What happens next?

As the end of the academic year approaches, the Editorial Team come together to share their thoughts on what comes next.

- Student Minds Editorial Team

✨ What happens next? ✨

⭐ Grace (Graduate): 

When I look back as a graduate at how my final year came to a close, it’s safe to say that things ended a little differently than usual. In fact, for me, there wasn’t much of an ending at all.

Alongside all the fun and friendship at uni, life for me had also been a little ‘Lemony Snicket-y’ (A Series of Unfortunate Events). It was only as my final exams approached that I reluctantly decided to take a leave of absence, despite my desire to push on. So, as my friends spent our last few weeks together shaking off their revision stress and celebrating the end of studying, I couldn’t help but feel like I was crashing a party (with my super noisy friends Disappointment, Worry and Embarrassment in tow.) 

However, now many months on (and with my degree finally in hand!), I wish I could tell my past self a few important things: 

1. Sometimes it’s ok to be on a different path to others - sometimes that’s exactly where you need to be to get to where you want to end up. 
2. Taking more time to reach a finish line takes nothing away from your own worth or achievement. 
3. One day you’ll be having your own ‘end of uni’ party, so for now, go dance with your friends. With them, you’re never just celebrating ‘an end’ because it was only ever just the beginning.

⭐ Sarah (Student): 

I’m not a final-year student, but I do feel like a chapter of my life is coming to a close. After spending my academic year on a placement abroad in Germany, I will be leaving the lifestyle and routine I’ve settled into, and the new home that I’ve made for myself. I always find it rather bittersweet when I know that things are temporary. I’m really trying to soak everything in here while I still can, taking an extra careful look at all the places I visit as it may be the last time I ever see them! Even the mundane things like my commute to work have become special, so I’m making sure to take photos for my future self to look back on nostalgically. As much as I dislike things coming to an end, I think it does enable me to appreciate the little things (and the big things!), and I’m really just grateful that I’ve had such wonderful experiences. It reminds me of the Winnie the Pooh quote: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

⭐ Tayyibah (Student): 

As a final-year student, I always find the endings difficult. For me personally transitions and changes have never been easy but having ways to cope like having a goodbye meeting or days to plan out after university has finished is what has helped me to have a more positive outlook on the future. If you had asked me when I started my Early Childhood Studies degree at Derby 'Would I reach this far?', I wouldn’t be able to answer. To think of how much I have managed to achieve over the 3 years of my degree has been amazing and incredible to see. The growth I have made professionally and personally is definitely one to remember. I know that the support my friends and academic staff have given me has boosted my confidence and self-belief in knowing I can achieve anything. A quote I will leave you with is ‘You are stronger and braver than you think and more loved than you will ever know.’

⭐ Emily T (Student): 

As a History and Modern Languages student, my third year will be spent on a placement abroad. I am still a little uncertain about my plans at the moment, but I hope to be teaching English as a language assistant in Spain! 

Honestly, the thought of going on a year abroad makes me really nervous! From moving away from my support network to finding accommodation in an unfamiliar place, there will inevitably be lots of new challenges. Sometimes it’s difficult feeling anxious about my year abroad when it seems like everyone else is excited to be gearing up for what should be an experience of a lifetime. However, I know that living and working in Spain will be an amazing opportunity for academic and personal growth!

Looking forward, I am sure that when my plans are more concrete, I will start to feel much more excited about this new chapter in my life.

Whether you are looking for support for your own mental health at university or supporting a friend, help is available.

Written by the Student Minds Editorial Team.

Dealing with social pressures as a student

This August, the Editorial Team have taken the opportunity to share their thoughts on the social pressures they've faced while being university students.

- Student Minds Blog Editorial Team

The blog theme for August is Social Pressures. This is a topic that the Editorial Team felt needed some light shone onto it, especially as a new wave of students being their university experience.

