Graduation is usually seen as one of the happiest and rewarding times of your life. However, many graduates have a difficult time processing this milestone. Post-graduation blues or depression is an extremely common stage in life where recent graduates feel grief, sadness, emptiness, and anxiety after finishing a stage of their academic career. The loss of a familiar routine, close friendships, and stability from graduation are all factors of this feeling. For how typical post-grad blues are, they are rarely talked about. 

One of the most common symptoms of post-graduation blues is grief. According to Therapy Group of DC, grief emerges when the identity you’ve created for yourself gets lost after college, and includes feelings of sadness, anger, or confusion. Building a life for yourself that includes new relationships, hobbies, traditions, and routines, only to leave it behind forever is difficult to process and adjust to. It is completely normal to miss the stability and familiarity that college offers. However, It’s important to keep in mind that although the factors around you have changed and will continue changing, the one thing that will remain constant is you. You have the ability to carry everything that you loved about yourself from college and progress into the next stage of your life. 

Graduation can also be followed by financial stress, as many recent graduates are expected to rush to find a job that pays enough. Graduates struggle finding a job that matches their education and skill level, leading to underemployment. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that over 41% of recent college graduates were considered underemployed in 2026, meaning they are working a job that doesn’t require high-skill experience, or a college degree. Due to this, it is common for graduates to compare their progress with their peers. Your journey is not meant to be linear or identical to others’, and it is typical to not get the job you were expecting immediately after graduation. As demoralizing as it may feel, taking time off after graduation to figure out career goals, or sticking with a job that may not be your ideal career can be a great opportunity to learn and adjust to your new lifestyle.

There are quick strategies you can implement in your life to prevent or lessen the symptoms of post-graduation blues. Giving yourself time to relax by practicing self-care and doing mindfulness exercises can reduce stress levels. According to South New Hampshire University, practicing knowledge-based stimulating activity can be helpful during this transition. Trying to stay engaged with activities you once loved, or have always wanted to try can help you find enjoyment in things after college. Post-graduation blues or depression is usually temporary, and your state of mind will improve once you adjust to your new lifestyle. Remember that there is always someone to talk to about your feelings, and these challenges do not have to be faced alone.

Article written by: Adriana Kirakosyan “My name is Adriana Kirakosyan and I have a deep love for learning and engaging with different mental health topics. I received my Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from University of California, San Diego in June 2026, and I will continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree in the near future.”