How to not feel sad after graduating?

[Anonymous]

When you graduate you're supposed to feel happy and proud but i mainly feel sad for some reason now that i finally accomplished this. Any good answers as to why and advice to quit feeling sad and moving on?

[NamerOfStars]

Take a look at the graduation program. I'm not sure if this is the case outside of the US, but nine times out of ten, it will be referred to as "Commencement". A commencement is a beginning. A graduation is an ending. You'd think an institution of higher learning would own a dictionary, but you will never be given a satisfying explanation for this, no matter how many people you ask (believe me, I've tried).

As I said, it's an ending, and there's always a little sadness whenever a part of your life ends. It's usually overshadowed if you're moving on to something bigger and better (or scarier and more intimidating), but- well, these days I imagine any real contemplation of the future is going to be scary and intimidating. Do you have any plans on what you're going to do next?

[Anonymous]

Maybe try to get to the root of your sadness. Is it bc you won’t see a lot of your friends anymore? Are you not going to college? Do you feel like now the fun is over and the adulting has to start? It’s a lot of mixed emotions with graduating. I wasn’t sad, but I was surprised because almost immediately I lost touch with about half of my friends and gradually it dwindled down to now, where I only talk to one of those friends from high school.