Being uncertain of your future is probably one of the scariest things young adults have to deal with. From job searches to grad school requirements, there seem to be a million things running through my mind constantly. My graduation date is December 2021. I should be excited, right? Wrong. Well, I kinda am, but I’m kinda not at the same time. I’m enthusiastic about the thought of moving on with my life but not completely excited to enter full adulthood. Here are three ways I’m dealing with graduation anxiety.
1. My Path Is Not Everyone Else’s Path
Social media can make a girl stressed. Every day I’m seeing at least one person announce they’ve accepted an internship or a full-time job offer. After a few months, this started affecting me personally. I started doubting myself and my abilities. When I started noticing how it was affecting me, I forced myself to stop comparing. If that meant taking a break from social media, then that’s what I did. I had to learn that my path isn’t somebody else’s path. I have to make decisions based on my wants and desires, not anyone else’s.
2. Enjoying the Last Few Semesters
I’m honestly taking it one day at a time and enjoying the little moments. Moments like having funny conversations with my group members on zoom, enjoying free or discounted things because of my student ID, and being able to catch an extra hour of sleep because the teacher canceled class. Moments that only students can enjoy because let’s face it, there aren’t any excuses once the real world kicks in.
3. Get Advice From People in Your Shoes
Getting advice from a family member, friend or an alum has really helped ease the stress. They warn me on what to expect, give job search advice or sometimes become an extra ear to help me vent my frustrations. At Georgia State, we frequently have panel discussions with past students who give great advice on preparing for graduation and the real world. So I’ve been making sure I attend those as well.
Dealing with graduation anxiety can be stressful and tiring, but I constantly remind myself to take it one day at a time. As I said before, don’t compare your path to anyone else and enjoy your time. We technically only go to college once.