Story I just graduated from college with my Bachelor's today but feel strange

[CrazyDiamond04]

It's crazy posting this here but I just graduated from college with my Bachelor's in Psychology (ironic I know). I feel a weird mix of feelings after this; I feel proud of myself for doing so well in college (I graduated Summa Cum Laude alongside other things) but I also feel hesitant towards the future. To be frank, I'm worried about jobs. I want to do master's in IO psychology alongside the professor who I did research with and won an award with but it's so damn expensive in terms of tuition and such. I would like to get a job during the summer but I still suffer from a lot of anxiety in terms of interviews and dealing with customers and such. I feel like there's a massive split in my existence, that with my time in school and everything outside of it. I feel worried about the future.

 

[Forveleth]

Graduating college is a weird feeling because tiu are not in school for the first time in basically your entire life. It is a big transition and it is perfectly normal to feel scared and lost.

 

[Lamentice]

Congrats on graduating!! Huge accomplishment! But you're at a new crossroads with what do with your future & have closed the book on an entire chapter of your life, totally makes sense to feel strange and uncomfortable. Have grace with yourself, you don't need to figure out exactly what's next right now (if you don't have to), maybe take some time to celebrate and unwind (again, if you can, I hope you can!).

I imagine it might feel similar to moving, staring into the empty rooms of an old apartment you lived years of your life in before you switch the lights off and turn in your keys. It doesn't feel exciting, it feels empty and off, the new place doesn't feel familiar or like home. It's just an adjusment, you're in transition.

Take some time :) and still, super congrats!!!

 

[UserFromNowhere]

I want to do master's in IO psychology alongside the professor who I did research with and won an award with but it's so damn expensive in terms of tuition and such.

If you can, although you might not be able to do it alongside the same professor as you've been working with, try looking into PhD programs. They are typically well-funded with grants and stipends and work positions (largely research or teaching assistant) that make it so you don't have to pay anything. But PhD programs are fairly strenuous as well and may take another 6 years out of your life whereas a Masters would only take 2-3. PhD programs can be hard to commit to.