It would be easy to assume that graduating college is cause for nothing but celebration. Your higher education is behind you (unless you're off to pursue higher degrees) and your whole life is ahead of you.
Then again, that's part of the problem. It can be stressful to leave behind a place you've become comfortable in for several years, say more-or-less permanent goodbyes to many friends, and face a whole lifetime of new responsibilities that stretch decades into the future.
For many students, college graduation marks the first time that they will truly and completely be on their own and responsible for every aspect of their lives, from paying bills to stocking a fridge to finding a good place to live. Things like that can be more stressful than any midterm or final research project. It is useful for students (and their families and friends) to recognize that amongst the joy, there may be anxiety as well. It also pays for the student to keep in mind ways that he or she can reduce stress, and start "real life" on the best possible foot. Here are five suggestions to do that:
PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE
You probably have heard the old adage about how to eat an elephant by now. If not, here's the answer: one bite at a time. Even if you weren't the most organized student, now is a good time to start making lists. Map out the key short-term, middle-term and long-terms goals you need to achieve to transition yourself from college life to post-college life. Set "due dates" to complete the tasks and rank them by importance.
GET SOME EXERCISE
Don't laugh at this suggestion. Or maybe you should, since you might be stressed out. In any case, don't DISMISS the value of exercise. It may be one of the last things on your mind right now, but physical activity is actually one of the best stress relievers around. Exercise helps release pent-up energy, which may help relieve those aching muscles, that pounding headache and the hair-trigger temper you may or may not be sporting right now. Exercise also helps release endorphins, a natural chemical our brains use to shift us more toward a happy mode than a maudlin one.
TALK IT OUT
If you have sympathetic friends or family members, bend their ears a bit. Bounce your concerns off them. Getting things that worry you off your chest can help relieve stress. Better yet, these people might have some useful advice for you that will help remove some of the stressors from your life. Also, consider support groups or even a mental health counselor. Seeing someone to talk things out and learn better ways to cope with stress doesn't make you weak or crazy. It actually means you're smart enough to ask for help, which is a skill you'll need later in life, too.
DON'T LET OTHERS GET TO YOU
You may have family members or others who have high expectations of you. If getting you through college was a huge deal for people around you, you might be stressed out now that you've achieved that, wondering what else they expect of you. Other people may have strong opinions about what you should do. By all means, listen and take their advice. But remember, this is YOUR life. You have to live it until it's over, and hopefully that will be long into the future. So make decisions that are right for you. Do you want to be remembered as a martyr who made everyone else happy but ignored yourself? Didn't think so. Learn to say "no" and don't try to tackle every opportunity that comes your way. Focus on the ones that will enhance and advance your life.
BE GOOD TO YOUR BODY
Get plenty of sleep and eat right. A healthy, well-rested body is one that is better able to fight stress. Steer clear of illegal drugs and don't over-imbibe alcohol. Don't try to self-medicate yourself. That's a sure way to aggravate your stress to no end; not to relieve it.
