Graduates can suffer from anxiety
Published on
Kristen Roderick
When most graduate from K-State on May 14,
they will be faced with where to go next in their lives. These choices that graduates face can
lead to students becoming anxious during their first few years out after college.
According to the MacArthur Foundation's Network on Transitions to Adulthood
and Bureau of Labor Statistics, 16 percent of men and women between 22 and 35
who have left home return home.
Jason Steinle said he became interested in the anxiety of college
graduates because he went through the same thing after he graduated from
college.
"I was full of
uncertainty about why everyone else had figured it out," he said. "I
moved to a town where I didn't know anyone."
He researched and
wrote a book called "Upload Experience," about the anxiety recent
college graduates face as well as giving solutions to some problems the
graduates may have.
"There's going to
be a lot of anxiety around this time of year," Steinle
said. "Especially since they've spent so long in school.
They realize they're not going to have that security and set schedule they had
before."
Andrea Brown, senior
in psychology, said although she's going to graduate school at the University
of Kansas, she is anxious about leaving K-State.
"I am excited
about the prospects of entering into a graduate program that encompasses a
field that I am very passionate about," she said. "However, as my
time here draws to a close, I also am realizing what I will leave behind in
"I have spent
four years as a part of strong campus organizations and building relationships
with amazing people. I know that the lessons that I have learned in these
groups and the bonds I have formed here will not fade away as I leave K-State,
but there role in my life will be different."
Prior to graduation,
most students are set in what they are doing with their lives at that
particular moment.
They go to class,
maybe go to work or one of the activities they're involved in and then visit Aggieville on the weekends. After graduating from K-State,
they are not going to have these opportunities.
For some, this can be
more of a culture shock.
"Don't expect to
have it all figured out from the beginning," Steinle
said. "People in their 40s are still asking themselves 'Is this my right
career?'"
Steinle said his first piece
of advice for graduates is to be comfortable with their uncertainties.
Everybody has them.
He said they should
ask themselves where they are in their spiritual, romantic and work lives, they
will be more in touch with where they are going.
"It makes it
clear whether they're willing to pursue a career or try a relationship,"
he said. "It's a great tool."
When students leave
college, they will not be around their peers as they are in college. Steinle said his second piece of advice for students would
be to keep in touch with college friends.
"At work, the
closest person in age is 10 years older than them," he said. "Keep in
contact with your peers. They're going to be going through the same questions
you are. It's nice to be able to share that with someone. Some of the solutions
that they find will help give you a boost of confidence and vice-versa."
Steinle said other students
become anxious about graduating because they spent time and money to get a
degree and they want their careers right after college.
"For those
graduating, this may be the first time they've gotten out there and experienced
the career," Steinle said. "If they get in
the career they may feel like they have to make this work. Be flexible and
allow yourself to explore different options."
Another way to
overcome anxiety is to get involved in the community.
"In college it's
easy to work out a gym and there's all kinds of
clubs," he said. "There's about 1,000 ways to be involved. When you
go out into your communities after graduation, it takes a little more effort to
get involved. Whether it's a community event like softball, it can make a
difference."