By Nadine Moedt (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: June 20, 2012
It’s June, and for many fourth and fifth year students that means graduation. With convocation just behind us, I thought it would be appropriate to address the “what next?” question. Especially for Arts students, this can be a daunting question. It brings on a deer-in-headlights kind of reaction. Shifting one’s identity from student to actual adult is a transition that some take reluctantly. The post-graduate landscape can be a scary place.
Apparently, that fear and indecision felt by many grads has a name! It’s known as Post Commencement Stress Disorder (PCSD). Yes, you have a psychological disorder. Dr. Bernard Luskin defined it in Psychology Today as “…a condition emerging from a diagnosis of symptoms affecting new graduates facing the task of choosing, changing or pursuing a career beyond the protective bubble provided by the traditional college campus.” According to the article, the list of symptoms includes:
- Feeling you are not in control of your life
- Feeling a lack of support after commencement
- Feelings of failure if the new graduate is unable to find work in their area of specialty in a reasonable length of time
- Irritability and sleeplessness
- Avoidance of normal, everyday activities.
Luskin notes that these symptoms may not become noticeable until weeks or even several months after commencement. Graduates are experiencing the reality of unemployment, new responsibilities, and an anxiety resulting from excitement or fear of the unknown. Important choices must be made, decisions we just don’t feel qualified to make.
So, how does one snap out of the post-commencement blues? Here are a few suggestions to fend off that feeling of impending doom after your trip across the stage.
Structure:
Student life is just that, no matter how you try to procrastinate. Keeping that structure in your day and in your week is important to prevent you from wasting away your days. Setting your alarm clock on week days (after trying to go to bed at a decent hour), and actually accomplishing something—anything—during the day will make you feel more productive and energized. Finding a happy medium between leisure, work and home life is an important factor in your new adult role.
Plan ahead:
Take time to think about your goals, and make an action plan. I suggest writing it down: having a tangible expression of your goal can solidify it in your mind. Map out your next six months, or think about where you want to be in five years. Do some research and look at the possibilities; consider enlisting a career counsellor for advice. In fact, the Career Centre at UFV provides this service. Another idea? Decide that this post-graduation period is a vacation, and do something with it – go somewhere, do something you’ve always wanted to do. Having a plan will organize your thoughts and reduce your PCSD stress.
Keep your friends:
Make sure you stay in touch with your friends. Someone who can relate to your anxiety will help you through any major breakdowns and keep you grounded. Go out, have fun, enjoy yourself. You’re young and wild and free, remember? Reinforcing that in your subconscious will help you overcome your anxious feelings.
Be good to yourself:
Negative self-talk will only bring you down. Stick to the positive. Understand that it is a difficult time for you – you’re making a transition, changing your life. Of course it’s going to be difficult! This isn’t your parents’ post-grad world anymore; competition for jobs is higher than ever. Keep that in mind, and don’t be too harsh on yourself about your progress and prospects (and don’t accept it from your parents, either!) Making realistic and attainable short-term goals will keep you positive and remind you that you can accomplish something. Keep healthy, join a gym, and do your best to eliminate any negativity in your life. Look ahead – don’t look back!
