BY: CHARLIE
Dear Charlie is an advice column that allows readers to ask Charlie for guidance on how to deal with problems. Whether it’s about love, friendships, or frustrations, Charlie is here to give you tips and ideas for tackling life’s everyday challenges. Readers can ask Charlie for advice through DM via our Instagram @liubknews, or anonymously through this form.
Hi there, it’s Charlie — for the last time this school year.
As we approach the end of the semester, some students are walking the halls of a college campus for the very last time. Graduating seniors are only weeks away from being tossed straight into the deep-end of the pool known as adulthood. There is no campus to go back to after the summer break; no safety to be had in having life scheduled by someone else (unless you plan on going to grad school, of course!).
In moments like this, moments of drastic change, it is completely normal to feel nostalgic about your time in college. In fact, nostalgia is the most common among young adults. It makes sense: a lot of things are uncertain after graduation, when the routine of going to school and having classes — a structure many have existed within since childhood — is taken away. While this means independence, it also means more responsibilities. For some, that means having to find a job. And even for those lucky enough to have a job lined up after graduation, the responsibilities can pile up and feel overwhelming. It is during times like these that nostalgia can have a comforting effect and help people feel more in control.
But while nostalgia, according to most contemporary research (for centuries, it was considered a disease!), is good, it is often bittersweet and can, if taken to the extreme, have negative consequences.
So, for everyone out there who find themselves reminiscing a little too much now as school is coming to an end, here are some tips for how to maintain a healthy level of nostalgia.
Reflect on your experiences
Take some time to think about all the positive experiences you had during the school year. Think about the friendships you made, the lessons you learned and the memories you created. Write them down in a journal or share them with a trusted friend or family member. This can help you appreciate the good times you had and remind you that you have grown and learned a lot during the year.
Keep in touch
Just because the school year is ending, it doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to your friends and professors forever. Make plans to stay in touch over the summer or plan a get-together for the future. Social media and messaging apps make it easier than ever to stay connected, so take advantage of these tools to keep in touch with the people who matter to you.
Focus on the future
Instead of dwelling too much on the past, focus on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Whether you're moving somewhere new, starting a summer job or preparing for grad school, there are plenty of new experiences waiting for you. Make a list of your goals for the future and take steps to achieve them. This can help you feel more positive and excited about what's to come.
Take care of yourself
Ending a school year can be stressful, so make sure to take care of yourself during this time. Get enough sleep, eat well and make time for activities that make you feel good, such as exercise or spending time with friends. Taking care of yourself can help you feel more resilient and better able to cope with any negative feelings you may be experiencing.
Nostalgize a couple of times a week
Being nostalgic isn’t a bad thing. Allow yourself to reminisce about your college-years — maybe play your freshman-year anthem on repeat for a few minutes and allow it to take you back there for a little while. Especially if you’re feeling anxious: as long as you don’t let the memory of the past take precedence over the present, it will be good for you.
Remember these things as you navigate your end-of-school nostalgia. Because let’s face it: graduating is difficult; facing an uncertain future is difficult. So take care of yourself and dip into that memory bank of yours: you’ll be better for it.