Anxieties of a future graduate

Graduation is approaching, and I can practically scream I’m so excited! But as I prepare to graduate in May along with 1.8 million other college students across America this year, the anxiety is real.

Although I have yet to land a job that fits my future career goals, my fears don’t include finding one. I do not fear future school loan payments, because I have been blessed with low debt. Thank you Jesus! My fears don’t stem off the popular phrase “It’s all downhill after you graduate.” I think the best is yet to come, and I am fully confident that it will.

My fears are more founded in leaving behind the world of being a student to permanently enter the world of adulthood and more responsibilities. These are the top three fears that I face as graduation nears, fears that I know many fellow college graduates are also facing.

Fear #1: Leaving a place of comfort

For the past 20 years, school is all I have known. I have been in school since the age of three. School has become a place of comfort. Weird right? But it’s true. I have gotten used to the school community, being able to make friends in each class, and meeting a countless number of teachers who have helped me along the way. I fear not being able to find that in my new world after I graduate. I fear the rejection of the unknown of what’s ahead. I fear that I won’t be greeted with new friends who want to help me succeed.

Advice to self: 

Being so afraid seems silly sometimes. I know I need to embrace what’s ahead and accept that things will not always be easy or comforting. It will take time to feel comfortable in a new setting, but with a positive attitude, I can find a new place of comfort outside of school.

Fear #2: Not having time to myself

Having been a student for most of my life, I have lived through many Christmas, Thanksgiving and Spring Breaks. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying summers with nothing to do and no responsibilities. Not being in school anymore is just going to be plain weird, yet exciting. I am going from setting my own schedule, making sure I have free time to take naps and relax, to a set schedule with an 8-5 job. As a communication major, I hope to find a job working in public relations or marketing, and I know I will be kept busy. I will no longer have the privilege of taking a nap after class or sleeping in a little later on the weekdays. Work will consume me, and I’m okay with that; my fear is how much will it consume me? 

Advice to self: 

Even though I have always been busy with school or work, I have always had some time during the day to just do nothing and relax, and now it will be different. I hope to stay relaxed while working full time. I want to take risks, have fun and soak in my new environment without the fear of the unknown. I know that I will be learning a lot, and I will take my fear of no more free time and turn it into a positive learning experience. I have worked so hard to get to where I am, and although I may be fearful of leaving my comfort zone, I know that I will accomplish great things in my new work setting.

Fear #3: Not living up to my expectations 

I can be very hard on myself. When it comes to my work, I am my biggest critic. When it comes to something that “matters,” I fear that I will not live up to my own expectations. I know what my strengths and weaknesses are, and I know what I have been able to achieve thus far. Despite knowing this, I still question What if I’m not good enough? What if I don’t live up to the expectations of the thousands of dollars I’ve poured into my education? 

Advice to self: 

Stop stressing! I know at the end of the day I will be fine, and when I think about it, it’s kind of silly to doubt myself as much as I do. I know that my parents, family and friends believe in me, and they give me all the confidence I need to be successful. My parents taught me to always show confidence in anything I do. I am confident that my educators have taught me all I need to know to be successful in my chosen career field.

Graduating college is a huge accomplishment for all of us pending graduates. We all have the same fears and thoughts about not being good enough or the nervousness that comes with experiencing something new. I will strive to live life after college purposefully, with no regrets and with the confidence and understanding that it is okay to be nervous. As long as I do my best and trust in what I know, I will be just fine.