From cap to gown: Part 2
I was inspired to write a series of article on the topic of postgraduation anxiety after speaking at a youth conference hosted by Convergence. If you’re curious what’s postgraduation anxiety is about, check out the first part of the series before continuing with this one.
Most people experience it at some point, and I feel it’s certainly worth talking about to shed some lights on the issue.
Let’s revisit Arie and Danny’s story from last week. Two boys who found themselves feeling overwhelmed and worried as they are on the verge of closing a chapter of their life in Burnaby North Secondary School.
This week, let’s delve a bit more into what’s causing this experience and some ways you can experiment with to navigate it differently.
How does postgraduation anxiety come about
Uncertainty about the future
This may feel overwhelming. It’s completely human to seek control and predictability in our life. When we’re feeling unsure about what’s coming next, it’s normal to feel chaotic and unsettled. So, those boys wondering are a way for them to have better sense of direction in their live
Pressure to succeed
This is a super common theme where we sort out what we expect of ourselves and what we think others expect of us. The markers of success are often closely related to our values and beliefs. So, all of these factors altogether often create a sense of urgency to have everything figured out.
Financial concerns
In a lot of cases, finances are often associated with a sense of certainty and stability. So, by not knowing how life would align yet, it may lead to the unknown. Someone once describe it to me that this point feels like being sucked into an infinite black hole of negativity.
Anything that I missed on the above that you want to add?
Before moving on to sharing some affirmation, I just want to mentioned a gentle reminder that there is no one way to do life.
In some ways, embracing this uncertainty can possibly help you stay open to new experiences and opportunities in life.
It’s important to take a proactive stance in response to your situation at hand and find ways to reframe what you’re experiencing.
3 reminders to turn this hiccup into growth mindset:
Life is a journey, and not a destination
This statement is a tad cliche, I admit. Though in a lot of aspects related to freaking out about your future, it’s so relevant. It reminds me of time when I went on a road trip. Instead of repeatedly asking ‘when would we get there?’ I noticed that I enjoyed the whole experience much more when I accepted each part of the experience, every step of the way. Likewise in life, remember to celebrate small victories and appreciate the progress you have made. No matter how small.
Embracing the possibility of failure
Often in life we look at things as either…or… Failure is often viewed in such negative light, and most would avoid it like a plague. A gentle reminder that when something doesn’t go according to plan, it can provide insights into what went wrong and what you can do to get to your desires results. Many successful individuals have experienced failure en route to their breakthrough. Through these series of hiccups, they were able to improvise and develop something the would otherwise unable to do.
As always, I’d love to end with a positive encouragement to let your know that you are not alone, and you don’t have to go through this all by yourself.
Talk to friends and family members you trust could typically help. In some cases, a mental health professional could provide a more objective take on your situation, and help you really dig on what you really want.
I welcome you to reach out for us to explore your fears, values, and hope. Let’s process those gremlins and come up with strategies for you to go through this transition well.
HELLO, I AM NITA AGUSTIN
A Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Burnaby, BC. My jam is working with queer youth and young adults, especially those who do not want to be defined by what society told them about themselves. I help clients figure out who they are, who they want to be, and how to get there. We do this by processing how their past impacted the way they live out their life today. From our work together, I noticed clients develop better self-awareness and experience improved quality of life as they can show up differently in their relationships.
I offer virtual and in-person sessions near Brentwood, North Burnaby. I am licensed to practise in BC, as well as all across Canada, so I support clients all over BC, all the way from Vancouver to Kitimat. Other than working with clients who reside in BC, I also can support clients who reside in Yukon Territories, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland.
Check out my About me page to learn more about what I do and have to offer for you. Also, explore my Services page to see how I can guide you in making shifts in your life today. If you feel ready to discover ways to live life on your own terms, I welcome you to book an initial intake session. I am so stoked to meet you and start figuring out how you can show up as your best self.
