How to not be nervous for graduation? (Tips)
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In this guide, we will answer the question “How to not be nervous for graduation” and we will talk about some of the most useful tips when graduating from college/university. Also, we will talk about the transition to adulthood and the pressure you could be under, because you may need to find employment fast.
How to not be nervous for graduation?
‘How to not be nervous for graduation?’ you keep wondering. Well, considering graduation can be one of the most important moments in your life, it is normal (and allowed) for you to feel nervous. For many people, it is all about being organized and having a plan that will help them cope with the nerves of graduating.
However, if you are feeling very nervous about it, think about the things you had to go through to get to this point. For instance, think about more difficult and challenging things you have accomplished and how you have overcome every one of them. Feel proud of yourself you’ve made it!
Take it easy, one day at a time and don’t feel rushed into anything. This should be about you and only you, so don’t let anyone pressure you. Live the current moment as it comes and worry about things another day about what will happen in the future if you will like to find a job or not or if you’d like to go to grad school to pursue a higher degree.
Plan your outfit and ticket recollection
Thinking about what you will wear for the event can be very stressful, however, start to plan so there won’t be any surprises at the last minute. Additionally, you will have to wear a gown so make sure to plan to collect your gown as instructed by your faculty. For many universities, there is an online registration and you can receive all the information right into your email confirming everything is booked and ready.
Also, you may have probably asked family members or friends to join as guests. Make sure you collect your tickets with plenty of time since remember that everyone will be doing the same so this can add more stress into the equation.
Discuss with your guests where you will meet
You may know your university from top to bottom but your guests may not be familiar with the names or places they are intended to be. This is why it is important to give them clear instructions and the times you are expected to be there for the ceremony.
Also, sort any means of transportation if necessary so you don’t have to worry about it later on. If they are coming from a different city to assist to your graduation, ask them to plan their trip to avoid any delays or problems.
Know what to expect
We know there is a ceremony and you’ll get to take a lot of pictures with everyone but there are also more to enjoy on campus. Check the times you need to be at the ceremony and the reception so you don’t have to worry about having to rush in.
This moment will be as special as you would like it to be. For some people, it represents just the day they get to receive their title in a ‘material’ way. For others, it is the end of an important stage or cycle in their lives. It is up to you to make it special or not.
Get a good night sleep
You may be excited about graduation and you will probably like to party at least for a week celebrating that you made it. However, try to get a good night’s sleep the night before graduation so you don’t feel tired throughout this very important day.
Instead, try to have a relaxed night in reading a book or finishing some of the details about your graduation outfit or the ceremony. This will keep your mind busy and help you relax a bit.
Eat something before the ceremony
Going to your ceremony on an empty stomach can be a very bad idea. You won’t be able to enjoy it without thinking about what you will grab to eat later. Try having some food but don’t eat too much because it can also be detrimental if you feel nervous and nauseous.
Try not to worry too much and enjoy!
Now that you have made all necessary arrangements and everything is ready for the big day, try to have fun and enjoy this moment. There may be a lot of people there with you but focus on friends and family that are there to support you and share with you this special moment.
You may feel very nervous before walking up the stage and you may probably fear falling. However, focus on someone you know in the audience and don’t think about it too much. Just be proud of yourself and for completing your degree, you earned it!
What if something goes wrong?
If you think ‘What if something goes wrong?’ then picture the worst-case scenario. For instance, what if you trip and fall? Well, you just get up and keep walking. But, what if your family or friends are not there on time? Well, you will still get graduated with or without them. Another scenario would be, what if I don’t make it to the ceremony? Well, you are still getting graduated even if you are not there so hopefully, you can still make it to the reception.
What would you like to do after college/University?
This is one of the most feared questions, and many recent graduates don’t even know what to answer. However, think about the possibilities, they are endless. For many students, going to grad school is their next step, others would like to work for a while to gain some experience so you could try and get a full, part-time or even an internship.
If you don’t know what to do or you would like to take some time off to think, you could take a sabbatical and go and travel the world. Find something that motivates you and plan how you would do to make it happen.
Another possible option would be not doing anything until you decide you are ready to make the transition or the jump into adulthood and get a job. However, if you do want to get a job then you will need to follow a series of simple steps such as doing your research online of all the positions available to you, doing a professional CV, working on your skills, presenting your interview, etc. It isn’t as complicated as it sounds but still, you need to invest some time and effort into it.
Why is this blog about How to not be nervous for graduation important?
As we have discussed on ‘How to not be nervous for graduation’, it is OK feeling nervous since it could be one of the most important days of your life. However, this day should be full of joy, nice memories and excitement. The idea is to organize and have a plan on how you will get there. For instance, plan your outfit, gown and ticket recollection with enough time so there won’t be any delays. Also, talk to your friends and family to make sure they plan to be there with a few minutes to spare or right on time.
Planning and organizing ahead will allow you to take some pressure off you and manage your nerves more effectively. But just make sure to have fun, share with your loved ones this special moment (or as special as you want it to be) and celebrate your accomplishments. You may feel pressured to jumping right into a job but try to live the present moment as it comes and then you can worry about finding a job another day.
Please feel free to leave any comments or thoughts about the content of this article!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about How to not be nervous for graduation
How do I calm my nerves before going out?
If you need to calm down because you are going out on a date or simply on a night out with friends, take a mental step back and think about what is making you nervous in the first place. Before going out, take a few slow and deep breaths and try to do some positive self-talk.
How do you deal with graduation anxiety?
To deal with graduation anxiety, here are some useful recommendations:
– Take a deep breath, look back and celebrate your accomplishments.
– Don’t compare yourself with other people.
– Keep your mind busy to take your mind off the anxiety.
– Do some physical activity without exceeding yourself.
– Focus on the present instead of the future. Enjoy the moment.
– Make plans to celebrate.
How do you train yourself to not be nervous?
If you would like to take control of your nerves, make sure you question what you are thinking and challenge those negative thoughts. Always breathe when you feel nervous by taking slow deep breaths and visualizing your favourite place. Recognize being nervous is not necessarily a bad thing, and something good can come out of it.
What is transition anxiety?
Transition anxiety can be understood as the coping mechanisms someone employs when they are going through stressful situations that can lead to large life transitions and the resulting physiological effects of increased anxiety and depressive symptoms. Transitional anxiety is said to be more common amongst young people.
How do you transition from college to work?
Transitioning from college to work may not seem like an easy thing to do at first but you’ll get used to it. There are a lot of thoughts leading to feeling anxious about the future and your performance as a young adult. The first thing to do is acknowledge and accept that you are transitioning, ask other people how their experience was but don’t let them give you a biased opinion, keep a journal and organize your next steps such as preparing your CV, working on your ‘soft skills’, interview skills, etc.
References
Iamessex.wordpress.com: “How to calm graduation nerves”
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