For college seniors, this time of year brings a lot of excitement about what’s around the corner after they complete their undergraduate experience. It also brings a tremendous amount of stress and emotional conflict. At DipCares, it is not uncommon for us to see seniors referred to our program because they are feeling anxious and depressed. This is normal — leaving college and going out into the “real world” is a major life transition. As parents and caregivers, how can you offer support?

• Assure your senior that any anxiety and/or sadness is normal. There are a lot of unknowns, big transitions are hard, and they will be saying goodbye to many friends and faculty members they have grown to love.
• For some students, heightened feelings of burnout can make graduation seem anticlimactic. Maybe how they envisioned their graduation at the beginning of college is nothing like the approaching reality. Help them put this into words.
• Encourage your senior to start making new connections in whatever their next environment may be, via community groups, engaging with alumni, or attending programs offered through resources like the Center for Career and Professional Development.
• Help them create a plan of action and timeline for the next year: What are their main goals? What kind of jobs or travel are they going to try and line up? How will they manage a budget?
• To help keep them grounded, remind them not to forget their larger purpose in life, especially in these next few months that will be marked by change.
• Give them freedom to figure things out on their own. Don’t try to control every aspect of their life as they figure out next steps and where they’re headed.
• Remember: Simply listening to your student express their worries and concerns about the future is one of the most effective ways to offer support, and can be a great stress reliever for them.
• Be aware of the warning signs of depression in young adults. If they are struggling with this time in their lives, look for a therapist in your area who specializes in life transitions and the types of challenges young adults face.
• A helpful resource for seniors is our Center for Career and Professional Development. Encourage them to make an appointment with an adviser from the Career Center, or attend Career Communities drop-in hours.

DipCares

Many students face challenges during college that can interfere with their success. DipCares is a wellness program at F&M that directs students toward available supportive resources, empowers them to seek them out and ask for help when needed, and ensures faculty and staff know how to help if students are distressed.

Learn more »