Post-Graduate Slump

A recent graduate, Pornsiri Sirikul, faces post-graduate slump; while, A Junior going to Senior, Ploythip Limrattamorn, trying to aid her, learns from her Senior’s experience.

Loud cheers and chatters of recent graduates still rings in my ears as I walk my close senior to her car; her arms full of bouquet, presents and cards. The joyful event, celebrating the closing of a chapter and an opening for a new beginning; but we arrived at the car and as Erin closes her car door she said “I feel so lost”.

As she drives the car in her graduation gown, her two hands were holding the steering wheel tightly, she consulted me about her life after graduating. “What does she want to do?”, “Where does she want to go?”. She endlessly questions her self identity and self discovery. How the past 22 years, her life has always been mapped out for her, from school to university. Now is the first time in her life she is actually in control of the steering wheel, in the driving seat, heading to the road she plans out for herself.

She is one of many graduates who faces the “Post-Graduation Slump”. According to the Medical Association of Thailand, 32.2% of individuals diagnosed with depression during their education years are post-graduates. Post-graduation plan is ranked as one of the main correlations that causes depression, anxiety and stress for college students. For instance, the end goal for an individuals’ study is to get educated, find a good job and feel a degree of success. Although the unemployment rate in Thailand is 1%, most jobs are offered in the field of agriculture, wholesale and manufacturing. Thus, graduates still suffers the pressure to find a decent job in their field of study. Thai society values status and ranking in one’s work which forces graduates to feel more pressured into finding a good career to prove themselves for the society.

Post-graduation slump causes graduates to feel like they are stuck in a standstill. They may find themselves living in the same situation for months; while, their friends are living their life to a high speed. Graduates no longer have a schedule that is laid out for them; deadlines to finish, classes to attend, social events to enjoy. The new lifestyle may affect them to feel unorganized and unmotivated. Especially those who are desperately hunting for a job may spend each day without an agenda, feeling beaten up from losing to the job market. Graduates could alleviate themselves from this feeling by setting small goals or a to-dos list; accomplishing them each day.

Weeks after her graduation, I was once again in her car. She mentions that since freshman year, seniors always tell her that “University will be the best four years of your life, so make the most out it because time flies by fast”. “That is how we are unintentionally setting ourselves up for disappointment”, Erin added. However, she describes her graduation as a “restart button”. Considering that her faculty allows a limited choice of exploration in her field of studies. She now sees graduation as the moment to carve a new path for herself. Unlike other graduates who are attempting to find their job in PR or advertising agencies or finding an MA course, Erin is currently taking a break from rushing into a new qualifications or career. She is giving herself time to explore more on what she likes, taking short courses on business which is something different from her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Management degree. Travelling to places she had always wanted to go. She states that “status” is not everything and that we should not rush into getting a job just to be socially accepted. Comparing yourself with others is also not ideal and every individual has their own pace in life and that success is only what each individual define it themselves.

As a Junior student with another year to go. Lessons are learnt that graduation is not an end goal, but just another milestone for one’s life long journey.

Post-graduate slump may seem like you are lost in the midst of blues. But if you change your mindset into a positive one, surround yourself with cheerful energy and set achievable goals each day, you will find that your path becomes clearer. The heavy weight of post-graduation slump will soon be lifted.”

Erin drops me off at my stop and heads off at her own destination, no matter where that is.