Quarter Life Crisis at Student Age: It’s Real

CampusNet – A quarter life crisis is a phase that is often experienced by individuals around the age of 20-30.

“How come I feel stuck, even though it’s only the fifth semester?”

This sentence may be familiar to students. Although your 20 are known as the golden age to explore your identity and build your future, it turns out that many feel lost. This phenomenon is also known as Quarter Life Crisis (QLC).

What is Quarter Life Crisis?

Quarter Life Crisis is a time when a person starts to feel anxious, confused, or unsure about the direction of their life. It usually comes during 20s to 30s. It is usually characterized by questions such as:

1. “What exactly do I want to be?”
2. “Is this major suitable for me?”
3. “My friends have started working, I’m still struggling to finish my thesis.”

Althought it may sound like a trivial problem, QLC can have an impact on a person’s mental health, motivation, and productivity, especially students.

Why Can Students Experience QLC?

1. Sosial Pressure & Expectations Social media often showcases the achievements of others, leading to feelings of “missing out”. Successful peers can trigger an identity crisis.
2. Transitioning to Adulthood College is a time of transition to adulthood. Students are faced with important decisions such as career, finances, and personal relationships.
3. Uncertainty about The Future Many students don’t know exactly what field they will work in, or whether their passion can be turned into a profession.
4. Overthinking & Imposter Syndrome Feeling not good enough, doubting your abilities, or fearing failure can all trigger QLC.

Characteristics of You’re Experiencing QLC

1. Frequent anxiety for no apparent reason
2. Feeling dissatisfied despite efforts
3. Often comparing oneself to others
4. Loss of motivation to study or organize
5. Wondering about the meaning of life or personal goals

How to Deal With it

1. Recognize and Accept Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel confused. It’s a sign that you’re growing and finding yourself.
2. Reduce Overthinking, Focus on the Process: Instead of fixating on the outcome, start focusing on the small steps you can take today.
3. Share Stories with Friends or Mentors: Believe it or not, you’re not alone. Many of your friends are going through the same thing.
4. Make Time for Yourself: Try to make time for reflection, journaling, or just a relaxing walk. This can help calm your mind.
5. Seek Professional Help If Necessary: Perhaps a campus counselor or psychologist can be a safe place to vent and find solutions.

Quarter Life Crisis is not the end of the world. Instead, it’s a natural alarm that you’re growing and ready to take more mature steps in life. So, if you feel like you’re in this phase, rest assured that you’re not alone, and it’s all part of the process of getting to the best version of yourself.

Baca Juga: Melihat Fenomena Quarter-Life Crisis Mahasiswa