Finishing college and moving on to new things can be exciting, and you might have been looking forward to it for a while. It can also change your life in a huge way. You might be moving back or away from home, starting work full-time or graduate school, and spending less time with your college friends.
Give yourself time. Any change takes a while to adjust to, especially a big one like finishing college. You might not feel properly settled until after you start work or graduate school and can settle into a new routine.
Keep in touch with friends. Leaving college can be a time when your group of friends changes. But don’t worry—your old friends are likely to stay friends even if you don’t see them or speak with them regularly. Keep in touch with your friends even if it is not on a regular basis. Call them, e-mail, Facebook, or online chat.
Find your own space. Creating your own space can be increasingly important as you gain more independence. You might achieve this by gaining more personal space in your family house, or by moving out. Talk with your family or roommates to develop a respect for both your needs and theirs. It might be difficult for your family to understand why you need extra space, and this can cause conflict.
Getting a job. You might decide to get a job right after school instead of going on to more school work. Check out the Looking for work after graduation and Applying and interviewing for jobs fact sheets for more info.
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
