, that's not the case. Getting engaged, and then married, should be done when you're 100% certain you've found 'the one', which I know I have, but as for dissing people that choose to do it young - not cool.

People feel that you lose your freedom when you tie the knot, but if that's really not that case, being engaged doesn't prevent you from doing anything, and in my experience, it heightens any experience you go through, knowing that someone special has shared it with you. You can still go on those girls nights out, and you can still visit those exotic locations you've always dreamt of visiting, but instead of returning home with a kebab and a cold bed, or taking that lonesome selfie... you have your best friend right by your side.

So whatever you chose, to get married young, old, or even not at all - the most important thing is that you're happy!

Love, Lauryn xo