School is Fast Approaching: Navigating A Life Transition & The Nerves that Come With It
School is Fast Approaching: Navigating a Life Transition and the Nerves That Come With It
It’s normal to feel resistant to change, no matter how “good” the changes are. Our brains are wired to prefer predictability, routine, and habit. Any disruption to this — good or bad — can trigger an anxious response. Odds are, you’ve grown comfortable in your role as a college student over the last four years, and now you’re stepping into newness: new experiences, new identities, and new responsibilities. And, with anything new, there is always a level of uncertainty and risk that goes along with it; that’s where your fear response kicks in.
So, first thing’s first, let go of the ideas of how you “should” feel, and show yourself some compassion for the anxiety that’s present. It’s entirely normal! You’re embarking on a major life transition, and it’s understandable that this would be nerve-wracking. Try to remember this phrase: “Do not shoot yourself with the second arrow”. What this means is, that the “shoulds” and “coulds” are an added layer of stress that you don’t need. The first arrow you are shot with is the stress of school being just around the corner - this, you don’t have full control over. The second arrow, however, you DO have control over, which is you being upset with yourself for being stressed about school being around the corner. Start with accepting that it is OKAY to feel nervous or anxious about change.
The good news is that humans are incredibly adaptable, and oftentimes, it’s the in-between time, the period of transition, and the state of anticipation that’s the hardest part. One way to make this feel a little more manageable is to create some structure and stick to a routine. I recommend incorporating mindfulness and grounding exercises into your day, which can take the form of meditation, journaling, or mindful movement, such as yoga or dance therapy.
Try this exercise: The 4-4-8 Breathing technique is great to use when you feel stressed or tense because it can help to calm the nervous system, clear the head of distractions and reduce stress. Try integrating this exercise into your daily routine. You will find even more benefit in this exercise if you are able to start the day off and close the day off with this exercise.
• While sitting, breathe in through your nose for a count of 4, taking the breath into your stomach.
• Hold your breath for a count of 4.
• Release your breath through your mouth with a whooshing sound for a count of 8.
• Without a break, breathe in again for a count of 4, repeating the entire technique 3-4 times in a row.
• Focus on counting when breathing in, holding the breath, and breathing out.
It’s also important to recognize that change is never perfect (nothing in life is!). It’s okay if you’re feeling lost, conflicted, confused, or anxious right now. Remember, those feelings won’t last forever.
You might find it helpful to use affirmations for accepting change whenever these feelings arise, such as:
Change is hard, and I can do hard things
I can choose to believe things are working out in my favor
I’ve made it through changes before, and I can make it through again.
Feeling resistant to change doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, it means you’re human. You’re leaving your comfort zone, and although that’s hard, it’s also what ultimately leads to growth.
Now if you feel like this struggle is much to overwhelming for you to manage alone, look no further! Repose has 20+ therapists that specialize in managing college mental health, stress, depression, anxiety, and overwhelm that stems from major life transitions. Schedule a 15-minute consultation with the Repose Team to see if we are the right fit for you!