Unemployment & boredom after finishing college

LegacyUser

Hi,

I finished up college a few months back, and ever since I finished I've been unemployed. What is really getting me down about it is not so much the unemployment aspect itself, but the boredom that results from it. In particular over the last few months I've come to realize that I don't really have many friends or acquaintances. This has led me to have pretty much nothing to do except maybe 1 day a weekend when the friends I do have aren't busy.

The reason I've remained unemployed is because I've wanted to go travelling solo for a couple of months and I'm heading off in October (nobody would hire me if they knew I planned this). I've read through countless websites about things to do when unemployed and bored and reading a new book, learning a new instrument was always suggested. I do these things yet still find myself plagued by boredom, mainly due to the lack of social connections I have. Nothing to do all week except read in my room, exercise alone, watching TV or practising guitar. Loneliness coupled with boredom is not particularly enjoyable, especially spread over the course of 3 or 4 months.

I'm also not even sure if I want to actually work in the area of the course that I studied for 4 years. I know it's a bit stupid only coming to this realization now. Anyway, just wondering is the period after finishing college generally this difficult to cope with? Everything in my life just feels so uncertain, from job prospects to simple needs like social fulfillment. I've suffered a bit with social anxiety and this results in me not being able to force myself to go into situations where I will meet new people. Tbh i'm not sure if that is a symptom of social anxiety or depression. Either way I just feel a bit sot. Appreciate any advice.

December2012

How long are you going away for? Why not apply for volunteering / internships now for when you come back?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

lonely082013 wrote: »

Hi,

I finished up college a few months back, and ever since I finished I've been unemployed. What is really getting me down about it is not so much the unemployment aspect itself, but the boredom that results from it. In particular over the last few months I've come to realize that I don't really have many friends or acquaintances. This has led me to have pretty much nothing to do except maybe 1 day a weekend when the friends I do have aren't busy.

The reason I've remained unemployed is because I've wanted to go travelling solo for a couple of months and I'm heading off in October (nobody would hire me if they knew I planned this). I've read through countless websites about things to do when unemployed and bored and reading a new book, learning a new instrument was always suggested. I do these things yet still find myself plagued by boredom, mainly due to the lack of social connections I have. Nothing to do all week except read in my room, exercise alone, watching TV or practising guitar. Loneliness coupled with boredom is not particularly enjoyable, especially spread over the course of 3 or 4 months.

I'm also not even sure if I want to actually work in the area of the course that I studied for 4 years. I know it's a bit stupid only coming to this realization now. Anyway, just wondering is the period after finishing college generally this difficult to cope with? Everything in my life just feels so uncertain, from job prospects to simple needs like social fulfillment. I've suffered a bit with social anxiety and this results in me not being able to force myself to go into situations where I will meet new people. Tbh i'm not sure if that is a symptom of social anxiety or depression. Either way I just feel a bit sot. Appreciate any advice.

Pull out the phonebook and call soem employment agencies about temp work. Lots of places need people for everythign from a few days to a few weeks, asbolutely no problem if you can't commit. It'll also help you meet more people.

ivytwine

I think it's natural to find the end of college hard to deal with. You really don't appreciate all the great things about it til you're gone. Even the little things like getting discounts to having hot chocolate or pints with your friends after lectures. It's all a bit "is that it"?

OP you need to get out the house. I see it in myself. I was on the dole for a couple of months and any day I stayed in the house I was down and unhappy. Reading is great but read after you've done something for the day.

So what to do? Get involved in something. Volunteer. Go help in your local animal shelter, old people's home, anything. I volunteered with my local radio station and it did lead to good opportunities for me. Not only that it gave me a bit of purpose and something to do.

Things will improve OP. Also don't dismiss getting some temp work before you go travelling. Aside from having somewhere to go, you'll also have more money in your pocket!

Good luck

ivytwine

Also just saw that you're going away in October- sure that's just over a month away