Why Recent College Graduates Can Feel Let Down

At this time of year, we see lots of happy, eager, and sometimes hard-partying college graduates. Yet, once the commencement ceremonies and parties are over, many college and high school graduates can experience sadness or depression. It can be a troubled state. I call this the “is-that-all-there-is?" feeling.

Here are three key psychological reasons that so many graduates feel let down.

1. Post-Event Emotional Decline. In the run-up to graduation, students are excited—experiencing a mix of feelings of anticipation, excitation, and a sense of “light at the end of a long tunnel.” Finishing final exams, planning and rehearsing for the graduation ceremony, and parties and celebrations all serve to keep the graduates running at full speed, with a combination of adrenaline and anticipation. After the graduation, there is a sudden drop in energy and excitement, and the new graduate may experience a sudden letdown that can feel like sadness or depression.
2. Unrealistic Goal Expectations. When it comes to planned, major life events, our eyes are on the eventual goal—that long-desired diploma. However, many people have unrealistic and “romantic” expectations that attaining a major life goal will make us feel “transformed” in some way. The problem is that the day after graduation, nothing seems to change. The next day is just like any other, and this can bring you down.
3. Neglecting to Consider “What’s Next.” All too often, young graduates fail to set post-graduation plans and goals. People tend to place a laser-like focus on a milestone life goal, such as the completion of a degree, and they don’t set specific, and meaningful, future goals. The inability to look beyond the graduation goal can lead to a sense of emptiness—the is-that-all-there-is effect.

What to Do

Graduates need to think beyond the immediate goal of degree completion and have an exciting and engaging plan of next steps. Some graduates already have secured jobs, and that anticipation of the challenges of a new career can help fend off post-graduation letdown. Those who are not so fortunate need to turn the uncomfortable sense of insecurity (“What do I do now?”) into a life challenge and create a course of action (as one recent graduate told me enthusiastically “I’m going to move to New York City, couch surf with friends there, and find a great job!”).

It is also important to realize that achieving a major goal, such as completing a college education, and the accompanying sense of excitement and accomplishment may naturally lead to an emotional letdown. Bearing in mind, however, that it will be a temporary state (particularly as sights are set on the next chapter in one’s life) can help one cope effectively.