Graduation during a pandemic, this is the psychological explanation

The news of graduation is usually announced when students gather at school. This happy news will feel even more special when hearing it with other school friends. Unfortunately, the moment of graduation for students in 2020 must be passed in a different way during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological conditions for those who missed the moment of graduation during the pandemic

These 2020 students receive their graduation news at their respective homes via electronic messages. Surely there is no moment to share hugs and tears with friends in arms. There's no last day of class, no graduation ceremony, never mind a graduation party.

The moment of graduation is an important period that can affect the emotional condition of adolescents. However, this could not be done because of the pandemic and everyone, including students, was asked to adapt to the recommendations social distancing .

Ludmila De faria, a psychiatrist at Florida State University, says that the culture of the graduation ceremony is one way of guiding a person through life's major events. The moment of walking onto the stage (especially for students) and receiving a mark of graduation represents their transfer to another phase of life.

“Teenagers miss these experiences. They missed the opportunity to connect with their peers during a critical transition to adulthood, ”said De faria.

"They mourn the loss of important events that they should be doing right now in their lives," explained De faria. He refers to high school students who graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The core principles of developmental psychology center on small differences that have a big impact. In this case, especially when the transition is fast and is faced with many choices for the future.

Nancy Darling, professor of psychology at Oberlin College, explains that this transition period is like driving on a slippery road.

“You are nervous but you can't fully control and a slight steering error can have a big effect on the stability of the car. (It) could slip or crash, "wrote Darling.

This also applies to graduation. During a pandemic, a graduation trial, which is usually held in the presence of friends, must be held in person on line and with all limitations.

"When young people miss these important events it is like they are forced to take a little step back or do not progress as expected in this stage of development," explained De faria.

He explained that especially for students who lost the support system that they usually get from colleagues on campus. This experience can be traumatic, especially for those with anxiety.

Tips for providing support if you miss graduation during a pandemic

Professor Darling advised that students who completed the last year of school and missed the moment of graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic must be careful in responding to the conditions.

"For those of you who graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic, cultivating resilience is the best thing to get through this condition," said Darling.

Here are some tips that people around you and students can do in providing support to one another.

1. Understand their feelings

It is important for parents to understand the feelings of their children (especially students and college students at the time of graduation), to understand the sadness and disappointment of the cancellation of graduation and graduation celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For students and students alike, living unpredictable stages of life can be daunting.

"In this case, parents can be a sedative and discussion partner," said De faria.

2. Keep in touch with their friends

Students and university students need to build social relationships or friendships that they can rely on throughout the pandemic.

Staying in social contact even through virtual connections can go a long way toward helping their emotional health. This communication can keep them thinking positively during a pandemic.

3. Make a plan for what to do after the pandemic is over

Even if graduation or graduation parties are postponed or canceled due to COVID-19, students and students can still make special plans after the pandemic ends. For example, going on a trip together or making plans to get together and have a replacement party.

Focus on positive events or activities that can be carried out after the COVID-19 pandemic ends. When they are able to get through this crisis, they will realize that they can overcome difficult situations that make them stronger.

"This will make us stronger, because sometimes our abilities surprise ourselves," said De faria.