Senior year can be an exciting time filled with anticipation and wonder over what is next. Although graduating triggers this excitement, the reality is it can also bring feelings of fear, sadness, confusion, and doubt. This is because graduation is an important life change, a transition, and transitions can be stressful.
Some of the driving factors behind many of these emotions are expectations and pressure to feel enthusiastic about the future. And, unfortunately, the expectations are usually the desire to satisfy others. These expectations weigh heavily on seniors during a time when they are most vulnerable. They are at a crossroad in their life and outside influences can be positive but only if they consider the individual student and their personality, personal circumstances, coping style, and experiences over their time in school. Uncertainty is common as seniors fret over the conflicting emotions of being proud of their accomplishment, and fear of moving away from the safe confines of campus. Where will I live? How will I live? Do I have a plan? Will I make enough money? What about friends? The list can go on and be a major source of discomfort and depression for many college seniors.
One bit of advice I hear quite often is to find a career that you love and that you’re passionate about. The part left out in this conversation is that it takes time. Most people don’t get it right the first time.
It took me five times to get it right!
And, as you mature and learn about other careers your expectations of what you want in life usually change, and that is ok. Most college seniors are not ready to make a commitment to a lifelong career the day they graduate.
Give Your Seniors a Graduation Gift
What can we do to better prepare our seniors for the road ahead? Give them the gift of learning how to identify their own strengths and use the information to forge a path to success. Most of the anxiety college seniors experience is because of the uncertainty around the future. However, the better understanding we have of ourselves and the types of people and environments that we enjoy contributes significantly to our chances of future success. It is also the first step in putting together a plan to go forward. Having a plan based on personality, reasoning ability, interests, and professional skills goes a long way to mitigating the confusion which causes most of the anxiety in the first place.
We can guess at the answers for each student and try to help them with their plan moving forward. Or we can use proven tools to predict where they have the best chances for success.
The GFV Roadmap to Success 2024/2025 Program helps facilitate your student’s transition from being a student to a successful, meaningful, and fulfilling career after graduation. The information gathered from the program allows staff to have meaningful conversations with students regarding majors, courses of study, the environment and culture where the student will feel most comfortable, and finally, some career choices they may want to consider.
Don’t let your seniors learn by osmosis. Give them the gift of the comfort of knowing they have a PLAN FOR THE ROAD AHEAD!
For more information on the GFV Roadmap to Success Program for college students contact Gary at: gary@gfvcampustocareer.com or call: 616-460-8140.
Visit our website: www.gfvcampustocareer for information on our alumni and veterans’ programs.
GFV Campus to Career: Helping you help your students.