By: Johanne Mendoza
Being in my senior year of college feels like riding a rollercoaster of emotions.
My final semester consists of stressing over post-graduation plans, figuring out graduation requirements, completing internships, keeping my GPA up, attending social events, figuring out if I want to work or go to grad school and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by my emotions and lose motivation to do anything.
It didn’t help that I would feel even more anxious after talking to my recently graduated friends and hearing that they were stressed about unemployment as they transitioned from a structured student’s life to that of a postgraduate dealing with adulting stress.
I think a lot of this stems from the pressure I put on myself and the expectations from my family.
When I looked at self-help articles that offered insight into dealing with these anxieties, I found that a common theme was to be kind to yourself through this process.
The experts advised potential and new graduates to make sure that their internal voices do not tell lies, such as, “I will never be good enough” or “I will never get this job,” since those thoughts are unproductive and only lead to a rabbit hole of negative thinking.
Seniors who want to land a job post-graduation probably want to work now on networking, since professional connections will help achieve that goal.
But mental health experts recommend taking life one day at a time. Giving yourself permission to handle your issues or worries in step-by-step practices may help with short and long-term tangible goals.
Also remember that whenever you feel big emotions, it’s okay to reach out for help. Talking to a counselor would likely benefit your mental health, since a trained professional could help guide you to ease those pressures.
Giving yourself grace is another form of self-care, since it keeps you from constantly blaming yourself.
The key to being kind to ourselves is understanding that we need to make space for the complexities of life. It’s essential to realize that we may not always have the right plan or calculated steps prepared for every possible tribulation. I think that uncertainty is what makes anxiety so real.
Experts say that working on coping skills and anxiety management will help ease uncertainty. A well-balanced lifestyle that includes proper nutrition, consistent exercise and enough sleep is vital to maintaining a healthy mind.
Focusing your time on things you can control will also bring more ease. For example, if you are still deciding on a career path, take the time to research what interests you and to arrange job shadowing. Make an appointment with Career Services to build your résumé and polish your cover letter.
These tips correlate with being intentional about your choices while learning about your priorities. It’s easy to start comparing yourself to fellow seniors who may look like they have their whole lives planned out and are ready for anything that comes their way, but remember that we all have a path and value.
Finding the balance between those complex emotions and how we choose to react to them will help ease the pressures of senior year.
