By Jill Baker, Managing Editor of Design
The class of 2019 has started their final stretch and the countdown to graduation brings both stress and motivation.
There are three crucial parts to the senior’s journeys to adulthood: mental health, physical health and professional preparedness.
“Honestly, the older you get, the more okay you are with the uncertainty,” Susquehanna’s Career Development Center’s (CDC) assistant director of career development, Christian Reifsteck, said. “It’s a component of life.”
Tonya Valentine, interim program coordinator at the university counseling center, discussed what often plagues outgoing classes.
“Deciding on going to graduate school or starting their career,” Valentine explained. “[This] includes stressors that may take students to new locations, away from family and friends. The thoughts about these decisions can often lead to feeling overwhelmed and more stressed, while still maintaining academics, social life and work.”
She followed up by stressing the importance of students giving themselves a break when they are maintaining this stress. She explained that simply 10 minutes of self-care is highly important.
Valentine identified the Take 5 Zones across campus and the newly opened Amy E. Winans Center for Wellness in Seibert Hall as places to practice self-care, or simply just stop and take a breath.
“Eating well is another important part of taking care of yourself, which often is forgotten by busy students, especially as you are rushing from one activity or class to the next,” Valentine continued. “Overall wellness often gets pushed to the side, but if you are able to focus on [self-care], you will hopefully notice vast improvements in your ability to care for yourself and your wellbeing.”
She gave ways to practice self-care, including taking a walk or exercising, connecting with family and friends that inspire happiness and being surrounded with positivity for a mood improvement.
Not only is it important for students to take care of their person, but also to focus on professional development.
Reifsteck emphasized the importance of students knowing themselves and how to communicate and market them to an employer. “For instance, if you’re selling a car,” he elaborated, “and I ask you about the features of the car and you don’t know them, you aren’t going to be able to sell me that car.”
Reifsteck explained that in the role of job seeker, getting the job is the most important part. But for the employer in the situation the new hire is not typically their priority, which can lead to stressfully long response times.
“[You also have to recognize] that your life is going to take multiple paths and go in multiple directions and you can’t always figure that out,” he said. “So don’t put pressure on yourself to have it all figured out.”
He continued discussing how a student’s first job out of college does not have to be everything that they want to end up being. Career anxieties cause jumping around, but putting in the hard work at any starting job will lead to bigger success.
Michaeline Shuman, assistant provost and director of career development, noted helpful services offered at the CDC: meetings can be scheduled with a career coach to review or create a plan, conversations with faculty, friends and family about plans can be facilitated and feedback and advice from those also pursuing a similar path can be sought out.
“Have [your resume or C.V.] reviewed by several key individuals: a career advisor, a member of the faculty or staff who is familiar with your field of interest,” Shuman advised. “Ideally someone working in that field or industry, perhaps an alumnus who understands the field and also has an understanding of your Susquehanna experience.”
In addition to mental health and professional life, physical health needs to be a priority for students as well.
“A working knowledge of their health insurance policy, what it covers, and where, will reduce unnecessary costs, stress, anxiety and frustration,” lead nurse at Susquehanna’s Student Health Center, Elizabeth Magill emphasized. “Also, graduates should understand which signs and symptoms of illnesses require a visit to a health care provider. Graduates should know what to expect and what actions should be taken when specific symptoms arise.”
Magill explained that the most common health mistakes in individuals’ early twenties are not developing good healthy habits.
She spotlighted a few ways that students can take care of their physical health: practice safe sex including regular check-ups and STD testing, as well pairing a healthy diet with learning how to cook.
The next year of the class of 2019’s lives are pivotal, and in some ways a fresh start. By practicing healthy behaviors, students are able feel confident entering the post-graduate life.