Why do Students Become Depressed After Graduating High School?
One reason that students may become depressed after graduating high school is that they are missing structure. For example, they wake up in the morning and might have other stuff to do within that time frame; but somewhere along the line, they go to school for at least 4 to 6 hours a day for a week. Then they have the rest of the afternoon to do homework, hang out with friends, play games, practice a hobby, or rest for the next day.
Ultimately, there is a structure in place; after students graduate, that structure disappears suddenly. It’s similar to when people are released from the military or prison. Some people can adapt to making their structure afterward. Still, if there is no guideline to teach students, some students become lost, similar to how ex-prisoners can become lost without guidance.
Students may also become depressed after graduating high school because they may have to live independently now, and living alone can be challenging and scary. Without proper knowledge of how to survive living alone, some students won’t be able to handle that without feeling a sense of anxiety. There is also an expectation weighing down on students from friends and family that they can do great things. When students feel like those expectations aren’t met, students may feel they have let people down for not achieving something, even if it isn’t what they want.
Compared to high school, students will have a more complex path set out for them. Instead, they will have to forge their way and figure out what works and will not work in our society. Old friends going through similar issues may add to the anxiety. The expectation that everything changes once you hit this date can be too much for some people to handle.
The realization that students need to start working and may need more time to find a job, receive income and live off of that income can be stressful. For many students, after they graduate high school, this will be their first job. They haven’t had the chance to struggle and look around to see what jobs are out there. What experience they might need for specific positions and how to get that experience.
How do Students Deal With Depression After Graduating High School
Students need a good support group from a community, family, friends, and teachers. Having someone watching over your work and sharing ideas to help improve your work is essential. Having a written plan or a diary of what to accomplish ensures that objectives are recognized and finished on time.
One of the main reasons students get depressed is because of their fear of the unknown. Therefore, knowing where each student wants to go and how to plan it out is vital while documenting their feelings.
Joining different clubs and programs to find like-minded people gives students a more extensive support network. Having friends and colleagues you may not necessarily be too friendly with can help drive daily interaction and support. But also, students need to remember that they aren’t going through this alone. Students all over the country are going through similar issues and having similar questions.
What Resources are Available to High School Graduates
Plenty of resources are available to students who may struggle with depression after graduating high school. In addition to peer groups, clubs, and community programs, many online resources are available that can be free of charge. While online resources aren’t the end-all-be-all, recent graduates need to explore community resources that get them active and engaged within their communities.
How Can Student Hires Help Recent Graduates?
Student hires offers valuable job opportunities for students that have graduated high school. Getting that first entry-level job or internship with an organization like Student Hires can help add structure back to a high school graduate’s life. Our teacher preparation programs work with recent graduates to help them work toward becoming a teacher. We provide them with resources, support, and work experience in the field of education.
Conclusion
Students becoming depressed after graduating high school will initially prove difficult for new graduates looking to navigate the world. As they build their support groups and engage in new experiences with different people worldwide, things will become much more manageable. So what do you think about students’ mindset after graduating high school? What was your experience after graduating from high school? Let us know in the comments, and then we can discuss it!