It’s already November, which means for many, graduation is only a month away. In May, another round of seniors will be graduating. With graduation, not only does excitement for the future come, but also anxiety of the unknown. As a senior graduating in May of next year, I share those feelings of excitement to finish a portion of my life that I’ve worked so hard for, but I’m also afraid of what’s to come next. Many of my fellow classmates share the same feelings. Since graduation is around the corner, it is fitting to talk about why everything will be OK after college even if the future is uncertain.
1. You’re still young. Even though the wear and tear of late night studying and sleep deprivation has made most of us feel much older than we are, the reality is we still have the fountain of youth on our side after we graduate. This means that it is OK if you don’t have all the answers right now. In my Christian Media Ethics class a classmate shared some words of wisdom that her father gave her: “Your 20s are for building character and your 30s are for walking in your purpose.” During your 20s you’re learning a lot about yourself, what you’re passionate about, what you strongly believe in and what your greatest strengths are. It’s OK to pursue a plan and have that plan fail or realize that it wasn’t for you. That failure could be the best thing that has ever happened to you because you’re another step closer to finding what you’re meant to do. Life is an adventure, so embrace everything that comes with it, the success and failure.
2. The question is not if, but when. One of the major anxieties around graduation is sparked by two little words: “What if?” What if I don’t get the jobs I applied for? What if I don’t get into the grad school of my choice? The real question is not if, but when. You may not get the job of your dreams when you want to but you will eventually. It may be in a different profession than you planned, it may not be the city that you dreamed of living in, but it will happen if you put the work in. God will allow that blessing to enter into your life at the right time. So don’t worry, you’re in good hands.
3. God has a purpose for you. Everything that God creates has a purpose. He has a reason for everything he does. Because God created you, then that means he has a purpose for your life. If God has a purpose for you, then there is no need to fear what he will do for you after graduation. Matthew 6:26 says it best: “Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you far more valuable than they?” If God takes care of all his creations, then he will take care of you.
He will be there waiting for you when you walk across that stage to graduate, after all, He is your biggest fan.
