Stressed About Graduating? Here Are Some Tips
by: Donal Buckley
April of your senior year is quite possibly the most overwhelming month of college. You’ve put off thinking about graduation for the entire semester. I’ll worry about it after spring break, you think. But now it’s after spring break and you really have to face the music: graduation is less than one month away.
By now you’ve ordered your cap and gown, figured out where to embroider your sash, and are scheduling your graduation photos — and if you haven’t, you’re thinking about doing it soon. On top of having to worry about finals, applying to jobs, and post-grad travel plans, this is an extremely stressful time. I’m speaking straight from experience. As a graduating senior, the road ahead is uncertain and making me want to stay in college forever. Still, I’ve found ways to navigate my complicated feelings for the future.
Just Say Yes
It sounds corny, but it’s true. When’s the next time you’ll be around this many people your age? Probably never. After you walk across that stage, many of your friends are going to end up moving all over the world. Even if you all stay in LA, you may not live this close to each other again. And as you grow older, the weight of responsibility will make it harder and harder for you to see each other. Make any excuse you can to spend time with your friends. Whether it’s as simple as grabbing a drink at that bar you’ve heard about to taking a day trip to a theme park you’ve been talking about going to, do these things now so you won’t regret letting the opportunity pass later. This is the month of saying yes.
Leave Your Legacy
USC prides itself on its Trojan Network, and by attending the school, we’ve become a part of it. Many schools offer organizations and programs to mentor incoming and underclass students. You’ve been here long enough now. You don’t just know your program, you’ve navigated life here as a student. You’re a wealth of information on how to succeed in college. Let succeeding students know what the best classes are, the best places to study are, the dining halls to avoid, and the more intricate, honest bits of advice they didn’t hear during orientation. As a graduating student, you’ve lived through what they’re going through right now. Not everyone’s legacy here has to be a building or hefty donation — it can be candid knowledge, too.
Take Things at Your Own Pace
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve received is that everyone’s on their own timeline. As an Annenberg student, I have to remind myself that the kinds of jobs I’m looking for aren’t the same as someone in Viterbi or Marshall. Some industries don’t have a hiring season and others hire a year in advance. It’s important to focus on your own journey instead of comparing yourself to others. I, like many people, am stressed about getting a job. But I also know that an offer isn’t going to come until closer to graduation or even until after. Besides, there’s no one clearcut time to start working. It all works on your own timeline.
Get Reassurance From Others
Another way you can ease your graduation stress is by talking it out with friends and peers who have already been through it. Ask them what advice they have and what nobody told them about the things you’re worried about — like living alone, starting a new job, or learning how to manage your time without school. There’s probably more I haven’t said either because I haven’t graduated yet. Knowing the people who went through it are okay will hopefully help you understand that you’ll be just fine, too.
You’re not the only one stressed about graduation, and USC has a multitude of free resources at their disposal for students to take advantage of. From group counseling, individual therapy, and free-to-download apps, there are plenty of professional resources you can use as well. You should never feel alone in your worries.
It’s Not All Bad
There’s no reason for you to only feel stress and anxiety about graduation. Sure, things will be different. But there’s lots to look forward to as well. For example, you won’t have to worry about turning in assignments and projects last minute, and instead (if you choose to work) will get paid for similar activities. But life after graduation doesn’t have to be work. Make travel plans, visit family, or do something else that brings you joy now that you have the time for it.
For those of us who aren’t pursuing grad school — or those graduating from it — life after academia is going to be the most unique it’s felt, possibly ever. Your routine, social circles, and hobbies are all going to change. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. But we can’t stay in college forever. So let’s make the most of the time we still have and look forward to the future.
