[Ali]

I found this article really hit home — it’s about that strange, kind of isolating feeling that can show up after graduation. You leave behind your routines, your friends, and suddenly you're supposed to have it all figured out... but instead, it can feel pretty empty and confusing.

The author talks about her own experience and what helped her adjust. I thought it might be comforting (and helpful) for anyone going through something similar.

Here’s the link: https://www.rootsofloneliness.com/po...ege-loneliness

Has anyone else gone through this? How did you deal with that post-grad funk or loneliness?

[SummerDay]

I was just talking about this with a couple family members over the weekend; one is in college and another graduated some time ago. But the one who graduated had talked about how upsetting it was to actually graduate... like, she was thrilled to be getting her degree and everything, but being in college had been the happiest time in her life, until that point.

She really, really struggled with leaving that all behind. Especially because she didn't have a job lined up or anything "planned" to come next.

I can relate, to a degree. I liked college just fine, but I don't think I liked it as much as she did. I was happy to graduate although my biggest struggle at the time was with what came next. That feeling of uncertainty, as far as job/living/starting a career.

I think for many students right now, trying to find jobs or internships and having those set up before graduation day can help with at least that part of it. It's sad to leave the familiarity of college life behind, of course, but knowing that you have something lined up in a way that gives you a sense of direction after you graduate, that can definitely help.

[Weighty]

My experience was a bit different than this.

College was OK -- I grew more into the person that I am today and reaffirmed who I was, but mostly, I always felt like I was wasting time in college.

As if the world outside was happening without me, and here I was in this weird bubble that wasn't real, and I so wanted to get out....

I guess the fact that I didn't drink (much, although for a year or so, I "tried" drinking more to fit in) or smoke, or do drugs, etc, made parties and those types of things very much less appealing -- as well as the fraternity thing not appealing to me at all.

I know it's different for everyone, and I can certainly relate to the feeling of emptiness I would get upon arriving at college and leaving behind friends, family, and the comfortable and warm life that I knew every single summer, or winter break when we would come back.

There was definitely a loneliness there being in college, but luckily for me, no loneliness when I LEFT college and finally started living what I thought was the life I wanted.

[Ali]

I never went to college, but I can definitely understand how loneliness could happen afterward. Especially at that age (early 20s) where you're still trying to figure out what to do with your life. If you've built a support system there, have friends, have a routine, and then all of a sudden that draws to a close at graduation... it has to be hard, for some.