Thrown out of my comfort zone.

[LaraW]

Hey guys, my names Lara. I'm 21 years old, and in my final year of a Bachelor of Arts (Film Studies/Literature) at Deakin Uni.

I'm graduating in February next year and I'm just going to be totally honest:

I.am.terrified.

It feels so scary to transition into full time employment, after 15 years of education.

I'm currently living in Melbourne in a share house with my best friends which is totally awesome,

But I'm scared that when I finish my degree i'll have to move back home for financial reasons (I've been unemployed for 2 years now and the film/tv industry is super competitive here). I've been actively job seeking, and volunteered at many festivals, conferences, non government organisations and charities, as well as several clubs on campus and I'm slowly gaining experience in TV production, and short filmmaking. I also have previous experience in the hospitality industry (2.5yrs) back home, however i've struggled to find paid work since moving down to the city.

I've also struggled a lot with stress, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder, while studying at uni, and as a result i've lost a lot of self confidence and self esteem.

I'm slowly learning to prioritise self care, eat healthy and exercise and practice mindfulness with the help of a psychologist but I'm nervous of all the new and scary changes coming up and the lack of structure i'll experience once uni finishes. I'm also really scared about what will happen if i do go home cause home really isn't the most ideal environment. I endured through abuse for eight years as a teen living at home, and going home carries a lot of emotional trauma for me and it feels like a bit of a scary place due to really rough family circumstances, which i don't really feel comfortable talking about right now. So in a lot of ways, it feels like i'm stuck in a rut. I want to find a job but I've been unemployed for so long that i'm scared i'll struggle to pick up work again and won't be able to afford to live in the city, but i also don't want to move back home because its pretty rough at home right now.

Anyway, I guess i'm just trying to stay strong and focus on the everyday. Playing music and taking dance and yoga classes has helped me immensely, but i just don't understand why I'm so afraid of the future, and relentlessly wanting to seek control of the future, despite all the uncertainty which i know my graduation will bring.

Does anyone on here have any effective tips for coping with change? Thanks!

[Hope_for_the_best]

You are a great future planner. You are already actively seeking employment when there are another 6 months before you graduate. Though I am not in your profession, you have a number of volunteering experiences, which I believe would be helpful for job application. You are also proactive in addressing your stress with a psychologist. So please appreciate yourself for doing a good job in preparing yourself to work!

A fear of unknown is perfectly normal. I would suggest that you list all your concerns on a paper and then think of possible solutions. For example, you are worried about getting a job, then you may go career counselling. If you are worried about CV, resumes and interviews, then read some books on these to find out the dos and don'ts during job seeking. This will help you to feel more in control and less anxious. Of course, don't forget your regimen of good self-care, i.e. diet, exercise and mindfulness etc!

All the best.

[okadoka]

Hi Lara,

The fear of 'what next/now' after graduating engulf every graduate. You are not alone.

I'm graduating before the end of this year and like you I never worked part time. I have no plans as of now which is pretty scary. I can't even apply for all jobs as soon as I graduate as I'm not a permanent resident of Australia. I'm ready to accept the worst and hoping for the best.

Yeah going back to place where you do not get respect sucks. But, keep applying for jobs, you never know. Be hopeful and think there might be some good opportunity waiting for you .