1. Stop comparing yourself to others
It’s easy to fall into the trap of looking at the people around you and thinking: ‘why doesn’t my life look like that?’Â
Maybe your best friend has just secured their dream job and you’re still struggling to get interviews or you’re working in a job you don’t enjoy and your coursemates are off travelling the world – either way, it’s normal to compare your life to theirs.
However, constant comparison to others can take a toll on your self-esteem and leave you thinking that you’ll never be as good as others – which isn’t the case.
A tip to overcome constantly comparing yourself is to let go of this set timeline that seems to be sold to us from an early age- there is more than one way to navigate your twenties and success looks different for everyone!
The quicker you stop focusing on these unrealistic expectations and societal pressures that are placed on graduates, the quicker you can focus on figuring out what you enjoy, what you value and what you actually want to do.
If you’ve recently graduated and need help deciding what graduate career is right for you, take our career test for graduates to find entry-level careers that are a great match for you.
2. Talk to other people about how you’re feeling
It might not always feel like it, but there will be plenty of other people feeling the same as you.
Hearing that you aren’t alone and talking about your worries with other graduates in the same situation can really help.
You will soon realise that feeling anxious about your future is very common and not really knowing what you’re doing is normal.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, ask them for advice and learn from them.
Finding someone you can relate to will go such a long way in helping you overcome your post-grad anxiety.
Talking to others is a great way to improve your mental health.
If you’re a student at university struggling with your mental health, check out our latest blog for more tips on how to look after your mental health at university.
3. Keep a routine and make time for yourself
If you have recently graduated and are applying for jobs, your days may feel quite disorganised, and for many people, this lack of structure can induce a lot of anxiety.
It’s a good idea to get into a routine to help you feel a bit more in control.
A good way to structure your day is to set aside a few hours to apply for jobs, work on your CV and research careers.
Give yourself a time frame of 2-4 hours, as if you spend the whole day applying it can be draining and the likelihood is your applications may not be as strong.
Applying for jobs can feel like a full-time job, but it’s also important to make time for the things you enjoy, whether this is a sport, going to the cinema, or seeing friends.
Make time for yourself and don’t put too much pressure if you don’t get everything done in a day – there’s always tomorrow!
Another great way to add structure to your day, and something that is proven to have a number of benefits for your mental health is volunteering.
Choosing to volunteer is a highly rewarding way to spend your free time and it can boost your employability.
For some great organisations to virtually volunteer for, check out our blog for virtual volunteering ideas for students and graduates.
4. Reach out to your university’s careers service
Many people experiencing graduate anxiety or other mental health challenges report that a lot of their negative feelings come from not really knowing what to do next.
Whether it’s struggling to get a job, experiencing rejection, or not knowing how to make yourself as employable as possible, all of these things are difficult to deal with but there is help out there.
Lots of universities allow graduates access to their career services after they’ve graduated, these services have plenty of useful resources on job application guidance.
At Give A Grad A Go, we’re here to help you every step of the way with your graduate job applications, whether you need CV writing tips and templates, help deciding what graduate career is right for you, interview questions practice, or guidance on working in London.
Register with us today and speak with our industry expert recruiters to kick-start your graduate job hunt!
Getting support with job applications may help you feel like you have a bit more control and may alleviate some of your anxiety.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to writing your graduate CV? Take a look at our CV tips guide.
5. Give yourself time to adjust
Leaving university is a huge readjustment, so it’s important to give yourself time to adjust.
There are so many things that are changing in your life right now, so don’t rush and put pressure on yourself to have everything figured out straight away, it will take time.
Give yourself credit where credit is due and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they might be – whether this is finding a part-time job, booking to go travelling, or finishing your CV.
As long as you are taking steps towards your future, it doesn’t matter how big they are.
