Many people believe that your college days are some of the best times of your life. From making new friends to exchanging new ideas, there’s rarely a dull moment. But nothing lasts forever, especially college. And once you’ve earned the diploma, your friends have packed up and left town, and the payment-due student loan letters arrive in the mail, reality sets in. This is when many new graduates are uncertain about what to do next.
Post-graduation may also be a time when many graduates experience a bout of depression. It’s no wonder, considering that after college’s emotional highs, the low that sometimes follows can be difficult to overcome. However, the sooner you accept that this period is only temporary, the sooner you can get on with your life. Here are a few suggestions that might help:
Maintain Friendships
Parting ways with your college friends may be one of the most difficult things about graduating from college. Truth is, many of the people you spent nearly every waking hour with are no longer there to turn to, and some of them may not even be in the same time zone. Don’t overlook the anxiety and loneliness that accompanies this change.
Keep in mind, however, that although your friends may not be present, they’re not gone. Current technology makes staying in touch easier today than it has been for any previous generation. With text messaging, video chat, social media (and the old-fashioned telephone), you can choose to remain a part of each another’s lives.
Go After Your Career
This may sound obvious, but many people find it intimidating to switch gears from student to professional. You’ve spent years gathering the necessary tools to succeed. Now it’s time to put what you’ve learned to use.
Regardless of your vocational passion, try to land a job as soon as possible after graduating. Even if it isn’t your dream job—or you’re still uncertain about your career choice—it’s important to maintain the momentum as you transition from college to the workforce. This makes it possible to meet new people, provides an added sense of accomplishment and offers the chance to test what you’ve learned.
Find New Ways to Meet People
Many people discover that it’s challenging to forge new friendships after college, and the methods you’re accustomed to may no longer be effective. Instead of heading to the bar or the library, you may want to join new clubs or young professional associations, or engage with your co-workers. Remember that you’re not alone. There are plenty of other post-grads trying to figure it out as well.
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
It sounds cliché, but it’s important to realize that you don’t have to accomplish all of your life goals in the first six months after graduation. Some graduates decide to travel or move back in with their parents for a while, and that’s okay. Finishing college is one of the most significant milestones in life, and the period of transition that follows affects everyone differently. Approach that transition at your own pace, and take pride in what you’ve already accomplished.
David Lowenstein, Ph.D. is a Psychologist and the Clinical Director of Lowenstein & Associates, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to providing therapeutic services to individuals and families, he offers training and consultation to numerous associations, schools and agencies around the country. Additionally, he is a frequent radio and TV guest and a resource and contributing writer for numerous newspapers and magazines nationwide. Contact Dr. David Lowenstein at 691 South Fifth Street Columbus, OH 43206 or by phone at 614.443.6155 or 614.444.0432.
