June 24, 2025 • 11 mins
This episode is dedicated to all of the newly minted college graduates! You're likely feeling a mix of emotions as you step into what's next, and we invite you to take a moment to process what you're feeling. We also want to make sure you're not so busy focusing on what's next that you don't celebrate the huge accomplishment you've achieved.
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Our Production Team
Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard
Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis
Producer: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Hey, y'all, welcome back to the next episode of Therapy
for Black Girls University. I'm your host, doctor joy Hard
and Bradford, and we'll get right into our conversation after
word from our sponsors, Sis, you did it. We have
(00:32):
arrived at graduation season, and whether you've already crossed the stage,
or powering through your finals, or are eagerly awaiting to
hold your diploma, I want to invite you to pause
and take a moment to ground yourself, not in what's next,
but in what is now. So here are a few
(00:53):
affirmations that might be helpful to carry with you during
this time of transition. You can repeat them alive, save
them in your head, or simply sit with them as truth.
I am allowed to grow slowly. I release the pressure
to have all the answers. My path is unfolding in
(01:17):
its own time. I honor every version of myself. Even
when I feel unsure, I am still moving forward. I
trust that clarity will come step by step. I deserve joy, rest,
(01:40):
and ease. Right here, right now, I am becoming Even now.
Wherever you are on your journey, you are enough. And
here at Therapy for Black Girls, we are so so
(02:01):
proud of you and want to celerate you and honor
you at this very important part of your life. After
you sit with the affirmations, I want you to check
in and let me know how are you really feeling
right now? I'm sure there's a lot going on. The
graduation season can bring up so many different feelings, so
(02:25):
you're likely feeling a mix of excitement, but maybe also
some confusion, maybe some relief, maybe even some grief about
this chapter of your life closing. Lots of different things happening.
You're probably very relieved to be done with school and
feeling like you're ready to move on to your next steps,
but also maybe a little sad about leaving behind friendships,
(02:49):
really leaving behind the idea of things that are very structured.
And even if you're ready to be done, there is
a lot of comfort that comes with us to build
that college offers right, so you can pick your classes,
you hang out with friends, you do some things in
the evenings, do things on the weekends, visit home, do
(03:09):
other things right like it's a very predictable routine, and
so even if you are excited for it to be done,
there may be some sadness related to leaving the stability
of what was very predictable and maybe stepping into some
times that are a little uncertain. And so whatever it
is that you're feeling, I want you to know that
it is okay. All of your feelings are valid about
(03:32):
this experience, even if they are very different than what
other people are feeling. I want you to know that
your experiences are valid. And so if you're feeling both
excited and a little sad or maybe a little anxious,
all of it is totally okay. And it could be
really helpful for you to talk with your peers about
what you're feeling right so, as you are doing this celebrating,
(03:54):
I'd also love for you to spend some time talking
with some close friends about how y'all are processing this
moment and how are you making sense of what's happening
right now? Right like allow people to share what's actually
happening with them. This season can be, like I said,
both very celebratory and exciting, but it also can feel
a little lonely. It can feel a little confusing, especially
(04:18):
if you're not sure what happens next postgraduation. That definitely
is where I was postgraduating. So I graduated from Zaba
University of Louisiana with my bachelor's degree in psychology in
two thousand and did not know what I was doing postgraduation.
Immediately after so, I had applied to several different clinical
(04:41):
psychology programs and was not accepted to any of them,
and for the first time in my life, it was
this real period of not knowing what happens next and
feeling like I had followed all of the rules and
checked all of the boxes and school really was the
only thing I knew was the only thing like that
(05:01):
had been a steady and a steadfast in my life,
and so not being accepted to graduate school to the
PhD programs was I think the first time where I
had worked really hard and not been successful. I think
that there was some questioning of worthiness and like, am
I actually smart enough to do this? Thankfully I was
(05:22):
able to go to a master's program in rehabilitation counseling
and actually was a perfect fit for me. It wasn't
even a feel that I knew existed before I was
not accepted to the clinical psychology programs. And so I
offer that to you in case you were also feeling
unsure of your next steps or thought that your next
(05:42):
steps would be one thing, and now are sitting with
the idea that it may not be what you thought
it was. And it is totally okay to not know.
