The Uncertainty of the Future

Lindsey Moran, communications senior, is enjoying her last days as a University of Oklahoma student. As she prepares to graduate she is not sure what the future holds for her. Moran does know that she has a lot to worry about as graduation approaches including about $20,000 to $25,000 in student loans, finding a job, a place to live, and deciding whether or not to attend graduate school.

According to Scholarships.com all these decisions Moran is about to face are several reasons why seniors at the college level become victims of Post-Graduation Stress Disorder (PGSD) after they graduate.

“ There are a number of sources out there that describe post-graduation stress disorder as a real diagnosis affecting recent graduates overwhelmed by choices of what they should do once they’re off college campuses,” said Scholarships.com. “Most post-graduation stress felt by graduates isn’t quite that serious, but can still be a drain on you if you’re unprepared for this new chapter in your life.”

Dr. Alice Lanning, Director of Freshman Programs at the University of Oklahoma, has had over 36 years of experience in the higher education field. She has found that as students graduate they are faced with a chain reaction of events that she undoubtedly believes would lead them into depression.

“The decision to go to graduate school, finding a job or not finding one and having to deal with how to pay off their loans can cause a student to go downhill,” said Lanning. “Their self-confidence also starts to deteriorate as they begin to wonder if the major they chose was right for them and the belief that by not finding a job means they are unqualified, when in fact they really are.”

Whatever the future holds for Moran she is trying to keep a positive outlook and not fall victim to the depression that may face her post graduation.

“Fortunately I have my family’s support with whatever I decide to do. I know I can fall back on them. It’s those who don’t have that support that concerns me. I could not imagine being on my own faced with all the decisions that come after graduating in this economy.”