CASADO LLERENA: Post-graduation depression deserves more awareness
Column: Just Wondering
Graduation falls on May 14 this year, and it will finally be time to celebrate the success of many Rutgers students. While many view this day as a massive stepping stone and a glorious day, others cannot help but feel afraid, nervous, stressed and anxious.
The end of college often marks the end of one's student life and the beginning of your young-adult life. But how does a student stop being a student?
Post-graduation depression is a common condition many alumni deal with after receiving their diplomas. But surprisingly, it is not discussed enough. The term is not even recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.
Post-graduation depression occurs when someone shifts from being a student to an adult facing real-world problems. When shifting away from student life, many confront the difficult question: “What now?”
One of the many reasons why college graduates fall into depression is the vexing task of searching for a job. Securing a job after college is difficult for many reasons. Some students find it hard to get a job that pays well or falls in line with their degree.
In addition, there is significant pressure to find the correct job. In most cases, the start of a career starts slow, and it can be very discouraging when students do not meet their expectations. This can result in self-doubt and comparison to others, which kills self-esteem.
Students may feel guilt, regret or self-loathing due to the hours they committed as a student. Many students feel that their time in college was time-wasting and regret their time devoted to studying and assignments. Many may also regret not spending time with their friends, and once those friends go their separate ways, it can lead to desolation.
Students can also experience isolation after graduation. During the months following graduation, friend groups tend to go on their separate ways to pursue different careers, and it can be jarring to witness four years of friendship seemingly disappear. As a result, college graduates tend to isolate themselves, either willingly or unwillingly.
And on top of this, students face the overwhelming weight of the future and the possible steps to get there. Often, many students lie awake at night, contemplating what the future holds.
There comes a point where a student’s worst enemy is themselves. The mind runs simulation after simulation of possible choices we could make, leading to sleepless nights and potentially a loss of motivation.
This helpless feeling can be exacerbated by the expectations of their family members.
Some students cannot help feeling that parental expectations are hard to live up to, ranging from securing a job post-graduation to becoming purely independent. And while some students may be able to fulfill those expectations immediately, many do not have a concrete plan after graduation.
Rutgers has many counseling services to help students with various issues, but there needs to be a push to create post-graduation depression awareness.
In 2020, 17 percent of young adults from the ages of 18 to 25 experienced at least one major depressive episode, which includes college undergraduates and graduates.
Rutgers can generate awareness by specifically advertising their counseling sessions to all current and upcoming seniors to ensure they are in good mental health status as they approach graduation.
To work through post-graduation depression, students can reach out to loved ones, a best friend or a therapist. Allowing graduates to vent and release all of their doubts, frustrations and anxiety can make their transition out of college much smoother.
If students are unsure about finding employment after college, they can schedule an appointment with a career counselor to create or solidify a plan. Millions of entry-level jobs are available to recent graduates to help them find a potential career path.
Graduates should also seek professional help. Asking for help is one of the best ways to deal with a cruel world. It is significant to note that graduate students can take advantage of Rutgers' counseling services.
Lastly, students should not be too hard on themselves.
The future can be overbearing, and students can collapse on themselves, causing a cascade of emotions. Students become too self-critical and need to treat themselves with kindness.
Students should not compare themselves to others because it is damaging. Everyone takes their own time to develop and find their way in the world.
Sebastian Casado Llerena is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in journalism and media studies with a global news specialization and minoring in English. His column, "Just Wondering," runs on alternate Thursdays.
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