The preparation, anticipation, shopping, lists, and tours- it’s the sign that a new season has arrived: Back to School. For many, this is an exciting time filled with hope, renewed energy for what’s to come, anxiety about what to expect with the change, and an opportunity to feel reassured by the structure and schedule that the back-to-school routine brings about. When we thrive in this structure and routine, the thoughts of what happens when school is over can feel overwhelming. Who am I if not a student, organizing which classes to take next, studying for tests, achieving, and discovering? It’s important to remember that our passion for learning doesn’t have to be defined by our academic achievements; school only provides us with a defined structure.

Being a student isn’t the only opportunity we have to try new things and take on challenges. Finding ourselves is a lifelong journey, and lifelong learning means we create our own structure and routine in a way that honors not only our desire to succeed but also provides an enriching life and new experiences. Being out of school means the opportunity  to identify new hobbies, make new friends, adventure into the world of solo adulthood, and having the mental space to think about what excites us. What kind of life do we want to live? Maybe this anxiousness or overwhelm about what to do next is happening to you now or it is an upcoming change for your young adult children. Exploring these topics with a therapist can be an illuminating opportunity to know how to find your calling and passion for life while honoring a love of learning.