Student life and mental health

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What happens when I finish my course?

Preparing for graduation and moving on after studying can be both exciting and daunting. You may be thinking about your future career or about the support you will want after completing your course. It's a good idea to think about the steps you can take to help you manage the move out of studying and look after your mental health.

This page covers:

• Preparing for life after your course
• Maintaining your support network
• Arranging your healthcare
• Transitioning into working life

Save the Student also has a helpful list of things to consider as you prepare to leave university.

Preparing for life after your course

It's completely normal to have no idea what you want to do after your course finishes. This can feel stressful or affect how you feel about yourself. But it's important to remember that many people take months or even years to work out their next steps.

How do I decide what to do next?

• If you're studying a course that could lead onto a specific career, relevant societies will have information about career options in your field.
• Make use of your university or college careers service. This is a great place to help you start thinking about what you might like to do when you finish studying.
• The National Careers Service (England) or Careers Wales and UCAS have advice and information on planning a career.

Maintaining your support network

When you graduate, it's likely that the support networks you have may no longer be as easily available. If you're moving away from the place where you studied, it might be worth thinking about the support that's available in the new place where you'll be living.

• Stay in touch with course mates – everyone finds this transition tricky, and hearing from an old friend can be reassuring.
• Try online support – you can access this wherever you move to. See our pages on online mental health support for more information.
• Speak your local Mind to find out more about the support in your new area.

Arranging your healthcare

If you're moving away from where you have been studying, you'll need to plan how the move might affect any support you currently receive. This could be from your GP or an NHS service.

• Visit your current GP and think about the process of transferring your care to a new GP.
• Find out where you can register with a new GP.
• If you're in touch with your community mental health team (CMHT) or crisis team, let them know that you're moving. Find out how you can access the support you want in your new home.

Transitioning into working life

If you're starting work or returning to a job after your course, it's important to think about how you'll manage your mental health in this new environment.

• Read our information about talking to your manager about your mental health.
• See our pages on being mentally healthy at work for more information too.

Work, just like studying can take different forms. Part-time, full-time, freelance, there are many options to find something that works for you.

This information was published in March 2023. We will revise it in 2026.

References and bibliography available on request.

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