Dealing with anxiety after graduation

By Elina-Ombili Shishaki |

One of the most overwhelming situations graduates experience is dealing with everyday anxiety after attaining their university or college qualifications.

One may feel excited of getting a chance to attend a tertiary institution but things may sometimes turn sour after having the qualifications. One could have passed with flying colors, but after completing the most desired course things may turn bitter.

Thus some graduates tend to get more depressed since they keep on failing to get their much anticipated jobs. Sometimes we think we have wasted time attending classes, and having sleepless nights to do assignments. I’ve experienced it and I hope I’m not the only one.

So fellow unemployed graduates here are some tips on how to cope with anxiety after graduation.

  1. Get out of your comfort zone

It’s easy to stay home and just look on company websites for vacancies. But you have to get up and make the calls, introduce yourself to HR managers and put your CV out there. You have to use your interpersonal skills, be creative and try to show the world what you’re best at.

  1. Focus more on your career

While you’re looking for a job you can continue learning and building your career. Learning doesn’t stop at graduation. Engage yourself and be busy, so that depression will not find a chance to get to you.

  1. Team up

Create a WhatsApp group of graduates from your college. There is nothing interesting and productive than a group of people who put great ideas together to come up with an innovative solution. It may seem difficult at first but it will bear fruitful results one day.

  1. Market yourself

Sometimes we waste our time and data posting unnecessary things on social media when you can use this opportunity to market yourself to your desired company. Do research and try to have ideas on how you can make yourself stand out in the crowd.

  1. Relax

Not having a job is not a good thing. But sometimes it’s not your fault. Too much worrying can only bring depression to yourself. Just relax. Now that you’re home, try to develop lasting self-esteem. Take a deep breath, and have enough sleep to calm your nerves.

  1. Know yourself

You may excessively get depressed to the point where you may end up forgetting who you are and what are your abilities. Don’t compare yourself or your life with anyone.

  1. Focus on your passion

It all takes passion for you to get to the level where you want to reach in life. Sometimes we put too much effort on things that are way too far from what we are passionate about. So if possible starting doing what you’re really good at and consistently uplifting your talent will help.

Not only that. Being focused and committed may also be soothing. Not forgetting to always have faith in yourself. If you can dream it then you can do it.

Cheers.