The Uncertainty of Graduating

The month of May gives us plenty to be grateful for. The beginning of warm weather, the growth of flora and fauna, and for many, the end of the semester.

While I, and many other students, are excited to enter the summer season, there’s still an air of nervousness that follows. For me specifically, it’s the nervousness of graduating from college.

The freedom granted is one I’ve never experienced before. It’s where I can freely move through the world without an academic pursuit. Now, it’s time to find myself and go out into the world.

The Restricted Freedom of Academia

College does grant you many freedoms not seen in K-12. You get to choose your own degree, your own classes, your own schedule, and your own timeline. There’s no restricted path for you to take, and for that, I will always be grateful. 

However, you don’t always get total freedom here. There are constant deadlines, required courses, limited seat space in classes, and financial constraints as well. On top of those things, there are the things that go on in your personal life that add to these restrictions. I’ve found that finances specifically are the biggest pain point for college students. Most of us are scrambling to turn assignments in on time while figuring out how to pay for necessities. It’s our biggest challenge, yet our biggest motivator as well. In creating a constant cycle of making ends meet, we maintain a sense of hope that our careers will lead to success. 

All of these things contributed to my stress. There were so many things out of my control that limited me and others from fully feeling free in this environment. However, I will acknowledge all of the wonderful experiences and opportunities that emerged from my time in college. Despite these factors, I grew as a person and as a professional in my chosen field.

Being a student gives you room to figure things out. Thousands of students enter college having no idea what they want to do. Some exit with a clearly defined plan for themselves, while others still contemplate their futures. Either way, there’s a buffer that allows you to exist in the in-between. 

You’re an adult, but also a student. There’s less pressure to figure it all out because you’re working towards something. The degree is your end goal, but once you get to that point, what’s next?

Walking the Stage

So, my peers and I are now standing at the end of the road in our college journey. Of course, we could always apply for graduate school and continue this journey. But that path will eventually end, too. 

Those final few weeks and days go flying by. I know I have put aside these feelings of anxiousness and prioritized finishing assignments instead. However, I’m running out of assignments, and am forced to face reality. With exams coming up, I start to think about what will come once the semester officially ends. 

College is over, and it’s time to step out into the real world, a harsh world that is not kind to freshly graduated students. The job postings require you to have years of experience, or they are not hiring at all. You’re fresh meat amongst established professionals who accumulated their own experiences and skills long before you graduated. 

There’s so much pressure to stand out in the job market, regardless of your field. There's not always a job waiting for you as soon as you graduate. And with talks of layoffs and recessions, it’s hard to keep that hope for yourself. We are told that putting in hard work, determination, and persistence will lead to success. But what does success even actually mean or look like? 

And while I don’t mean to be negative, these are the real thoughts that exist within my head. I’m confident that other graduates feel the same way, based on the conversations I’ve had. As humans, uncertainty puts us at a heightened level of stress. We like patterns and predictability; this sea of vast potential paths throws us for a loop.

This period between exam season and graduation feels like when you hop onto a rollercoaster and it first starts moving. It’s too late to get out of your seat, and it’s too early to know what is to come and how you will react to it. 

You feel your gut churning, your heart racing, and the excitement that is soon to come. There’s also the knowledge that this rollercoaster will come to an end. 

These feelings are normal and temporary. I will get through this, and even if it’s not the future I imagined for myself, it’s the future that was destined for me.

Stepping Out Into the World

While I am writing this before my actual graduation, and am therefore still in this mindset, I have found some ways to alleviate this stress. 

First of all, acknowledge and celebrate your success. We get so caught up in the “what ifs” that we sometimes don't get to stop and think about how huge an accomplishment it is to graduate from college. Whether it’s your Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate, it is absolutely something to be proud of. There’s no shame in feeling accomplished and happy that you have done the work and gotten the degree. Allow others to congratulate you and bask in your success. Take a breather and go out on a celebratory dinner, buy yourself a gift, go on a trip, or do whatever makes you happy to mark this milestone. 

Secondly, find community amongst recent graduates. Nobody knows how you may feel exactly, but hearing what other graduates have to say can help you feel less lonely. I’ve spent some time talking to people both inside and outside my field who are graduating and who all feel the same way as I do. Know that you’re not alone in these feelings and that it's perfectly normal to feel stuck about your future. It’s better to talk these things out with another person and help each other out. If you can’t find anyone to talk to, consider talking to someone who has graduated from college previously. Whether it’s been 20 years or two years, ask them how they felt after graduating. 

Lastly, put yourself out there. Have an open mind and heart when beginning your job search. Remember that each opportunity could bring you to your desired future, or even become your destined path. 

You have your own freedom in your hands. Allow yourself to flourish regardless of your overwhelming feelings. Find ways to develop yourself in your profession and don’t lose hope. Some people use their degrees outside of the intended “purpose,” but that doesn’t make their education or knowledge any less valuable. Always remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

Flying Free

Exiting college is the most freeing thing I could ever think of. I get to explore myself outside of the academic student I’ve always identified with. Going into college straight out of high school didn’t allow me much time for myself. During the semester, I only have so much free time. 

Now, time is mine to spend. No longer will I have to dedicate hours to studying or finishing projects. 

I’m ready to step into my career while also exploring my other hobbies and interests. I am also excited to have more time to socialize with friends and family. To have time to vacation and see what other cultures have to offer. Even simple things, like watching new movies or cooking new recipes, were luxuries I had little time for during college. 

Life is almost put on pause when in college. While I got to do so many things, I never really had a free schedule once my classes kicked in. I am ready to press play and see what the rest of my life holds. This new chapter in my life will allow me to enjoy life freely and fully. 

College will always be a special experience for me. It allowed me to do things I never thought possible for myself. The people I met and the opportunities I got have led me to where I am right now. Once I turn the tassel and receive that degree, I know it’ll be the start of something great.

About the Author

Leilah Ortega is a Journalism student at UNLV with a concentration in Social & Digital Media. She is currently in her senior year and plans to graduate this Spring. After she graduates, she plans to pursue a career in journalism and make a change through her work. Leilah is Vice President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Las Vegas chapter. In her free time, she likes to draw, listen to music, and write.