Written by: Morgan Liptak, MAS, LAMFT
One day, you wake up and it’s your first day of high school. You’re looking ahead at four years of possibilities, excitement, maybe even uncertainty, fear, but above all else, what seems like plenty of time. In what feels like the blink of an eye later, it’s already time for graduation (yes, it really did happen that fast!) Maybe high school was a positive experience and you’re not ready for it to end. Or maybe it was a really tough one and you’re counting down the moments until that final bell rings. Regardless of what the last four years looked like, there are many unexpected feelings that may be coming up for you. I encourage you to welcome all of these feelings (positive and negative) as they come and go. It’s important to remind yourself that all of these emotions are normal and the uncomfortable ones are temporary.
Above all, this is an exciting time you’ll want to be able to look back on fondly. I’m sure a lot of peers are expressing happiness and anticipation for upcoming events; graduation, moving out, moving away, college, new jobs, and other major life transitions that come with adulthood. Sometimes there’s an assumption that those that have their next steps all figured out don’t have anything to worry about. This might be true for some but knowing what’s next doesn’t necessarily mean the next few months will be more or less challenging for you to navigate.
Let’s look at some strategies that might be helpful as you finish high school and transition into your next chapter of life, whatever that may be.
Create Structure & Routine
Creating and maintaining a routine can provide a sense of stability and make you feel like you are still in control during a time when a lot of things might feel out of your control. Try doing the same few things each morning when you wake and each night before you go to sleep. Set small goals for yourself, create to-do lists each day or week, and set aside time for school, friends & family, leisure, self-care, and fun.
Stay Present
This is incredibly important. As you know, high school was over before you knew it. Instead of getting caught up in the anticipation of what’s next or stressing about the fall, try staying present in what’s happening in your life right now. Enjoy the last month of school and just appreciate it for what it is. When you’re with friends, pay attention to what they’re saying and soak it all in. If this is the last time you’ll live with your parents, be mindful of how it feels to have family around you all the time, maybe enjoying dinners together or really appreciating a parent taking care of simple tasks for you like laundry. When you catch yourself feeling anxious or overly excited, it’s okay (and normal) but try to bring yourself back to the present moment again and notice it for what it is.
Stay Flexible & Open Minded
If change is something you struggle with, this might be a good time to begin adjusting your perspective on it and working to embrace it. After all, change is inevitable. Trust me, I get it, change is scary and it’s full of uncertainty. However, uncertainty is where we grow and learn. Uncertainty is where we often discover new parts of us that are integral to our identity formation.
While it can be challenging, try to stay flexible and remind yourself that change, discomfort, and even things not going as planned, can often be the catalyst for incredibly positive outcomes.
Stay Connected & Seek Support as Needed
Maintain connections with friends, teachers, mentors, and others from high school. This is especially important after graduation when many might feel disconnected, they have lost their identity as a student, are not surrounded by people constantly, and might even begin to create stories that their friends and peers are moving on with their respective plans. I recommend keeping an open dialogue with friends, mentors, family, and whoever your support system is early on. Discuss summer plans, how frequently you’d like to get together, and even who feels comfortable talking about their own feelings regarding this transition. These relationships can provide emotional support during a time when it’s much needed. If you need support outside of your regular support system, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help. This might be through your school or by finding a therapist.
Hopefully by incorporating some of these strategies, you can enjoy what is left of high school, manage any overwhelming feelings about the future, and embrace the positive opportunities that lie ahead!
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Morgan Liptak is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Arizona State University. She specializes in working with children, teens, and families struggling with anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, self-esteem, life transitions, trauma, and the parent-child relationship.