By: Alexia Cabreras, Practicum Student Supervised by Melissa Barton, LPC-S The high school transition! What does that mean? Well... precisely what it sounds like, transitioning out of high school! We all spend four years in high school, and one day to the another, we no longer have a place there. Life moves on, we move on, and before we know it, it's time to be an adult. For many, this is an exciting time when you can spread your wings and find your place in the world. While for others, this transition may feel like the world is collapsing all around you, it's hard to know where to go or who to be, what to do! Because let's face it, high school is over!

The Downfall of Leaving High School

Leaving high school is rough! We have looked forward to graduation for so long that the moment it all comes to an end, the world kinda stops. Everyone talks about what life is supposed to be the moment you transition into what will become your new "normal," which there's never a clear answer to anyways. But the reality is, no matter how excited and ready you feel, there will always be some anxiety associated with the high school transition into adulthood. Not only does it affect you both mentally and emotionally because you're practically being forced to be an adult, but moving on is naturally difficult, especially when you aren't ready to do so yet. Let me ask you when you go through a heartbreak, do you move on right away? I highly doubt that! Leaving high school can feel like a breakup! You leave behind something that was so significant and meaningful for such a long period of time; as much as you don't want it to change, you know it has to in order to move forward with life.

So, What's Next?

Give yourself the space to process the feeling, you may even grieve the moment, but that feeling goes away as life moves forward. Be patient, and don't force yourself to be okay. It's okay to be sad; sadness is a core emotion we need to grow and evolve from certain aspects of our life. Once you've allowed yourself to feel, you can find ways to cope by staying connected, building new friendships, finding new interests, and imagining what you want for yourself.

The Light At The End of The Tunnel

I want you to know it gets easier! As time passes, you cherish the memories and the experience, but you learn to move forward. Life begins to feel exciting, it may take some time, but you are becoming the person you want to be. You will start to find yourself and question what's the next step in your life; even if you don't know yet, that's okay because, at some point, you will. Adulting sometimes sucks too, but get excited about the perks of being an adult because you're one step closer (whether you like it or not!).

Begin Therapy for The High School Transition in Katy, TX!

If you are about to embark on the high school transition, one of the therapists at The Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

• Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more about emotionally focused therapy
• Meet with one of our compassionate therapists
• Find ways to thrive in your relationship!

Other Therapy Services We Offer: 

Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men's issues, women's issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!