Anxious about graduating?
CU Student Futures / Dyfodol Myfyrwyr CU
Your future starts now | Mae dy ddyfodol yn dechrau nawr
The time has come for you to graduate from university and you may be feeling a mix of emotions. After being in the comfortable bubble of education for the majority of your life, it’s difficult to know what to expect when you take your first step into the big wide world. With this lifestyle shift comes a mix of emotions including anxiety, dread, excitement, apprehension, and pride, to name just a few - and you’re not alone.
Facing the unknown can be a nerve-wracking concept, especially if you have no plans following graduation, but this is perfectly normal.
If you’re feeling anxious about graduating, here are some of the best tips to help you gain perspective:
1.????Be proactive
One of the biggest concerns you may have about graduating is finding your perfect grad job – in fact, this is perhaps the most difficult time you’ll ever have in finding employment in your desired sector. Why? Simply because there are millions of other graduates who are looking for these grad jobs and internships at the exact same time as you.
If you’re struggling to find the exact job you’re looking for, there’s no harm in finding a ‘filler’ job to allow you to earn money while searching for your dream role. Secondly, be proactive in your approach to the job search – create a LinkedIn profile, apply for an internship or graduate job recruitment agency, and attend job fairs to improve your chances of getting hired.
2.????Talk to a friend
Talking to someone you trust can help put your thoughts into perspective. Allowing yourself to express exactly how you feel can be a huge weight off your shoulders and even prevent unhelpful rumination causing your thoughts to spiral into catastrophic ‘what if’s’.
Reach out to other grads you have built solid friendships with whilst at university as they are in the same boat as you. You’ll soon come to realise that they have similar worries and apprehensions, and your feelings are valid.
A good friend will listen intently and give you advice on how to move forward and put strategies in place to help you overcome your worries. In turn, this should change your negative thoughts into positive actions.
3.????Form new relationships
After living with a group of people for several years at university, the change of living arrangements following graduation can be a shock to the system. If you’re moving back home, you may no longer have the freedom you are used to and it’s normal to feel a sense of ‘grief’ that your close friends are no longer around you.
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It would be a good idea to try and form new relationships after university to prevent the feeling of loneliness and isolation. Join the gym, a book club, or other local community groups that interest you. In time, you’ll begin to form new bonds with like-minded people, and who knows, you may even make new friends for life!
4.????Take time out for yourself
Sometimes, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in your worries, that you can forget to prioritise self-care. However, when feeling particularly stressed, it’s important to take some time out for yourself to unwind and leave behind the fear and worries about life after graduation. Don’t be too hard on yourself – this new stage of life is a journey, not a race, so simply enjoy whatever comes your way.
By Laura Bill from Inspiring Interns
Further support….
?How Student Futures at Cardiff University can help you
?Inspiring Interns
View graduate job roles and internships available through Inspiring Interns