After I submitted my final essay one evening in May, the realisation that I had officially finished university hit me. While I was happy that I had achieved this significant milestone and had no more essays to write, I felt lost. Many of my friends have reflected this sentiment, saying they didn’t realise it would have such an impact. But it’s understandable and more common than you think. Finishing university means a lot of changes all at once; you lose your routine, people move away, and you have to decide what to do after graduation. With this in mind, I've found ways to manage the post-uni blues – here’s how.
Celebrate
I wanted to mark this huge achievement, so the day after I finished, I grabbed drinks with friends to celebrate. I’d also planned a holiday a few weeks after my final deadline, which was very relaxing after months of studying. Finally, I treated myself to a few items that had been on my wish list for a while – nothing beats the dopamine rush of a new purchase.
Connect with others
I’m making sure to spend as much time with my friends and family as possible, whether that's having a movie night, meeting for lunch, or exploring a new part of London together. It’s great to have fun and talk about how I’ve been feeling the past couple of months with people who care about me. The cliché is true – a problem shared is a problem halved.
I’m also trying to make new friends outside of university. I was involved in societies for years and will miss them now that I’ve graduated. I still like a bit of organised fun, so I’ve been looking for social groups around London. I recently went to a couple of events at The Feminist Library in Peckham. It was such a welcoming environment and I loved meeting like-minded people. Trying new things can be nerve-wracking, but it’s given me the confidence to expand my social circle now that I have the time to do so.
Self-care
Self-care is something that I’ve been working on for a while now. It’s essential when feeling low, even though it can feel even harder. I’ve been keeping to a routine, including regular exercise, which always perks me up. I find using a habit tracker helps. I use Finch because it’s free, cute, and makes my routine into a game.
Support
Lastly, I know where I can go to for support. I have therapy once a fortnight, which has helped me process this massive change. King’s also provides support services to alumni, such as Money & Housing Advice and Careers & Employability appointments. These will be great tools for helping me figure out my next step. There are also several mental health services you can access after graduating such as NHS Mental Health services or charities like Mind and The Listening Place.