Written by: Jaclyn Paveza
The time after graduation can be surprisingly challenging. You are not alone if you have felt lost, stuck, or even depressed since crossing the stage. You have spent years working toward the goal of graduation and it is normal to think that things will fall into place afterwards. However, for many, the transition is not quite what they imagined.
After graduation, the structure of daily life often disappears. A lot shifts and you may find yourself moving to a new city, losing daily contact with friends or other social supports, navigating financial stress, or facing pressures to start your career. Oftentimes, it is not just one of these, but all of them at once.
According to a study by SAMHSA, depression rates in young adults have been steadily increasing over the last ten years. For adults 18-25 depression rates have more than doubled those of the general adult population. This stage of life, while it can be an exciting time filled with new potentials, can also bring significant emotional strain and uncertainty.
How Depression Can Show Up After Graduation
Depression can show up in multiple ways in your life. Symptoms do not have to be chronic to affect you. Common signs can include:
- Feeling disconnected from friends
- Lack of motivation to start your career or job search
- Anxiety about making the “right” job choices
- Comparing yourself to others
- Feeling stuck or overwhelmed
- Difficulty making decisions
Managing & Overcoming Symptoms
If you are experiencing any of these feelings, support is available. Therapy isn’t just for crises; it can help you before things feel unbearable. Engaging in therapeutic services while navigating moments of transition that are filled with disconnection or uncertainty can help provide grounding, understanding, and prevent more challenges in the future. You can also implement strategies to reduce your symptoms outside of therapy. Here are some things to consider:
- Routine: Try creating a routine that you can stick to. A daily routine can help provide structure in your life and help you prioritize other healthy activities such as sleep, which can improve decision making abilities and reduce stress levels.
- Start Small: You do not need to have everything figured out at once. Start small by creating short-term easy goals. Small successes can help remind you that you can achieve your big goals!
- Art Making: Creative expression can be beneficial for processing change that is difficult to name through words alone. You do not need any special artistic abilities to engage in art making. Focus on exploration and the process of making rather than the product. Art making is a mindful practice that can be done with any material: collage, coloring, photography, etc.
- Exercise: Engaging in exercise and keeping your body moving supports your mental health. Try going for a walk or doing a few stretches.
When in the period of time after graduation it is okay not having it all figured out, to not make the “right” decisions, and to not follow a linear path. Navigating this time can be challenging but there is so much room for growth and understanding. If you would like support navigating this time, help building confidence, and gaining clarity on the next steps, therapy can help you not go through it alone.o much room for growth and understanding. If you would like support navigating this time, help building confidence, and gaining clarity on the next steps, therapy can help you not go through it alone.
We are accepting new clients at both our locations in Naperville and Downers Grove! To schedule with a therapist, please email Clinical Director and Psychotherapist, Kelsey Romanoff, LCPC at [email protected].
