Life After College Graduation

Years of hard work reaches its peak when you receive your diploma at your college graduation. Hopefully, you started visiting your school's career center a year prior to your graduation to put you in a better position to go straight into a full-time job. Even if you took all of the necessary steps to prepare for your professional life, you might feel the post-collegiate blues coming on. Discover some tips for dealing with these feelings.

Understand Stress

Not all stress is bad. Stress helps you cope with little things, such as making a wrong turn on a highway, or life-changing events like a college graduation. Stress can nudge you in the right direction and encourage you to take action in your life. Your body needs stress to survive, and positive life transitions may cause good stress compared to bad stress. Good stress can lead to positive results for your life, so channel that feeling can help you during your job search and in your new position.

You Are Not Alone

Statistics show that between 2000 and 2012, college students who visited licensed counselors rose 16 percent. As many as 44 percent of college students report feelings of depression during their time in school. If you've ever felt sad, fearful, lonely or confused after college graduation, know that you are not alone. It's normal to feel sad during a major life transition. Seeking the assistance of a mental health professional is nothing to be ashamed of if you feel overwhelmed. Licensed counselors are there to help you, and they can give you tips and tricks to help you manage your feelings amidst a new daily routine.

Structure

Your life in college provided you with a bit of structure and normalcy away from your parents. You knew when to show up in class, when homework was due and what grades to expect. Without that structure after college graduation, you had to replace that routine with something different.

You may not like the changes on the horizon, but try to keep certain routines in your life as much as possible. Develop the same morning and evening rituals for getting up and going to bed. Watch your favorite TV shows, read good books, and eat your favorite foods so your mind can revel in some of the same-old routines you relished before you graduated.

Stay in Balance

Before college graduation, you balanced classes, work, socializing and relationships. Much like a job search or easing into full-time employment, you must also stay in balance. You can't focus solely on perfecting your resume to land job interviews or networking to find the right company to jump start your career. Take a break from the daily grind and do things you enjoy. Socialize with friends, go out to see a movie, and reward yourself for all of your hard work.

If you start to feel the blues following your college graduation, take action as quickly as possible. Keep these tips in mind when you need help coping with bouts of loneliness, anxiety, unease or depression.

Photo courtesy of Austin Community College at Flickr.com