Journal Prompts for Graduates

Graduation season has arrived! Whether you are a graduate (ranging from a high school graduate, college or trade school graduate, med school, law school, or anything else), or if you love a graduate, here are some journal prompts designed to help the grad go beyond "so whatcha doing next?" and actually process the transition.

Reflection

1. What challenge have you faced from school that has changed you the most? How?

2. What advice would you give freshman (first year) year you?

3. What are you leaving behind, emotionally?

4. What is one moment from school that you never want to forget?

5. What did you survive that most people wouldn't understand?

6. What is a belief of yours that has changed in this chapter of life?

Identity

1. Who are you out of your achievements, titles, and awards?

2. What strengths have you discovered in yourself?

3. When did you feel most like yourself this year?

4. What values matter the most to you as you enter adulthood?

5. What expectations (of yourself, or from others) are you ready to let go of?

6. What kind of person do you want to become? (Not what job do you want?)

The Next Chapter

1. What excites you most about what is coming next?

2. What scares you about graduating?

3. How do you handle change when life feels uncertain?

4. What is something you wish adults had told you about growing up?

5. If you could take away all your fear, what would you do?

6. What feels unfinished? And what can you do about it?

Relationships and Gratitude

1. Who in your life deserves a thank-you letter, and what would it say? (Totally optional to actually send it, too)

2. What relationship challenged you to grow?

3. What friendship taught you the most?

4. Who do you want to stay connected with, and why?

5. What teacher influenced you the most? How so?

The Future

1. Write a letter to yourself to open in 5 years.

2. What does "success" mean to you?

3. What kind of life feels meaningful?

4. What risks are worth taking in this season of life?

Mental Health Themed

1. What coping skills have gotten you through hard times?

2. What emotions are you carrying into graduation?

3. How will you know when you need extra support? Who will you talk to? How will you get the support you need?

4. What does rest look like for you?

Fun Bonus Ideas...

1. Create a time capsule of your school experience - prom tickets, songs, funny memories

2. If your school experience was a soundtrack, what songs would be on it?

The transition out of school is no joke - high school to college, college/trade school to the work force, or to graduate school. It's hard. At Caring Conversations, we've helped multiple graduates navigate transitions into young adulthood. Please give us a call - 724.201.9815 - servicing the Greensburg, Pennsylvania area (virtually across Pennsylvania)