Graduation day is on the horizon and the anxiety bubbling amongst finalists is palpable! Whether there are plans for September lined up or not, it’s a time full of questions: What should I do next? What will it be like? What will my parents think? How can I maintain my friendships?
If only there were a collection of easy-to-read stories from slightly older people sharing their experiences of graduating … oh wait! Last year a group of us realised that a resource like this was desperately missing from Christian bookshelves, so we got together to pool the lessons we’d learnt. The result is a slim, light-hearted book that offers practical advice for walking with God through the many changes that come with graduating.
Here’s an extract from Alexander’s insightful entry titled ‘Emptiness’:
“For the majority of those who I have interviewed regarding leaving university, there often comes a sense of emptiness post-academia. It’s often hard to put a finger on, but it can sometimes feel like a form of depression or grief. Though there’s not a lot that can heal this temporary sensation, knowing that it is totally normal does help.
Vocalise what actually hurts. Speak to God, family members, friends, even pets. Whatever you do, don’t quit. There are cases of graduates leaving their new job to move back home due to the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia. The truth is that the ‘university you’ is dead … long live the new you! You swam the river and enjoyed it thoroughly, but welcome to the ocean. The waves are bigger, the water is colder, but believe me it can be even more rewarding.”
The transition from education into the workplace is a crucial time for discipleship and so our prayer is that the book is a huge encouragement to graduates. We've been honest about the difficulties they are likely to face, but always try to point back to core truths about who they are in God. It will make graduates think about some of the changes that are ahead, so that they can make good decisions which set them up well for a working life with Jesus.
If you’re a finalist – make sure this is one of your holiday reads. If you’re a student worker or church leader, why not buy a bundle of books and wrap them up with some chocolates as a graduation gift for the students that have blessed your community over the past few years. The thoughts and conversations that this simple gift might spark are priceless.
