I was so excited to start my graduate school journey with GW last fall, and I’ve come a long way since those first-day-of-grad-school jitters. Now over a year later, those first day jitters have turned into last day jitters as I approach my graduation in December. As nerve-racking as it is for all of us to start graduate school, it can be just as, or even more nerve-racking, to finish and embark on our post-grad lives. Here are a few ways to deal with the post-grad panic and prepare for your own life as a GW alumni! 

I’ve received a lot of advice about post-grad life as my graduation approaches, but the most important piece is that you got this! You went to graduate school and got a higher degree for a reason. You were able to graduate from said program, which you clearly wouldn’t have been able to pull off if you were ill-prepared or unintelligent. Your diploma is physical proof that you got this. You are prepared and now, definitely qualified, to enter your field and thrive in your new environment. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten that diploma! I find this principle to be really helpful when the post-grad anxiety brutally hits. One of the greatest features of graduate education is that it is especially preparing you for real-world work in your field, rather than just providing the more broad material often offered in undergraduate classes. Take a good look or hug your diploma whenever you need that physical reminder of your capability and credibility! 

Almost as important as remembering you are well-prepared for post-grad life, it is also important to remember that you are still learning! Your first job after graduation can be very intimidating, but you should remember that you are still learning and that gaining experience takes time. Related to my first point, remember that you would not have been hired if they didn’t think you could handle your position. Any transition takes time, and you won’t immediately settle into any new job or other journey after only the first day. Many professionals recommend trying to find a mentor within your field or at your first job in order to assist in your transition and offer wisdom in times of need. Approach your first career steps with open eyes and a willingness to learn as much as possible while this new phase of your life gets started!

If you have no idea how to prepare for post-grad life, do not hesitate to utilize your resources before and after you graduate! GWU offers a variety of services for students and alumni to help them in the real world. GW’s career services can offer help with your resume, interview preparation, professional headshots, and more! They also offer some career programs and career coaching for both students and alumni. My friends and I have taken advantage of these services numerous times, and they have made the post-grad preparation much smoother! Reach out to any GW connections you made during your time here, and continue networking since you’ll never know when it will really come in handy. GW alumni are everywhere if you look for them!

Lastly, it’s crucial to remember that you are not alone! Quite often, no one knows what they are doing, especially after graduation. So many people face post-grad fears, whether these fears are related to finding a job or just navigating life outside of the school-type schedule. These fears are completely normal and commonplace. It helps to talk through some fears with friends who are also graduating soon or who already graduated. Staying in touch can become more difficult depending on your schedule after graduation, so connecting regularly with grad school friends not only offers moral support and fights loneliness, but you’re also continuing to strengthen your network. Similarly, remember that your degree does not define you! You can choose to pursue a new field or a big career change, and you don’t need permission from anyone but yourself. You should also follow what you feel is best for you, and if that means straying away from your comfort zone and area of expertise, don’t be afraid to jump right in! No one’s opinion matters nearly as much as your own. Everyone’s post-grad journey will be different and may go in a different direction than yours, thus, it’s also important not to compare yourself to others during this whole process. Focus on yourself and what you want your post-grad life to look like, and leave any nay-sayers or competitor-type friends behind!

With graduation slowly approaching, I’m constantly thinking about my next moves and what my future will hold. I know I’m not alone, as post-grad panic is a widespread phenomena in students across the world. It’s important to remember that we are fully prepared and capable of embarking on this next step in our lives. It’s also important to remember that it’s okay to still be learning and that everything takes time. Settling into this new phase of our lives won’t happen immediately, but it will come eventually. Remember to use all the resources you can to help prepare you for the transition, and stay connected to friends and colleagues while navigating this new journey. Good luck, and remember that you got this!