|
Seniors'
Concerns
“What are you doing after graduation?”
As a college senior, this is a question you are probably being asked on a
regular basis. And if you are like many college seniors, you may be struggling
to answer the question with a degree of confidence. College seniors often feel
pressure to be enthusiastic about the future, or to have a set plan that will
hopefully satisfy others (i.e. parents and other family members, friends,
professors, etc.). A common societal expectation at the time of college
graduation is that one is looking optimistically ahead to the future. But the
often-unrecognized reality is that although graduating college can be a very
exciting time in life, it can also bring feelings of fear, sadness, confusion,
and doubt. This is because graduation is an important life change, and life
transitions, even if positive and growth producing, are also typically
stressful.
The way a student experiences the approach of graduation is unique and
individual, and depends on one’s personality, personal circumstances, coping
style, and both positive and negative experiences in college over the previous
four (or more) years. There are some students who say they can’t wait to
graduate, and others who have no desire to leave college. But probably the
majority of seniors feel mixed emotions at varying times. It’s possible, for
example, to feel proud of one’s accomplishments, and to look forward to a sense
of freedom (e.g. from studying, money worries, friendship problems, etc.). But at
the same time, there may be a real sense of loss about the college years coming
to an end and worry about the next stage of life.
Much of the stress of senior year can be attributed to uncertainty about the
future, and the loss of a sense of predictability. Questions naturally arise
about what will come next in many different areas of life (e.g. whether to look
for a job or go to graduate school, whether to pursue a career in one’s major,
where to live, whether to return home or not, continue a romantic relationship,
etc.). Not knowing the answers to these questions can be difficult, and the
differing opinions of friends, family, and acquaintances may be confusing. It is
also common for seniors to feel insecure, especially if friends and
acquaintances seem to be having more success in particular ways (e.g. with a job
or acceptance to graduate school, having a serious romantic relationship, etc.).
It can be challenging as a college senior to know and to trust one’s own
decisions for the future.
Another common fear for many seniors is the approach of what seems like a
dividing line between youth and the responsibilities of adulthood. Many seniors
worry about being expected to be a full adult and fear “being out in the real
world”. Some students feel a sense of pressure to “have fun” and to try to enjoy
senior year as much as possible. Balancing one’s social life, academics, and
activities on campus, and staying motivated, may become more difficult during
the last year of college.
How to manage the senior transition
If you are a graduating senior, it is important to be aware of the physical,
emotional and behavioral changes that may be resulting from stress,
See Counseling Center Stress
Management Topic.
Know that you may find it more difficult to cope with other life issues
during this time. Feeling emotionally sensitive or vulnerable, confused, sad,
moody, or unmotivated can be related to the anticipation of a major life change.
Often, just realizing that one is in a transition period and that it is a
naturally stressful time can help put things in perspective. It may be helpful
to think about how you might have coped with other life transitions and how you
adjusted with time (e.g. leaving high school to go to college, coping with a
move to a new home, etc.) . Try to accept that it is not possible to have all
the answers to the future at this point in time. Most college graduates build
confidence gradually as new life patterns become established.
It is also helpful as a senior to allow yourself to mourn the losses that you
may be experiencing as you say goodbye to an important time in your life. Let
yourself reflect on the positive times, as well as acknowledge any
disappointments that have occurred during college. As the end of senior year
approaches, take the time to say farewell to others even if it feels sad or
difficult. Senior events and celebrations, in particular, are a way of bringing
closure to the college years. Though often bittersweet, these ending rituals are
important in helping to bring a sense of resolution that helps one to move on
without regrets. As graduation approaches, consider what has been important in
your college experience and what is worth carrying forward into the future. You
might reflect upon important experiences and what you have learned about
yourself that will help you in the future. You might also wish to make plans
with close friend(s) to get together after graduation, knowing that you can
continue relationships that have become important to you.
Counseling Center psychologists are available to provide free and
confidential counseling to seniors who would like more help in dealing with
adjustment to graduating or with other concerns. To make an appointment, call
(610) 519-4050 or stop by Room 206 Health Services Building.
All rights reserved. May not be printed on other websites
or reprinted without permission of Villanova Counseling Center.
|
