I have already graduated from university, yet I have a recurring dream where I am at university and I have either missed or am very late on a deadline for an important paper.
Dreams about being in college or university and missing deadlines are quite common for people who have already graduated. This type of dream can symbolize a fear of failure or anxiety about not being prepared for a critical challenge.
It may also represent a feeling of being unprepared for a significant event in your life, such as a new job or a life transition. Alternatively, it's possible that you have unresolved issues and stresses from your university days that may be perpetuating this dream.
Consider examining the areas of your life where you may be putting too much pressure on yourself. It might be beneficial to set more realistic expectations and goals. Additionally, making a list of your current anxieties and addressing them one by one can help to relieve the stress and frequency of these types of dreams.