Between lectures, exams and breaks, memories are made for life. Graduates look back - and tell us what really counts.
The title of the blog captures the essence of student life. While stressful phases seem like an eternity, time ultimately passes faster than you think. When you're in the middle of exam time, you often wish it would be over sooner. But one day, those very moments full of laughter, challenges and friendships will turn into memories you won't want to miss.
Looking back, it's not the exams that I remember, but the laughter with my friends during the breaks, the conversations that went far beyond the subject matter and the spontaneous drinks after the lecture. The day I completed my Master's degree was a moment of pride - but also a quiet farewell. But the most valuable thing that remained were the friendships. They endure the test of time and are the most beautiful gift from this intense, special time.
Julia Sapper, Graduate Master International Business Relations - International Marketing
Student life takes place in stages, and each of them passes - the challenging ones as well as the wonderful ones. The first stage is often the most sensitive: you look for the right degree programme, know that this decision can change your whole life and consciously say YES to a new stage in your life. With this comes expectations, hopes, but also fears. But the moment you decide to take responsibility for your own future, a journey begins that conveys more than just academic knowledge.
My time at university was intensive, instructive and varied. The effort - alongside a full-time job - was huge, but it was worth it: I was able to acquire a lot of knowledge that nobody can take away from me, and the feeling of having achieved so much is great. The degree programme also opened new doors for me, for which I am grateful and which have helped me progress on many levels. I was able to close this chapter with a suitcase full of knowledge and experience - I am looking forward to everything that lies ahead.
Nina Wallner, Master's graduate in Health Promotion and Human Resources Management
Consciously experiencing helps you to perceive the here and now. Instead of letting yourself be driven by stress and fear of the future, it is worth appreciating every moment: Listening to the lecture, the funny conversations in the canteen or the quiet moments of breathing deeply between seminars. Because studying is not just a stage, but a journey full of irreplaceable experiences.
Education creates freedom. As a woman in Central Europe, I also think to myself: I'm ALLOWED to do this! I am allowed to continue my education, to develop further, to make visible contributions to social coexistence. I can be heard and seen as a woman - that's not the case everywhere. Sure, studying is sometimes exhausting, not every subject is equally exciting and inspiring, you have to invest weekends and evenings, but education is a privilege that I can't get enough of.
Alexandra Baldwin, Master's graduate in e-learning and knowledge management
Alexandra Baldwin's quote invites us to reflect on the true meaning of education and the freedom it gives us. Education is more than just the accumulation of knowledge - it is the key that opens doors for us to develop ourselves and actively participate in shaping the world. At the same time, this path often leads to inner conflicts. You begin to take stock of your life. You scrutinise your thoughts, your work, your salary, your relationships and think about how you can categorise it all. This constant dialogue with your own expectations, but also those of society, can sometimes give us the feeling that we have to justify ourselves again and again in order to be able to consciously follow our own path. But in the end, education is not just a privilege - it is an opportunity to develop and grow.
During my bachelor's degree, I not only learnt a lot for my current professional life, but also got to know people who I still value very highly today and would not want to do without.
Maria Tato, Bachelor Information Media & Communication graduate
When we take a new path in our lives, it is often as a result of a deep realisation about life or about ourselves. We come to the point where we realise that we need to change direction. It is the moment when we realise who we really want to be and realise that we have to let go of everything that has been holding us back. It is at this moment that we find the courage to move forward and take a new path. Even if many find the process of letting go of the past and opening up to the new frightening, it also has a liberating effect. A freedom that is so strong that even the practical steps towards change suddenly seem less important and fade into the background.
With two children and a job, it wasn't always easy to juggle everything, but it was the practical dialogue with experts and lecturers that motivated me to keep going. In addition, I not only completed a great degree programme, but also gained a strong network of experienced experts.
Tetyana Wisgrill, Graduate Master Human Resource Management and Labour Law
People often doubt big decisions because they believe it is "too late". The timing of your life is not meant to match that of others. Especially when starting university later, the concern often arises: "But I'm already 40 and already have children. If I study now, I'll be finished at 42." But the truth is: In a few years, you'll be 42 either way - the only question is whether with or without a degree.
At the age of 40, after more than 20 years, I decided to step back into the lecture theatre. Alongside a full-time job, family and everyday life, it wasn't an easy decision - but I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. And yes, it was challenging. But it was also incredibly exciting, educational and motivating. You're never too old to surprise yourself. In my industry, IT, acquiring new knowledge is a constant companion anyway, and studying has given me a lot both professionally and personally. I would do it again at any time.
Dominik Hasiwar, Master's graduate in Cloud Computing Engineering
A little reminder: We are never behind. There is no one typical path. Many feel the pressure of a timeline that tells you where you should be in life and when. However, studying is a journey that is not always linear. In life, phases of tension often precede development, just as steps backwards are sometimes necessary in order to take the next step forwards. No matter when you start your studies or what path you take, it's never too late to invest in your future. People fear things that are unknown or of great importance and yes, there will be challenges, but with them come countless valuable experiences.
Studying with people from seven different countries was an enriching and unforgettable experience. The study period was full of valuable learning moments and helped me to further develop my fascination for tourism. I would particularly like to emphasise that this degree course made it much easier for me to enter a new professional field.
Sandra Motzelt, Graduate Master International Wine Marketing
Along the way, you meet inspiring people, experience unforgettable moments and gain experiences that go far beyond the subject matter. Graduates often report that leaving the university was more difficult than starting it. This is because the time that initially seemed challenging is retrospectively seen as one of the best phases in life.
The Master's programme at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences (formerly FH Burgenland) was an intensive and incredibly enriching time. When it came to an end, there was this bittersweet feeling - proud to have completed it, but also wistful because it marked the end of a formative phase of my life.
Alexander Schreier, Graduate Master Digital Media and Communication
Your decisions will affect everything, everyone and everyone around you, much like the ripples of a stone hitting the surface of the water. Every decision, every action will trigger a chain reaction that goes far beyond you and shapes the environment. Nothing will ever be the same again. And in a positive sense. It is important to realise that we are in no way forever limited or permanently determined by who and how our former identity was. We are allowed to determine our educational path. We are allowed to evolve. We are allowed to reorganise our lives to create our unique journey. We have the freedom to gain new perspectives, question our values and rediscover ourselves again and again.
We hope that this blog post has encouraged you to take new paths that will be sustainable and meaningful for your life in the long term - because it's never too late to invest in your own future. The first step starts here.
Guest article: Gianina WALLNER, BA MA
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