With just a month left until graduation, seniors are feeling a mix of excitement, nostalgia and perhaps a little anxiety. The countdown has begun, bringing the realization that in just a few weeks, the familiar routines, friendships and challenges of college life will become memories. While for many this is a time of reflection and celebration, it is also full of stress as students are preparing for graduation and life after.
The cost of graduation itself is a source of stress for some students. At GCSU, the graduation application is $60, and buying a cap and gown is another $160. This makes the lowest amount most students could spend for graduation $220.
Along with things that a lot of students enjoy doing to celebrate graduation, such as buying ceremonial outfits and taking graduate photos, the cost of graduating can even be upwards of $400 for a typical student at GCSU.
This cost is also on top of the thousands of dollars students have paid in tuition, books, housing and just the general cost of living as a young adult.
Along with this financial stress, there is also the impending weight of needing to secure a full-time job as quickly as possible after graduation. The cost of living is not getting any lower, and being in the job market is always a point of stress. For graduates entering into a full-time position for the first time, it can be exciting to find your next move and nerve-wracking at the same time.
Though many student work part-time throughout college, for most, after graduation is their first time working in a setting that actually applies what they have spent the past years learning. This anticipation can cause a combination of excitement and anxiety, alongside a hope that they will even manage to secure a position related to their chosen major. It is no secret that many degree fields have limited entry-level positions, and it is not uncommon to end up working somewhere completely different than what one spent college aiming for.
But some students are more certain. Through connections, hard work and a strong resume, many students are more than ready to attack their anticipated career field, confident that they have honed themselves to be the perfect candidate for desired positions.
“Truthfully, I’m excited about what’s after GCSU because I’m confident in myself and the tools that this university provided me with to succeed,” said Ricky Smith, senior political science major. “In the end, there’s nothing to be nervous or ready about, it’s about taking all of the past four years’ worth of energy, effort and hard work into the next opportunity and hitting the ground running.”
Preparation for graduation is not only about buying fun things and applying to jobs, but it is also about finishing the schoolwork for your last few classes, which can be a handful in itself. Senior exit exams vary depending on major. For mass communication, it involves building and compiling work for a professional online portfolio, for political science, it is a final research paper and for others, it is an actual exam.
“At this moment, my focus isn’t on being nervous or being ready to graduate, it’s on getting to the stage,” Smith said “I’ve spent the past year working tirelessly on my research thesis, interning and working for two campaigns, all while sprinting for the end zone.”
For seniors, balancing these final academic tasks with job applications and graduation expenses can feel like a full-time job. Many find themselves juggling last-minute assignments, wrapping up internships and preparing for exit exams—all while managing the pressure to secure a future career. This balancing act is often overwhelming, but it also brings a sense of accomplishment and anticipation.
Despite the stress, many seniors are determined to end strong and make the most of their final month. They are eager to take the skills and experiences they have gained and turn them into career opportunities. For now, the goal is clear: finish the last few weeks with focus, celebrate the journey and step confidently into the future.
“Applying for jobs and finishing all of these assignments is a lot, but I know it is short-term stress, and overall, I am just excited for the future,” said Pete Bryant, a senior management information systems major.
Graduation is a time of excitement and stress, but overall it is a meaningful transition into a new phase of life. It marks the culmination of years of hard work, friendships and personal growth. For many, it is a bittersweet farewell to college life and an open door to new challenges and opportunities ahead.
