From Cap and Gown to Uncertainty: Managing Post Graduation Anxiety

Do I go to UBC, SFU, KPU, or BCIT?

UBC is 45-minute away by bus, so shall I live on-campus or live with my parents to save up?

Is it better for me to major in psychology straightaway, or take general studies to explore my options?

Shall I take a year off, working full-time for 8 months, save up the money and backpack around Europe?

As the final year of their time at Burnaby North Secondary School draws to a close, Arie and Danny sat together, recounting all of the above statements. They were worried and uncertain about what the future has in store for them.

Graduation is coming up sooner than expected, and both were overwhelmed with the prospect of making “the right decision.”

The weight of expectations hangs heavy and they so desperately want to get some clarity on their situation.

If you resonate with what Arie and Danny experience above, you are not alone.

It’s what we call post-graduation anxiety.

It’s a common experience for those who almost completed a portion of their studies, be it grade 12 or undergrad, and even Master’s (trust me, I have been there too!)

This anxiety can look like feeling uncertain about what the future holds, feeling lost without timeline and deadline to follow, feeling useless and directionless, feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of finding a job, and landing somewhere meaningful.

This whole wack of swirling thoughts could feel overwhelming , so it’s super important to remember that there is no one way to do life!

In fact, echoing Susan Whitbourne, a renowned psychologist, I want to highlight two different pathways people can go through to go from where they are to where they want to be:

Meandering Way

You have some rough ideas on what or who you want to become, though you don’t know exactly one way to get there, so you went through several turns before settling

Straight and Narrow Part

You know from the get-go where you want to land, so you make decisions that align with your desired goals. A classic example of this is someone dreaming of becoming a doctor, so every step of the way they took classes and studies that would take them to Med school eventually.

If any of the above description strike a chord for you, remember that you are not alone, and you don’t have to sort out these overwhelming jigsaw puzzle of options on your own.

I welcome you to reach out and book an initial intake session 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.

Remember that reaching out for support is a sign of strength because you are taking charge of your situation, and not let negativity be on the driver seat of your life!

Stay tune for more! In the next few weeks I am going to explore some more why it’s normal to feel this way and offer some perspective on how you can feel differently about that.

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.