4 Helpful Ways To Beat The Post-Graduation Blues

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It can be a turbulent time for the number of students who find them in a post-university/college limbo in the summer months. Whether or not you’ve officially graduated yet, it is likely that exams are over and you now have free time. (It’s a shock the system, I know.)

Suddenly you have guilt-free time on your hands, and perhaps you’re lucky enough to earn a bit more extra cash over the summer with a job that keeps you busy. But there are many students that find themselves twiddling their thumbs. Here are a few tips to get you out of your Netflix slumber.

1. If you can, get part-time work

Working in bars and restaurants part-time occupied a lot of my time during the semester. It’s a great way of earning a bit of cash, but it can also be a fun environment that can take up some of the endless free time. I mean, there’s only so many times you can repeatedly sit in shock of the Gilmore Girls: Year in the Life episodes. It might lead to meeting new people to hang out with on your days off. Even if you can’t find work, give yourself one productive activity to do a day: take the dog a walk or clean out your car. Something to keep your mind occupied.

2. Act like a tourist in your hometown

As a history student, I hadn’t even been to visit the castle in my home city, which was pretty shocking. Take the time to visit the attractions in your closest town or city that you’ve never had the time to explore when you were studying. It’s easier to do alone, which is good if your friends are off traveling Asia for the summer. It can keep costs down too. Make the most of free access to museums and galleries and look online for fun things to do during the summer months. Make note of them and check them out with a group of friends or just yourself.

3. Get inspired

It sounds cliche but take up a new hobby. Go to that yoga class you’ve wanted to try out. Go to classes to learn a new language, or even go back to something that you lost touch with after being sucked into the semester, like playing an instrument, reading or painting. Hobbies and passions in life will boost your self-confidence and give you something to talk about to your friends when they ask what you’ve been up to.

4. Don’t be too hard on yourself

At the end of the day you need to give yourself some credit. To go from being completely occupied to… let’s face it, a lifestyle that gives you a lot more free time. Don’t beat yourself up if you feel like you’re not doing enough with that time. Take a moment and breathe. A big chapter of your life is ending and it’s OK to feel a little out of sorts for a while. Try and turn this time into a positive experience where you get to have a bit more me time than you’re used to!