All work, no play

After the study comes the fun for students, right? Wrong. Amanda Leek finds the doors to the faculty of fun are closing.
A cross-campus section of every faculty at the University of Auckland shows post-exam celebrating is the last thing on students' minds this summer
Science: Having handed in his last 4000-word essay this week, Ben Smith arrives for the interview tired. With a Bachelor of Science, a Graduate Diploma in Arts, a TEFL qualification teaching English, experience teaching English in China for six months, and now a postgraduate Diploma in Science, the 24-year-old should be entitled to take a break.
But, as early as October 28, his Facebook status said: "Ben Smith is getting his job app on".
"I could have applied for more jobs earlier but it is time-consuming to do it right. But it doesn't feel like the same hard slog as before exams."
He's optimistic about his options. When he returned from China earlier this year he found Student Job Search had no positions available. Since then, the job market has improved but he is a little concerned about finding something suitable.
"A little bit of partying would be nice, sure. But considering postgraduate study and employment comes first. It has to."
A $40 administration fee will be introduced next year to be added to the unpaid student loan each year.
Medical and Health Science: Alex Stonehouse, 22, has finished his postgraduate Diploma in Health Science and doesn't think life after university is fun.
"It's scary. I've applied for 11 jobs just in the last week. I keep getting turned down, for jobs that I am qualified for, to be told I have no experience. I'm just afraid I'm going to be here months from now, still waiting for someone to actually look at my CV and talk to me. What is the point of spending four years at university only to be told you have wasted your time?"
Law: Law and arts student Charles McArthur, 19, has concluded his first year. Is the first year the most fun?
"I will be having very little fun indeed. I'm working full-time all summer to finance a trip to South America."
Engineering: For Emily Hargrave-Thomas, 22, her Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering is the start. She is doing a 400-hour research scholarship over summer, full-time work, and postgraduate study overseas. The bonus of finishing exams? "I can go over to friends' places and not worry about work not getting done."
National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries: Lydia Wells, 22, is close to finishing her Bachelor in Film, Television, Media Studies and Dance studies. She is looking forward to four summer months of fun and friends. She set up her production company, Ladder Productions, when there were no jobs this year.
Business School: Prathik Balakrishna, 20, has completed a Bachelor of Commerce. His plan is to achieve honours. "While I'll be working in my chosen field over summer, I think I need at least one more year of university before I can fully commit. Having said that, it's a great feeling to know I can officially graduate and be considered an adult of sorts. It opens up whole new avenues and that does excite me."
Arts: Bachelor of English and Classical Studies student Briar Lawry, 21, is done with exams. "Fun will probably continue to be a foreign concept for me, what with retail work over the summer months in order to make some kind of money. The BA as a stand-alone degree isn't of huge use. I'm more likely to look into postgraduate teaching or journalism, although I haven't entirely discounted a Masters in Creative Writing."
For Melanie Govender, 23, a bachelor's degree, majoring in psychology, with honours, doesn't so much open avenues but lead to dead ends for "critical thinkers".
"It looks pretty bleak. My degree will get me nowhere - or rather not where I want to go.
"Why did I study for all those years? For a massive student loan and pieces of parchment?"
Will you be having any fun after studies this summer? Tel us what you think by emailing: letters@theaucklander.co.nz