Readers Respond: Got the Graduation Blues?

Note that this form is not for asking questions or replying to another user. Instead, think of it as your own article on how you felt after graduating and whether you experienced the graduation blues. Share Your Experience

Shocking ambivalence

I'm glad that the internet is here to read all of your responses and set my mind at ease. After graduating from a MA program and working for a few years, I decided to return to school to get my AS. I worked so hard throughout the program, and am graduating with a 4.0, as long as I didn't just muss up my finals. I thought all this achieving would make me feel great, but all that hard work and time spent studying just left me a little isolated from friends and family that I didn't have time to meet with during the semester.. I suppose it's time to do my dishes, vacuum, and start the mounds of laundry that have risen out of my closet floor... I think that when one routine ends, it is good to replace it with a new one. Time to buck up and address those things that I have control over in my world. I thank you all for your honesty and encouragement! Very stabilizing to know you are not alone. Best of luck out there~

—Guest guest

I'm with You All

I am so happy that I found these postings. When I tried to find support, the only one who helped was my brother who got his M.D. However, he was focused on his residency program after school. My boyfriend looked at me like I was emotionally unstable or something when I said that it was difficult for me to explain why I am getting so upset 4 weeks before I graduate with my masters. He said that he felt happy after he obtained his CFA. That was a great achievement, but it is not the same thing. This has taken up the last 2 1/2 years of my life. I made huge sacrifices to find out exactly what I loved to study, and I quit a great job because my boss (among others) were unethical. Now, I just feel lost. I have been through some very hard circumstances in life, so I thought that this achievement would feel like home. I guess I feel scared. That just makes me disappointed. Bravo to you all though. Many of your stories were inspiring. Maybe it really is about the journey.

—Guest Guest Jess

Same here

I just finished my last final yesterday and really wasn't all that excited. My Mom noticed and asked why and my girlfriend actually got upset with me because I wasn't excited. It was a long road for me and now that graduation is finally here, I'm just not all that happy. I think I liked the stability and certainty college gave me. I don't have a job yet and I am still interviewing, but the uncertainty of the process is killing me. I think I'll feel much better once I have a job. Until then all I'll have is a fancy diploma and a load more debt.

—Guest Hornet

I did it

I did my last final tonight...I turned it in, the professor said "Congrats" and I smiled from ear to hear and said loudly, "I'm gonna go call my momma!" I was walking back to my car crying because I honestly never thought I would make it and finish. Five long years of hard work. School is all I've known. I have time now and can catch up on the things I've missed. No more tests, quizzes, final exams, group projects, papers, late night study sessions, first days of classes, waiting in a long line for text books...none of that. I feel a sense of accomplishment but also a depressed type feeling...like I'm empty on the inside. My mom said get your masters, but that cost waaay too much! I'm happy! I did it!...no, WE did it. My momma, twin sister, uncles, and aunt have helped me so much and without them, I would have not made it. Commencement is in a week, and I know I'll be crying sooo much more! I'm proud to be an Alum...and I'm scared and excited about starting this new life chapter!

—Guest Sillist

can't believe its over

i just graduated yesterday with myriads of tears as i hug special persons in my life and classmates as well as teachers and now i'm here stressed

—Guest joshuanajivzx

regrets regrets

its really depressing to read all of your posts but it made me feel a little better that i'm not the only going through this. i'm 19 and will be graduating from college in a month..the bad thing is i hate my course. im pretty sure i made the wrong choice when i filled up the college application form about 4 years ago, i should have opted for another course. i wasn't a big of school but i wasn't a slouch either. i've never failed a subject in gradeschool and high school so was doing pretty well. back then, i was sure that i wanted to take up a degree in computer engineering or information technology, but no.. during the last minute and out of fear of Mathematics i picked a degree in Hotel Managament as my first choice and now painfully regret it!!! i have spent almost four years hating it! now i am graduating next month and clueless of what to do next i dont wanna work in the industry as a waitperson or something. i really like writing ever since i was a kid and im pretty good at it.

—Guest ihatemycourse

I made the wrong choice.!

its really depressing to read all of your posts but it made me feel a little better that i'm not the only going through this. i'm 19 and will be graduating from college in a month..the bad thing is i hate my course. im pretty sure i made the wrong choice when i filled up the college application form about 4 years ago, i should have opted for another course. i wasn't a big of school but i wasn't a slouch either. i've never failed a subject in gradeschool and high school so was doing pretty well. back then, i was sure that i wanted to take up a degree in computer engineering or information technology, but no.. during the last minute and out of fear of Mathematics i picked a degree in Hotel Managament as my first choice and now painfully regret it!!! i have spent almost four years hating it! now i am graduating next month and clueless of what to do next i dont wanna work in the industry as a waitperson or something. i really like writing ever since i was a kid and im pretty good at it.

