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Moving into a new phase of life can always be an intimidating process, and graduating from school is no exception. While it may feel like a relief to say goodbye to the academic rat race (particularly in stressful Singapore), graduation can still be an anxiety-filled time.
Whether it’s worrying over finding a new job or coping with a sudden lack of structure from school, fresh graduates face unique challenges that can affect their mental health. We share some tips on how you can better manage these negative emotions, as you enter this new stage of life.
Why do we feel nervous about the future?
It’s normal to feel anxious about the future, especially if you’re shifting away from something familiar to an unknown situation. Human beings tend to be creatures of habit, and we don’t quite like it when our usual routines are disrupted too much.
This perfectly encapsulates the transition from the safety of school, where our days are structured by our lesson timetables, to the stressful ambiguity of job applications and interviews. Even for those who may already have a job lined up, it’s still nerve wracking to think about entering a new social environment, and having to fit in and start afresh.
Stress becomes a response to these feelings of uncertainty; and it can end up affecting our mental health negatively, if left unchecked or not managed well.
Common Post-Graduation Concerns
Specifically to graduation, there are common causes for feeling anxious about the future.
Worries about Employment
The largest source of worry is the state of the job market and whether one can find employment or not after graduation. In a competitive landscape where it’s common for a student to complete 3 – 4 internships before they’ve even graduated, the chase for a good job seems more frantic than ever.
Although the typical Singaporean dream of 5 Cs may seem rather dated in 2024, the pressure to have a ‘good job’ and ‘high pay’ is still as strong as ever. A recent local study by the Institute of Policy Studies indicated that about half of their youth respondents, aged between 21 to 34, were uncertain about their future in the workforce. It may seem more challenging than ever to find a job; and it has indeed been reported that fresh graduates are taking longer than before to find full-time employment.
Financial Concerns
In a similar vein to employment prospects, another common source of stress is financial concerns. Within the unstable financial market and climbing inflation, the cost of living has been top-of-mind for many, not just fresh graduates alone.
There is thus a large amount of burden placed on a fresh graduate to find a job quickly, so that they’re able to contribute financially to their household; or even, to start saving up for their own future.
Coping with the Workplace
For those who have found a job, entering a workplace can also be a huge source of anxiety. While internships are a good way to expose an individual to the work life, a large majority of youths may still feel worried about starting work. In surveys – both local and global – youths have shared that they don’t feel that they’re adequately prepared for the corporate world, based on their education in school.
Indeed from mastering corporate speech (for example: “I’ll revert on this”, and the fact that it doesn’t quite make any sense) to navigating office politics, the corporate world can seem like an entirely different animal compared to school life.
Finding One’s Purpose
Lastly, it’s natural to feel some form of existential angst after graduating from school. Stepping into the work world – especially if it’s into a job that we may not entirely resonate with – may feel like we’re leaving behind our childhood dreams and aspirations.
This transition can prompt an individual to really think about what they want to achieve, and larger questions about one’s life purpose (and whether they’re even on track to reaching their dreams).
Tips to Manage Post-Graduation Anxiety
The growing pains of transiting from school to the corporate world can feel excruciating. These are a few ways that you can try to manage this post-graduation anxiety, and make the transition feel a little smoother.
Be Kind to Your Emotions
It’s natural to feel the tumultuous emotions you’re feeling, during this transition period. As such, be kind to your mind, and try not to beat yourself up for your thoughts and anxieties.
One good way of paying attention to what you’re feeling is to journal, and write down all the different emotions and worries that are running through your mind. Physically doing so can provide you with some form of closure and acceptance, as it can help you to identify what you’re truly worried about.
Lean on your Support System
Reach out to your friends and family about the anxieties you’re feeling, and share your feelings. Your friends, such as those who are also graduating, may also be experiencing what you’re going through; and leaning on each other can be a comforting source of support.
If you have older siblings or friends, talk to them about their own experiences after graduation as well. They are an invaluable source of advice on the job hunt in Singapore, as well as pointers on working and the office life.
Speak to a Professional
You may also want to consider speaking to a professional, whether it’s a career counsellor or a mental health professional. Connecting with the former can help to support your job search; as well as help you identify industries or roles that may align best with your personal goals and aspirations.
Speaking to a mental health professional can help you with learning effective stress management techniques to manage your post-graduation anxieties; as well as provide you with more holistic mental health support, as you journey through this new phase of life. If you’re considering connecting with a therapist or counsellor, you can reach out to any of the professionals at A Space Between.
Graduating can indeed be a scary transition to make, but one that you should be proud of as well. Let’s celebrate your achievements together, while working towards creating a future you’re excited about too!
References
- https://embracingyoutherapy.com/feeling-anxious-about-graduating-3-ways-to-manage-post-graduation-anxiety/
- https://sincerelyvinunians.vinuni.blog/pre-graduation-anxiety-syndrome-so-what/
- https://giveagradago.com/resources/blog/graduation-ceremony-anxiety-how-to-not-be-nervous-for-graduation/
- https://www.calm.com/blog/anticipatory-anxiety
- https://hbr.org/2020/08/anxious-about-whats-next-heres-how-to-cope
- https://www.talkspace.com/blog/fear-of-change-why-life-adjustments-are-difficult/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/11/psychotherapist-shares-exercises-she-uses-every-day-to-stop-feeling-anxious-obsessing-about-the-future.html
- https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/how-to-manage-anxiety-during-periods-of-transition
- https://www.straitstimes.com/business/budget-2024-workers-worry-about-job-security
- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/singapore-youths-students-undergrads-working-world-first-job-4234376
- https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/news/Facing-the-future-Youths-are-worried-about-career-prospects-but-open-to-the-evolving-work-landscape/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMany%20of%20them%20feel%20ill,carve%20out%20unique%20career%20paths.
- https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/young-people-do-not-think-their-education-prepares-them-sufficiently-for-work-online-poll
- https://blogs.tntech.edu/graduate/2022/05/18/10-positive-ways-to-deal-with-post-grad-anxiety/
An experienced health & wellness writer, I am a story-teller at heart. For me, writing is a way of weaving together the little details that make our existence meaningful and significant into a beautiful, larger story.
