I’m about to graduate from a well respected college, which has been one of the best experiences of my life socially. Right now I have a chance to stay an extra semester and stay in college–giving me the opportunity to complete my minor– or I can graduate and begin my professional life by heading straight into a graduate program, which will not have such an illustrious social life. I know if I leave, I won’t have the same social life and I don’t know what I will do once I do graduate. I’m afraid that I’ll graduate and become depressed out of boredom. I’m not afraid to work; I’m afraid of not having the same social interaction with a lot of different people. What should I do? Do you have anything to recommend for me to keep myself socially occupied? Also, is it normal for me to be this concerned with my social life?

Your concerns about your social life after completing your undergraduate degree are very “normal” and completely legitimate. You have invested four years of your life having instant access to such a diverse group of people and endless opportunities to connect socially with them and you are concerned that this is going to end for you as you begin the next chapter of your life. I believe that our social experiences in college are of equal importance to our personal growth as our academic experiences have been. Nothing quite prepares us for this big transition from college to either a graduate program or the beginnings of our professional lives. Throughout your college career you have most likely come to know yourself well, establishing your personal preferences and identifying the kinds of social interactions that allow you to connect with yourself and share that connection with others. It will be far easier now for you to seek these opportunities out for yourself wherever you choose to go and whatever you choose to do for yourself. You created your ‘Illustrious social life” in college and so you shall recreate it in your next endeavor. Ask yourself if you have a history of depression from feelings of boredom and if so, do those past experiences have anything to do with who you are in your now. I would think probably not. Interestingly enough we create our lives with our thoughts first, followed by our feelings. How you are going to choose to feel about whatever decision that you make whether it be to stay an extra semester or go straight into your graduate program will determine the brilliant outcome for you. Trust yourself! Who would know better for you than you? No one.