Thoughts on social pressures from the Editorial Team:

✨ Natalie (Student) ✨

• Prior to going to university, I heard countless times that uni is the “best years of your life”. Whilst my time at university has been amazing and filled with wonderful experiences, there have undeniably been more challenging moments as well. 
• I’ve experienced this pressure to make it seem like I’m having fun all the time, but now I just remind myself that life has its ups and downs. 
• University is not just 3 or 4 years of your life that have been sectioned off just to have a good time. It’s an important time of life for changing and growing and this can look different for everyone.

✨ Luke (Student) ✨

• Social media and social pressures can be the biggest thief of joy and shadow your potential. When you begin to see what people post and compare your life to theirs you begin to lose perspective on what you have achieved in your life. Remember people only post and tell you what they want you to see/hear. 
• Leaving university and finding a job is the biggest challenge you will face as a student/graduate. Some friends will find a graduate job immediately with a decent wage and you may be sat still looking for jobs. Stay true to your passions and your goal in life and the right opportunity will find its way to you! 

✨ Martina (Graduate) ✨

• University presents a lot of pressures and as students, we each live them in a different way depending on our social context personality etc. 
• I personally found I was often comparing myself to others: during lessons and exams I would think my performance wasn't up to standard, and outside of University that I wasn't participating enough in societies or making the most of the experiences it offered. It was the pressure of giving 100% to every aspect of my life as a student. This led to anxiety and overworking myself. 
• I think this is an issue that many students face, and has increased exponentially with the use of social media. It was only with time and talking to lecturers about this, that I have learned that sometimes "good enough" was perfectly acceptable and that prioritising was more important than aiming for perfection at expense of my health. 
• Sometimes, you just need to disconnect from social media and simply take time to focus on your own goals, to gain some perspective.

✨ Caoimhe (Graduate) ✨

• I think the biggest pressure I have ever encountered is the daily pressure to be performing 100% in every aspect of my life, university, job and personal life. This pressure led me to experience emotional exhaustion during my final year of university. 
• I overcame this pressure by realising I was putting my own self-worth in the validation of others. This mindset is toxic. After a year of being out of education, my mental health is in a much better place. I am looking forward to starting my postgraduate education.

✨ Preksha (Student) ✨

• I think that, unfortunately, social media has raised our own expectations of ourselves. This has blurred the lines between social and self-pressure. Herein what we observe of the social world around us is often internalised into demands and pressure on ourselves. 
• For example, Instagram has created unrealistic beauty standards and a face that is considered perfect by many. Meanwhile, LinkedIn makes it seem like everyone has been matched with perfect jobs and careers, and are excelling in all aspects of their lives. 
• However, the reality is very different. People very rarely share their struggles on social media and there seems to be a new conformity pressure on our generation to be like those around us in every aspect - looks, professions, social life and more! But please don't believe what you see on social media because that is only a small proportion of the reality. Ignore what you see around you and instead of comparing yourself to others, compare your own previous achievements to yourself. This is what will help us differentiate between social pressure and self-motivation.

✨ Rosanna (Graduate) ✨

• University can sometimes be quite a toxic environment in terms of social pressures and it's easy to be convinced that you have to do it a certain way. We need to challenge the idea that university is always the best time of our life - full of wild nights out, making loads of new friends and pulling all-nighters to finish our assignments. This is the stereotype of student life which people still seem to want to portray on social media. 
• There's nothing wrong with that student experience, but it's not the only one. No matter what people tell you, you don't have to drink, join a society or hang out with that group of people who make you feel uncomfortable. You don't even need to stay at university if it's not for you. 
• All of your decisions are valid and starting a university course doesn't mean you have to behave in any particular way. You are valid and lovely as you are.

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Written by the Student Minds Editorial Team. Find out more about them here.

How applying for jobs impacts your mental health - and how to manage job search stress

Ginger shares how the job application process can be stressful - and how to take care of your mental health while looking for a job.

