3 Ways To Cope With The Transition Out Of College

Everyone has various phases of their life that they live through before moving on to the next phase.

But this issue is, the transition between phases can sometimes be jarring.

For instance, many young adults find it extremely overwhelming when it’s time to move into the “real world” after graduating college.

And this anxiety all comes back to the transitioning aspect of things because as humans, we get used to one thing and don’t like too much change at once.

Change is necessary though, and there are things we can do to make transitions easier on ourselves.

So today, I’ll be sharing three tips on how to deal with the challenging transition out of college and into the rest of the world.

But first, let’s address some common questions.

Why Is the Transition Out of College So Hard?

Specifically, transitioning out of college can be challenging because you’re leaving the schooling environment once and for all.

And most college students haven’t experienced much outside of schooling up to that point, so it’s quite literally a “whole new world” out there after college.

So that can be, understandably, anxiety-inducing and overwhelming to think about.

Plus, you have the sudden stress of getting your first job, budgeting your money in a different environment, and really… being on your own for the first time.

What Is One Reason Why the Transition From College to Work Is So Difficult?

As far as our daily occupation goes, when we transition out of college there is also the change of shifting from learning to working on a day-to-day basis.

This is another aspect of the overall transition that many people find difficult, and the answer might look a bit different for everyone.

For some, the difficulty comes because their work life doesn’t meet their expectations.

Perhaps they thought they’d land a higher-paying job, or that they’d be higher up the ladder because of their education, etc.

For others, it might have to do with the change in social dynamics. Or maybe it has more to do with the change in schedule.

So the answer to this question is that there isn’t simply “one reason” as to why this transition is so challenging, it’s a compilation of factors.

What Are Some Tips That Will Help Me Transition Away From College?

Now let’s move on to the tips I have in store for today, starting with…

1. Reset Your Expectations If Necessary

A lot of our emotions, including stress, can be managed by changing our mindset.

So shifting around your expectations might be the thing you need whilst transitioning out of college. And there are many ways to do this.

Firstly, you can tackle your inner expectations.

If you feel like you had a glamorized sense of what it would be like to be a graduate, then try to ground yourself and not expect too much.

Secondly, you can manage the expectations that you’re learning from others. Whether that be a character on a television show, an influencer you follow online, etc.

Because many times, we can assume that our lives will look like someone else’s and be disappointed when we don’t “measure up”.

Therefore, if there’s something that you’re consuming that’s making you feel bad about yourself and how potentially difficult your transition is, then try to stop consuming it.

Check out this article about unwritten workplace rules to help you with setting expectations!

2. Try To Create A Personal Schedule

After having most of your day mapped out by your parents, then your teachers, then your college; it can be scary to be fully in charge of your day.

And the lack of schedule that you’ll face after college is actually another main reason why young adults struggle with this transition so much.

So an effective way to make your new lifestyle a bit more similar to your old lifestyle is to keep some sort of schedule.

This schedule can be designed with your new needs and wants in mind, or it can be somewhat reminiscent of your college schedule in certain ways if the situation permits.

For instance, if you were used to waking up at 6 AM for college classes and that can still be done with your new work commitments, then you should try to get up at 6 AM.

Just keep in mind that anything which will provide you with some stability during this transition is a good idea. And as this Real Simple article states, structure is important!

3. Join or Create An Accountability Group

The final tip I have for you today is to find an accountability group to be a part of while you’re transitioning away from college, even if you have to create one.

An accountability group in this sense would entail a group of young adults like you, that are going through the transition from college to the career world.

This group of young adults could support each other, keep each other on track, and share helpful advice that they pick along the way with each other.

Don’t underestimate a sense of community, because it can really help improve your mental health if you’re going through a rough time.

And an accountability group could provide you with a very efficient sense of community that may vary from your other support systems.

For the simple reason that the other members of that group understand you and are going through the same thing you are.

Does the Transition Out of College Have to Be Hard?

If you follow the tips above and try your best to be self-aware and accountable for your feelings, then transitioning out of college can certainly be made easier!

And although it’s never a guarantee that the entire process will be without its obstacles, transitions don’t have to be as difficult to navigate as they sometimes are.