Thoughts on Starting My Last Semester

I can’t believe it’s already been a year and a half since I arrived in Sweden. Time really flies! I still remember my first days here, arriving without knowing much about the culture, the system, or even what to expect. And now… I’m starting my last semester 😳

This year I’ll be working on my thesis, and as I usually joke with my friends, we’re officially in season two of our lives (as if we were living in a TV show 😅). One day, you’ll also reach your last semester, so let me tell you what it feels like from the inside.

The biggest fear of a student: the thesis 📚

I was extremely stressed in December because I had to submit my thesis topic, and honestly, everyone in my class was going through the same thing. I won’t lie: when you study a very theoretical master’s program, you end up with too many research ideas. The hardest part is choosing just one.

I couldn’t decide between three different topics, and that indecision was driving me crazy. But once I finally submitted one, I felt much calmer. Now I have a supervisor, whom I’ll meet next week, and they’ll guide me throughout this whole process.

If you’re currently struggling with your thesis, let me tell you something: it does get better, and you won’t be alone in the process 🤍 I’m also trying to hype myself up with this blog, so… wish me lots of luck!

“So… what are you going to do next?” 🤔

This is the question that almost all my friends and I hate the most. Mainly because the honest answer is: I don’t know.

We’re all nervous about the future. Will we find a job? Can we secure a PhD? Should we go back home? Move to another country? There are so many possibilities that it’s hard to know what will actually happen.

At this point in my life, I’m really trying to enjoy the present (something my psychologist keeps reminding me 😅) and stop letting anxiety about the unknown take over. If you truly don’t know what you’ll do next, it’s okay to say that. Don’t be afraid of other people’s opinions. It’s your life, and you deserve peace of mind too.

Only international students really know what this situation feels like, and we should be there to support each other 🤍

Do I suddenly have more time? ⏳

Depending on the type of thesis you’re doing, this last semester can give you a lot more time for self-study. And if you manage that time well, you might even feel like you have too much free time.

So… what to do with it?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about getting a part-time job, applying for an internship, or starting to study Swedish again. I’ve also considered focusing on improving certain skills to increase my chances in the job market. I haven’t decided yet, but there are many options.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty, I’m trying to reframe it and think: hey, this is also an opportunity to learn and grow ✨

If you’re in your last semester too, how are you feeling? Let me know in the comments 💬