Welcome to the Real World: It’s Kinda Depressing, but You’re Going to be Okay

By Candy

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

Life in college was pretty carefree. For the most part your friends were happy and full of laughter and smiles and funny stories. Sure there were always those times when you had to console a friends  over a break-up or you had to rub another friend’s back when she failed out of orgo and realized she’ll never be a doctor. But those were minor setbacks.

Then you graduate and everyone’s mood takes a turn for the worse. You’re jealous of that friend who got a job before you (I mean, c’mon, you had 19 internships, and she spent her summers at the beach) and you’re angry about living at home,  and you’re lonely because all your friends are miles away. Relatives and strangers remind you everyday that the economy sucks and you start reading the news and you realize we’re at war with 19 countries and that people are trying to outlaw abortion.  And you get this feeling of overwhelming depression. Like, wow, life sucks.

The worst part is that you’re not the only one in this downward spiral of sadness. All your friends are too. Everyone is lonely and depressed and confused and upset. Gchat convos that used to be about Glee and sexting do’s and don’ts are suddenly about rejected resumes and big life questions.  Everyone’s depression feeds off each other and before you know it, your once fun group of galpals is like a support group for angry people.

But here’s what you need to know and here’s what I wish someone told me.

You’re not alone! You’re only 22! Everyone is going through this exact same thing right now. I promise you. Even that girl who got the job before she graduated. Everyone is full of questions and concerns and doubts and yes, negative feelings. It’s okay not  to know. It’s okay to spend the summer on the couch watching reality TV. You have your whole life to find the answers and you have your whole life to get up at 7:00 am to go to work everyday.

It’s okay to have fun and enjoy life and smile.  It’s okay to be scared about what’s next and it’s okay to share your fears with family and friends. Ignore the people who harass you about finding a job and keep in touch with the people who make you happy. Vent with your friends, but also laugh with them. Don’t let yourself spend hours feeling sorry for yourself. Spend hours making yourself happy.

And know that a year from now, you’ll have a job. You’ll be okay. And you still won’t have all the answers.