—Guest Sonotmyself

i want my uni back :(

OH THANKS GOD! I'm not alone. It's my last 2 weeks at college and i'm feeling down!! everyone at uni are so excited about graduating, but i feel i'm a weirdo i'm depressed....i will miss everything about it!! it's been 4 years being with my best friend studying hard but having the best time ever! I'v cried cause i felt i lost something so dear ....But after all everything is meant to end,,,,but can't i get my uni baccckkkk :(

—Guest sad grad

Finished uni, got into law, miserable

Not that I'm happy about others' misery, but it's good to know I'm not alone. Everyone else just seems to think graduating is the best thing ever. I cried after my last exam, went out to eat by myself, and then went home to be alone and miserable. I thought graduating would be amazing, to finally feel like I'm making progress toward my life goals. Instead I just feel like a piece of shit. I'm vacillating between dysthymia and major depression, and I keep having flashes of suicidal thoughts. I'm working a shit job, got accepted into a mediocre law school, and have no idea how I'm going to function as an adult. Happy graduation...

—Guest Susan

Conflicting Feelings :(

Even though I was waiting for that moment long time ago , now I doubt that I'm HAPPY. I thought that i would get my life back the moment i put the last full stop and drop the ben. My Dr yesterday asked me in my final exam , "you look so calm while writing" and I said that i should be because it's my final exaaam. It's really a good feeling , to be reliefed ,however, all those vivid memories at university are still in my head. Anyway , it's so hard to say goodbye to all those people whom helped you and stood beside u everyday for four years and they will never be hesitated to help you over and over. It's melancholic :(.

—Guest Ohood

Discombobulated

This is supposed to be the best time of my life! So why to I feel so depressed? I have just finished my masters, got really great results - yet I find it impossible to get out of bed and drag myself to work in the morning. I feel numb and disconnected from everything. People have changed, my family and true friends were very happy for me. But others especially colleagues have started to act weird and highly competitively with me. At the moment I'm stuck in a dead end job which is why I did the masters - to change my situation - and that's it - monumental milestone has occurred and nothing much has changed. I try to apply for higher level jobs but even with the masters they all want experience at that grade, which I have not got all because of this dead end job I've been stuck in. Plus there isn't anything out there - seems this recession is endless - I'm worried that the years will roll by just as they did after I completed my undergrad and I still will not have made it.

—Guest Confused

What do I do with myself?

I'm graduating graduate school in 2 days. I have had a full time job while getting my master's in aerodynamics. Needless to say, I have been working my ass off for the past 5 and a half years (4 undergrad, 1.5 grad). All I know is school as I have been doing it for the last 21 of my total 24 years. Although I am extremely excited to have more free time, I feel like I will get bored very quick. Plus the job I am in really gives me no chance to go past basic entry level engineering skills. Two things are going through my mind, first of all, was all this hard work even worth it? The sleepless nights and inhuman levels of stress? I absolutely love the stuff I was learning and I don't want to stray from that, but my job isn't one that will nurture those skill. The next thing on my mind is what am I going to do with myself? I don't even think I remember how to enjoy relaxing. It helps to know I'm not the only one.

—Guest Max

blues

I also got the blues today I have waited for so long to graduate to only now realize that I actually did not hate university and will miss it I just wish I had realized this sooner and actually appreciated my time there. The saddest part for me today was saying goodbye to a friend who I love very much and even though we will still be friends the fact that I will not see her that much anymore makes me very sad. I also don't know what to do with my life next I always had the mentality of just finish and see what happens next but now I feel like I have wasted years complaining and not appreciating what was in front of me and that the best days of my life are over.

—Guest CR7

After Graduation Comes Loans....

I am definitely feeling depressed about graduating and not knowing what the future holds for me. It's been almost 6 months since I graduated and I still can't find a job where I can advance. I work two part time jobs at two different restaurants right now and feel like my life is going nowhere. Maybe I did pick the wrong major.... and should go back and get another one. I've actually been thinking very hard about it. Even though I'm grateful for my two part time jobs it takes up my time and makes me feel devalued and it definitely makes me feel mad that my degree isnt being put into use!

—Guest SadGraduate

anxiety peak

I have had anxiety my whole life and when I graduated my eczema was at its worst, I was so afraid of what was next becuase there would be noone telling me what to do or how to get a job. I was accustomed to 12 + 3 years of doing assignments and the like with the idea that all this would lead to a better life. I'm trying to learn from my mistakes and not to treat education as a means but rather the simple fact of 'I'm here to learn' that's it. Education is not my life, a job is not my life.

—Guest Ben