• Style Guides
    • All Style Guides & Tips
    • Boho Style Essentials
    • Classic Style Essentials
    • Edgy Style Essentials
    • College Wardrobe Essentials
  • College
    • All College Articles
    • Dorm Bedding 2020
    • College School Supplies Checklist
    • Dorm Color Scheme Guide
    • Dorm Organization Tips
  • Outfit Ideas
    • All Outfit Inspo
    • College Outfits
    • 21st Birthday Outfits
    • Cold Weather Outfits
  • Sorority
    • All Things Sorority
    • Sorority Rush Essentials
    • Sorority Rush Outfits
  • Shopping
    • All Shopping Guides
    • Best Budget Fashion Stores
    • Where to Buy Sweaters
    • Best Online Thrift Stores
    • Timeless Jewelry Guide
  • Beauty
    • All Things Beauty
    • Makeup Essentials Guide
  • Valentine’s
    • All Valentine’s Posts
    • Valentine’s Day Gifts 2021
    • Valentines Gifts for Boyfriend
    • Valentine’s Day Gifts for Girlfriend
    • Cute Valentines Outfits
    • Galentine’s Day 2021
College Fashion
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Write for us

The Emotional Stages of Watching Your Friends Go Back to School Without You

The hardest part of post-grad life is watching your younger friends go back to school without you.

Last Updated on September 2, 2019 by Kate - Hofstra University
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.
Enjoy this painfully accurate representation of what the inside of your brain looks like while processing that you are no. longer. a college undergrad.

I think we all know what going to college entails — becoming inspired and getting a degree in something you love and making memories … all the while crushing it on the dance floor till midnight the night before your math final.

We also know that going to college entails that one fated detail: it will allllllll eventually come to an end.

After 22 years, and a lifetime of schooling, your life has changed drastically. It’s okay to feel sad and lost and confused and lonely after graduation — don’t let anyone make you feel unjust in your feeling. It’s even more okay to wish you had one last year to get your sh*t together because the ‘real world’ has hit you all too hard.

And no matter how many testimonials you’ve heard from the people in your life, there is nothing that will prepare you for the end of college — or what’s worse, watching all of your younger friends go back to your used-to-be normal life without you.

Choke Feeling GIF by Freek Vonk - Find & Share on GIPHY

I know you’ve been feeling the post grad fomo too — or maybe you just haven’t been able to quite put your finger on these emotions yet — but here are the 8 emotional stages I have felt watching my friends go back to their college lives without me:

1. Denial

After years of schooling — and 4 long years of college, with countless tests, all-nighters, parties, and memories made — it’s hard to fathom that it is actually over.

It can’t really be over … right?

Bunim/Murray Productions GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

2. Knowing You’re in Denial, but Avoiding the Feeling

Okay — college is over, you know it’s over, but we are going to pretend it’s not.

You’ve lived this summer like every other so it’s not real until the incoming freshmen move in and welcome back parties commence.

Oh sh*t … that’s this week…

Michael Scott No GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

3. Loneliness: You’re No Longer Living Five Feet Away from Your Besties

Back to school is here, it’s happening and it’s giving you all the fomo in the world.

As you lay in bed on a Saturday night watching welcome back Instagram posts and cheers-ing Snap stories, you can’t help but feel so lonely.

For the first time in four years you’re not five feet away from your best friends (ISA I MISS YOU!!!!) and a quick walk away from the ones who aren’t as close.

What is life without a roommate??

Sad Spongebob Squarepants GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

4. At a Loss

I mean really, what do you do now?

How are you supposed to act? How are you supposed to meet new people?

This post-grad time in your life is like that weird in-between hair length that’s just too annoying to handle. I mean come on, grow out already!

John Travolta GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

5. Annoyance When People Keep Asking About Post-Grad Life

Please stop reminding me that I’m not in college, I don’t yet have a job, I have no boyfriend much less a booming social life!

So here I am, sitting here and smiling (and waving) like a crazy person!

Happy Adult Swim GIF by HULU - Find & Share on GIPHY

6. Frantic Misplaced Positivity

It’s all going to be okay … repeat the mantras … everything happens for a reason … the universe will send you something when it’s right … it will happen when it happens.

Just believe in the system!!!! (Right?!)

Comedy Central GIF by Another Period - Find & Share on GIPHY

7. Anticipation for Alumni Weekends

Aka the only thing you have to look forward to right now.

Happy Suicide Squad GIF by 1LIVE - Find & Share on GIPHY

8. Okay-ness (and Sort of Acceptance?)

Look, this is a new life. It will take time to adjust and get your footing.

Think of it this way, you’re now a freshman to the world. You just need to find your place, your people, and your social life again.

It will take time, but this is your life … and it’s worth it!

Jim Carrey Ok GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Sound a little like you?

Tired of all the raging emotions in your head?

Feeling a little like a crazy person?

Same.

Shrek Hug GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

I want to hear from you in the comments below!

Are you in that post-grad weird in-between phase? How have you coped with this big change in your life? What have you done to curb some of these post grad fomo feelings?

p.s. a message to all my little undergraduate babies: take this year by storm and enjoy every minute of it! Know that I’m missing you all terribly and I hope you are missing me too! (You better be.) Love you all XO

How I’m feeling about missing all my little friends!

Tags : Friends

Leave a Comment
Originally published on September 3, 2019
Previous The Ultimate Guide to the Mystery Genre (Best Books, Movies, TV Shows)
Next 7 Insanely Cute DIY Notebook Tutorials | Cute Notebook Ideas for School

Related Posts

Depression

Dark Matter: Being Honest About Depression

Girl blogging

Blogging 101: How to Start Your Own Personal Style Blog...

cute dorm room

How to Stay Stylish and Stress-Free on Move-In Day

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • bloglovin

SEARCH CF

Get the latest CF updates! (Delivered weekly, no spam ever, unsubscribe anytime.)

21 Cute Backpacks for School 2021: Our Picks for Going to Class with Style

Sling some style over your shoulder this semester.

Best of 2020: Fashion, Beauty, College Essentials, and More!

All of my favorites from an unforgettable year, to say the least.

Vintage Posts

Copyright © 2007-2021 College Fashion LLC | Contact • Privacy Policy • Terms of Service • Disclosure • Write for Us