Why It’s Normal To Struggle With Life After University

We work so hard to get to the end of a degree and can’t wait to feel that sense of relief as we hand in our final assignment. But what about after that? Life may not be what we expected. Filled with uncertainty, a sense of loss, and many forms of adjustment, it can be a difficult time for the best of us, but that’s okay.

BOOM. You’ve graduated. What a relief. What an achievement. But then… what now? I was so focused on getting to the end of my degree that I barely thought about how I’d feel afterward. I was proud of the hard work I’d put in, but I felt slightly underwhelmed with it all coming to an end, especially with no graduation ceremony to mark the occasion.

Reality kicked in, and I kept asking myself: Do You Know What You’re Doing After University? I didn’t know what to do next and then the underwhelming feeling was met with a feeling of serious apprehension about the future.

I felt like I’d lost my purpose and wasn’t sure when I would regain it. During this time, I spent a lot of time reflecting on how to adjust. Bringing a sense of understanding to my situation helped me regain control and tackle how I was feeling.

Here are 6 things that have helped me understand why life after graduation might be a little difficult - I wished I had known that it is completely normal to feel the graduation blues. 

Adjusting To Moving Back Home

Some of us stay in our university towns, some move to a new city, but a lot of us face moving back home after finishing university. Back to our childhood bedrooms, cramming our personal belongings that have multiplied at least 3 times over the past few years, and adjusting to being around family again. While I’m lucky enough to get along with my family, I know for others it can be really difficult moving home. It’s easy to feel stuck, lonely, and frustrated, especially when there is friction. Losing your independence can be hard, especially when you don’t know when you’ll be able to get it back.

For me, once I accepted my current situation, started to count things to be grateful for while living at home (saving money for one!), and reminded myself that it won’t be forever, I started to feel a lot more positive...

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