I know that there's a lot of pressure, and maybe
you've taken out a lot of loans and there's been
a lot of investment in your college career, and that
investment still will be really important. That investment still will
(06:03):
come to pass, But it is okay to not know
and to give yourself some time to figure out what
these next steps will be even if you don't know
right now. So one thing, and if you've listened to
(06:24):
the podcast anytime, you know that I'm a huge fan
of journaling, and I think that if journaling has not
been a practice for you before, it is something that
will likely serve you very well as you continue throughout
your life. And so I'd like to invite you to
start with a journaling practice in the near future so
that you can keep track of how you're feeling, what
(06:46):
kinds of things are coming up for you as you
continue throughout your life. It will be really helpful for
you to be able to track any patterns and really
to just have a place where you can record your
thoughts like you owe yourself and you are deserving of
the time sitting with your thoughts, recording your thoughts, and
then being able to reflect back on them. So a
(07:07):
journaling problem that may be helpful for you in the
near future is what do I need today? Not forever,
but what do I feel like I need today? So
I think a lot of times we get in our
own way, we are so busy thinking about the next
steps that we are just passing by what we actually
need in this moment. And so, in this moment today,
(07:29):
what is it that you feel like you need and
take that to your journal. I also think that in
this period of maybe uncertainty or confusion, or just not
quite sure whether turn, it could be really helpful for
you to seek out resources that are available to you,
either through parents, other loved ones, church groups, alumni networks,
(07:53):
sorority chapters other community organizations. There are lots of people
who have been in the seat that you are in
now who would love nothing more than to offer you suggestions, feedback,
maybe even resources about what are the next steps in
your life if you are only willing to ask, and
(08:14):
so don't be afraid or feel ashamed because you don't
have it all figured out. Very few of us actually
had it all figured out immediately post college graduation, and
so it tapp into your networks. Allow people to pour
into you, allow them to brag, and to introduce you
to other people who may be of great resource to you,
(08:34):
because this is the time to do that. When you
are unsure and have lots of questions, it's really important
to lean into the networks that you've created, that your
family and your organizations have created so that you can
get some support. So if you're feeling uncertain, not sure
of next steps, make sure that you're actually using all
of your resources and your alumni. You are a new
(08:55):
member of your alumni association, and so make sure that
you are looking into people who are doing things that
you're interested in and ask questions and see if they
can connect you with different opportunities or or their workshops
or other things that you can get involved with to
help you get a little bit more clarity about your
next steps. But again, I do want you to know
(09:16):
that it is completely okay to not know at this stage.
At any point, I really want you to go back
to the affirmations that I shared in the beginning, because
when we are feeling a little unsettled, a little unsure,
affirmations can be really helpful to help to ground us.
And so go back to the ones that I've offered,
(09:36):
but I also invite you to create your own affirmations
that can be helpful to you and grounding in this moment.
A couple of years ago, we actually recorded a tbgu
A Therapy for Black Girls University episode called the Growing
Pains of Graduation, where two recent graduates talked all about
this transition in their lives. And I think that that
would be a great listen for you as well. Again,
(10:00):
you know that you are not alone in any of
the things that you are feeling, and you are still
worthy of all the care and consideration and compassion, especially
at this transition in your life. I hope that this
summer is one where you lean fully into playing in
continuing to build connections that will serve you well throughout
(10:21):
the rest of your life. And I hope that you
are actually able to enjoy and celebrate in this moment,
because even if you don't know the next steps, it's
still a big deal that you have arrived here, and
so do make sure that you are taking some time
to celebrate yourself right now, to celebrate with the people
who got there with you, and then know that it
(10:42):
is okay that even if you don't know, the next
steps will fall into place exactly as they should. So,
if you are a recent graduate, we'd love to hear
a little bit about your experiences. Please share them with
us in the comments section or tag us at TVGUS University.
