Topic of the Month

Topic of the Month

Graduating to the Real World

Making the Transition from Student Life

As you approach graduation do you ever secretly wonder how you'll function once you leave the structure of student life? Do you ever question whether you'll be able to manage adult responsibilities and expectations? Do you ever wonder whether you sufficiently learned what you needed to in order to succeed in your designated career?

Despite your understandable excitement about no more homework, final exams, and academic requirements do you secretly wonder if you'll miss the comfort of the lesser expectations placed on a growing student rather than those on an experienced professional?

College students work diligently to reach their goal of an academic degree, but as the day of graduation approaches they may be secretly perplexed by the onset of feelings of ambivalence. In fact, some people may consciously postpone or even unconsciously sabotage their own graduation because of this unaddressed ambivalence. Furthermore, they may secretly believe they are the only person feeling this sudden desire to remain a student.

The truth is, few life transitions - even happy ones - occur with pure joy and no doubt. It is, therefore, perfectly normal to feel anxious or confused when the graduation ceremonies and celebrations are over. One way to address the ambivalence is, of course, to explore the feelings underlying the anxiety but also to become familiar with practical steps to facilitate functioning in the real world. These include topics such as money and finances, health care, careers, time management and procrastination prevention, emotional well-being, and so on. The following are suggestions provided to address some of these areas:

Money and Finances:

  1. Keep your credit card debt less than 35%.
  2. Do not use graduation and fulltime employment as reason to stop living frugally.
  3. Attend to your daily needs. hold off on indulgences.
  4. Prioritize and spend according to your priorities.
  5. Remember that Student Financial Aid is also available in graduate school.
  6. Pay bills and attend to financial obligations to others, but also "pay yourself" and save money for your own needs.

Health Services:

  1. It's normal to feel anxious about health care after graduation... just plan ahead so you don't get caught in a crisis.
  2. If you're graduating and know you have a job, check into the company's health benefits (e.g. insurance, dental care, vision services, mental health).
  3. If there are no health benefits for awhile, consider signing up for Family PACT before you graduate. It's free, is good for a year, and will at least take care of reproductive health issues.
  4. Be a savvy health consumer - remember that the health care industry works for you so be proactive on your own behalf. If you don't know how to do that, seek assistance at the CSUN Klotz Student Health Center BEFORE you graduate so you can receive a quick tutorial.
  5. Have a few websites that you feel confident about utilizing. Some Klotz health center favorites: webmd.com, cdc.gov, drkoop.com, goaskalice.columbia.edu.

Career Planning:

  1. Before graduating, take advantage of services and events available to you (e.g. Career Center's Resumania, Real Life 101, Senior Boot Camp, and the Spring Job Fair). Check the Career Center's website for more information.
  2. When seeking a job, tell everyone and anyone. Be sure to attend events related to your field of interest. Networking and making new acquaintances is the key to every stage of one's career.
  3. Treat your job search as you would a job. Have a daily schedule to pursue your exploration. Keep logs and set weekly or daily goals (e.g. "I will contact five companies by Friday."). Research companies of interest as well as occupations and fields that will be most needed in the future.
  4. Nothing is written in stone.. especially during these economically difficulty times. You may have to accept a position that is not your "dream" job, but try to stay on track by obtaining a position that is in your field and/or one that will allow you to gain important skills.

Time Management and Procrastination Prevention:

  1. Use time-saving tools: file folders. Appointment calendars, "to do" lists, answering machines, etc.
  2. Use flow charts and if you are feeling overwhelmed, break down tasks into little pieces, and take one day (or hour at a time).
  3. Prioritize your tasks: use an A-B-C rating system for items on your "to do" lists with A items being highest priority.
  4. Be able to be flexible when the unexpected happens (e.g. car trouble, illness) and avoid panic that interferes with problem solving.
  5. Learn to say "no" (tactfully) and to negotiate better deadlines when appropriate.
  6. To avoid procrastination, just get started and avoid perfectionism.
  7. Reward yourself when you accomplish even small goals on stressful projects.

Emotional Well-Being:

  1. Maintain balance in your life in terms of work versus play, indulgence versus self-discipline, time alone versus time with others, and so on.
  2. Be patient with your learning in this new post-college phase, allowing yourself to make mistakes and fail. Many decisions and situations are reversible or can be remedied.
  3. Explore the source of self-criticisms (e.g. hypercritical parents in childhood, need to be perfect and please others, inability to honor oneself).
  4. Learn about healthy relationships (e.g. initially there is often an infatuation phase that is fun but idealistic; when it changes this is not bad but instead provides a deeper more realistic phase of loving).
  5. Honor thyself... even if you are in a meaningful relationship stay connected with your own needs, integrity, self-respect, preferences, and goals.

Finally, as the transition from college occurs it is important to celebrate one's accomplishments and not demand that functioning in the real world be polished and perfect. There are always resources and consultants available for assistance so it is important to engage the help of experts when it is needed. There is tremendous learning that occurs in setbacks, and the bottom line is that all one can do is be aware, be prepared for hurdles, learn from mistakes, and relax and enjoy the process because before long you, too, will become one of the experienced ones.*

* CSUN's University Counseling Services and Career Center are offering a free workshop to campus seniors who would like assistance in making the transition from college to the real world. Topics such as those discussed in this article will be addressed by guest speakers and panelists. This year the event will occur on Friday, April 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To sign up for the event you can either register online at www.csun.edu/career or phone (818) 677-2878.

Contributions to this article provided by CSUN Staff and Faculty:

Corinne W. Barker, Ph.D. (University Counseling Services), Patricia Gaynor, M.A. (Career Counseling), Gregorio Alcantar, M.S. (Financial Aid), Amy Reichbach (Klotz Student Health Center), and Jane Santoro, APRN, BC (Klotz Student Health Center)