- Ginger Abbot

Job hunting can be stressful, to put it mildly. Looking for work is a full-time job of its own, fraught with the dangers of burnout, imposter syndrome, and frustration. Believe me — when I was applying for every job under the sun after my graduation, I certainly felt burnt out and emotionally taxed.

However, you can take steps to prepare yourself for the experience and emerge with success. Here are five ways applying for jobs impacts your mental health, as well as tips for managing job search stress.

 

Brings Uncertainty

Many mental health struggles stem from encountering uncertainty. Big life transitions, such as looking for a new job, are very likely to spark an inner battle with uncertainty. When change touches your life, it’s normal to have feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.

The first step to addressing these feelings is to pinpoint them. Write down what you’re worried about and why you’re concerned. Next, make a plan to address these concerns with manageable, achievable goals.

 

Increases Pressure

Job hunting will also reveal the hidden (or not so hidden) pressures in your life. If you are usually hard on yourself, you’ll probably feel a lot of pressure to find the perfect, high-paying job as quickly as possible. That was me — I’m a perfectionist, and I felt incredibly discouraged not only to be applying for low-paying jobs, but not to be hearing back about positions I felt I was overqualified for.

Depending on your personality type, pressure may cause you to shut down or forego opportunities because you feel overwhelmed. The truth is that your job does not define who you are. Neither is your identity defined by your ability to find or get a job. You are whole as a person, no matter what your job is or isn’t.

Letting go of the need to achieve the perfect future can release you to make the most of where you are. You can’t know what will happen tomorrow – but you can choose what you’ll do today. Use your time to invest in yourself, not to spiral with anxiety over the future.

 

Paralyses Creativity

If you focus entirely on the future rather than the present, you may experience “far-sightedness” in your job hunt. This perspective makes it easy to skip steps that are ultimately very valuable in the job hunting process.

Although you may feel a lot of pressure to find the right job quickly, it’s essential to define “right” and “quickly” for yourself. What does your dream job look like? What work will meet your personal, financial, and lifestyle goals? Are those goals achievable, or do they need adjusting?

Creativity and thoughtfulness can’t thrive under stress, but they’re essential to finding a job you’ll love. Take the time to ask yourself what you’d like to do with your life. It’s never too late to change your career path.

 

Deepens Depression

High levels of anxiety or chemical imbalances in your body can trigger a depressed state of mind during a job hunt. It’s important not to shame yourself for negative thoughts and emotions – job hunting is hard and can easily become discouraging.

However, perpetuating those dark thoughts won’t help you in the long term. Your feelings may be overwhelming, but there are concrete steps you can take to improve your outlook and regain hope for the future.

Speak kindly to yourself, and write affirming notes to post around your house. Practice gratitude to rewire your brain and experience all the benefits of a positive outlook. Journal your thoughts, and talk to loved ones for compassion and support. If you’re struggling with long-lasting or severe depression, speak with a doctor and therapist for additional tools.

 

Stresses Your Body

The connection between your mind and body is truly astounding. When you experience mental and emotional stress, your body may react with stomach cramps, hormone imbalance, acne, and a host of other issues.

On the flip side, if you don’t take care of your body, your mind and emotional well-being will suffer. During a job hunt, it’s easy to lose sight of self-care and become wrapped up in your goal. It’s essential to protect yourself by investing in self-care during the job hunt process.

Setting up a routine is a helpful way to practice self-care during this time of transition. Block out time to job search, write cover letters, join networking events, and fill out application forms. Then, block out times to rest, eat nutritious foods, and spend time with loved ones. Your body, mind, and job hunt will all benefit.

 

Take some time to think about how your search may be affecting your mental health. It’s okay if you’re unhappy with what you find. Use this guide to start crafting a plan for self-care, rejuvenation, and optimism.

I believe in you!

 

Whether you are looking for support for your own mental health at university or supporting a friend, help is available.

Ginger Abbot is a student life and education writer who is currently enrolled in graduate school part-time. She also serves as Editor-in-Chief for the online learning magazine Classrooms.