We'd love to hear about your experiences, the experiences of
(11:03):
you and your friends as you are navigating this graduation
season and this transition in your life. This episode was
produced by Elise Ellis, Inde Chubu and Tyree Rush. Editing
was done by Dennison Bradford. Thank y'all so much for
joining me for this conversation. We'll check in with you
again next month. Take good care,
Hey, y'all, welcome back to the next episode of Therapy
for Black Girls University. I'm your host, doctor joy Hard
and Bradford, and we'll get right into our conversation after
word from our sponsors, Sis, you did it. We have
(00:32):
arrived at graduation season, and whether you've already crossed the stage,
or powering through your finals, or are eagerly awaiting to
hold your diploma, I want to invite you to pause
and take a moment to ground yourself, not in what's next,
but in what is now. So here are a few
(00:53):
affirmations that might be helpful to carry with you during
this time of transition. You can repeat them alive, save
them in your head, or simply sit with them as truth.
I am allowed to grow slowly. I release the pressure
to have all the answers. My path is unfolding in
(01:17):
its own time. I honor every version of myself. Even
when I feel unsure, I am still moving forward. I
trust that clarity will come step by step. I deserve joy, rest,
(01:40):
and ease. Right here, right now, I am becoming Even now.
Wherever you are on your journey, you are enough. And
here at Therapy for Black Girls, we are so so
(02:01):
proud of you and want to celerate you and honor
you at this very important part of your life. After
you sit with the affirmations, I want you to check
in and let me know how are you really feeling
right now? I'm sure there's a lot going on. The
graduation season can bring up so many different feelings, so
(02:25):
you're likely feeling a mix of excitement, but maybe also
some confusion, maybe some relief, maybe even some grief about
this chapter of your life closing. Lots of different things happening.
You're probably very relieved to be done with school and
feeling like you're ready to move on to your next steps,
but also maybe a little sad about leaving behind friendships,
(02:49):
really leaving behind the idea of things that are very structured.
And even if you're ready to be done, there is
a lot of comfort that comes with us to build
that college offers right, so you can pick your classes,
you hang out with friends, you do some things in
the evenings, do things on the weekends, visit home, do
(03:09):
other things right like it's a very predictable routine, and
so even if you are excited for it to be done,
there may be some sadness related to leaving the stability
of what was very predictable and maybe stepping into some
times that are a little uncertain. And so whatever it
is that you're feeling, I want you to know that
it is okay. All of your feelings are valid about
(03:32):
this experience, even if they are very different than what
other people are feeling. I want you to know that
your experiences are valid. And so if you're feeling both
excited and a little sad or maybe a little anxious,
all of it is totally okay. And it could be
really helpful for you to talk with your peers about
what you're feeling right so, as you are doing this celebrating,
(03:54):
I'd also love for you to spend some time talking
with some close friends about how y'all are processing this
moment and how are you making sense of what's happening
right now? Right like allow people to share what's actually
happening with them. This season can be, like I said,
both very celebratory and exciting, but it also can feel
a little lonely. It can feel a little confusing, especially
(04:18):
if you're not sure what happens next postgraduation. That definitely
is where I was postgraduating. So I graduated from Zaba
University of Louisiana with my bachelor's degree in psychology in
two thousand and did not know what I was doing postgraduation.
Immediately after so, I had applied to several different clinical
(04:41):
psychology programs and was not accepted to any of them,
and for the first time in my life, it was
this real period of not knowing what happens next and
feeling like I had followed all of the rules and
checked all of the boxes and school really was the
only thing I knew was the only thing like that
(05:01):
had been a steady and a steadfast in my life,
and so not being accepted to graduate school to the
PhD programs was I think the first time where I
had worked really hard and not been successful. I think
that there was some questioning of worthiness and like, am
I actually smart enough to do this? Thankfully I was
(05:22):
able to go to a master's program in rehabilitation counseling
and actually was a perfect fit for me. It wasn't
even a feel that I knew existed before I was
not accepted to the clinical psychology programs. And so I
offer that to you in case you were also feeling
unsure of your next steps or thought that your next
(05:42):
steps would be one thing, and now are sitting with
the idea that it may not be what you thought
it was. And it is totally okay to not know.
I know that there's a lot of pressure, and maybe
you've taken out a lot of loans and there's been
a lot of investment in your college career, and that
investment still will be really important. That investment still will
(06:03):
come to pass, But it is okay to not know
and to give yourself some time to figure out what
these next steps will be even if you don't know
right now. So one thing, and if you've listened to
(06:24):
the podcast anytime, you know that I'm a huge fan
of journaling, and I think that if journaling has not
been a practice for you before, it is something that
will likely serve you very well as you continue throughout
your life. And so I'd like to invite you to
start with a journaling practice in the near future so
that you can keep track of how you're feeling, what
(06:46):
kinds of things are coming up for you as you
continue throughout your life. It will be really helpful for
you to be able to track any patterns and really
to just have a place where you can record your
thoughts like you owe yourself and you are deserving of
the time sitting with your thoughts, recording your thoughts, and
then being able to reflect back on them. So a
(07:07):
journaling problem that may be helpful for you in the
near future is what do I need today? Not forever,
but what do I feel like I need today? So
I think a lot of times we get in our
own way, we are so busy thinking about the next
steps that we are just passing by what we actually
need in this moment. And so, in this moment today,
(07:29):
what is it that you feel like you need and
take that to your journal. I also think that in
this period of maybe uncertainty or confusion, or just not
quite sure whether turn, it could be really helpful for
you to seek out resources that are available to you,
either through parents, other loved ones, church groups, alumni networks,
(07:53):
sorority chapters other community organizations. There are lots of people
who have been in the seat that you are in
now who would love nothing more than to offer you suggestions, feedback,
maybe even resources about what are the next steps in
your life if you are only willing to ask, and
(08:14):
so don't be afraid or feel ashamed because you don't
have it all figured out. Very few of us actually
had it all figured out immediately post college graduation, and
so it tapp into your networks. Allow people to pour
into you, allow them to brag, and to introduce you
to other people who may be of great resource to you,
(08:34):
because this is the time to do that. When you
are unsure and have lots of questions, it's really important
to lean into the networks that you've created, that your
family and your organizations have created so that you can
get some support. So if you're feeling uncertain, not sure
of next steps, make sure that you're actually using all
of your resources and your alumni. You are a new
(08:55):
member of your alumni association, and so make sure that
you are looking into people who are doing things that
you're interested in and ask questions and see if they
can connect you with different opportunities or or their workshops
or other things that you can get involved with to
help you get a little bit more clarity about your
next steps. But again, I do want you to know
(09:16):
that it is completely okay to not know at this stage.
At any point, I really want you to go back
to the affirmations that I shared in the beginning, because
when we are feeling a little unsettled, a little unsure,
affirmations can be really helpful to help to ground us.
And so go back to the ones that I've offered,
(09:36):
but I also invite you to create your own affirmations
that can be helpful to you and grounding in this moment.
A couple of years ago, we actually recorded a tbgu
A Therapy for Black Girls University episode called the Growing
Pains of Graduation, where two recent graduates talked all about
this transition in their lives. And I think that that
would be a great listen for you as well. Again,
(10:00):
you know that you are not alone in any of
the things that you are feeling, and you are still
worthy of all the care and consideration and compassion, especially
at this transition in your life. I hope that this
summer is one where you lean fully into playing in
continuing to build connections that will serve you well throughout
(10:21):
the rest of your life. And I hope that you
are actually able to enjoy and celebrate in this moment,
because even if you don't know the next steps, it's
still a big deal that you have arrived here, and
so do make sure that you are taking some time
to celebrate yourself right now, to celebrate with the people
who got there with you, and then know that it
(10:42):
is okay that even if you don't know, the next
steps will fall into place exactly as they should. So,
if you are a recent graduate, we'd love to hear
a little bit about your experiences. Please share them with
us in the comments section or tag us at TVGUS University.
We'd love to hear about your experiences, the experiences of
(11:03):
you and your friends as you are navigating this graduation
season and this transition in your life. This episode was
produced by Elise Ellis, Inde Chubu and Tyree Rush. Editing
was done by Dennison Bradford. Thank y'all so much for
joining me for this conversation. We'll check in with you
again next month. Take good care,
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