Here are some tips for coping with losing friends after college.

Keep in Touch

We live in an age of social media and have fast, reliable communication at our fingertips. Reach out to your friends no matter how far away they are. Yes, everyone is busy and it’s not going to be as easy as your college days, but make a date to meet up for drinks, catch up over the phone, and be willing to adapt to change in your friends’ lives as much as your own.

Put Yourself out There

As a recent grad, you will also have many opportunities to meet new people. While it’s completely understandable to mourn the loss of your former study buddy, you’ll also be getting to know new coworkers, roommates, fellow volunteers, teammates and other potential new friends as you navigate this fresh start.

Attend Alumni Events

Alumni events are a great way to bond over something that you and your college friends all share in common and hold close to your hearts, which is your school. It’s a light-hearted way to catch up, as well as an excellent way to network.

Go on Dates

While there are many ways to find friends, there are also many ways to go on dates with apps like PlentyOfFish, OkCupid, and Tinder. You’re in a new stage in your life and starting a new relationship could be a positive change.

Meet the Locals

Moved somewhere new? Talk to the people in your apartment complex, your new roommates, and the people at your local gym, or hang out at the neighborhood bar. Many friendships, like the ones that you formed in college, were based on proximity, and reaching out to those who are geographically close to you is an easy step towards feeling at home in a new environment.

Talk About It

Tell your friends about how you’re busy but would like to stay in touch. Chances are, they will understand and you can agree on less time-consuming ways to maintain your friendship.

Be Prepared to Accept Change

Sometimes, relationships with the people that we love change and that’s okay. You can go your separate ways with your friends without having any hard feelings. In this case, it might be best to meet new people and expand your horizons. Remember that you only live once, and even when mourning lost connections, it’s important to form new ones.

Take Care of Your Body

With the stress of losing friends after college, keep in mind that it’s important to also take care of your body. Exercise, take yoga classes, drink water, keep a balanced diet, try to get enough sleep and remember that it’s okay to have time for yourself. With all of these changes in your life, it’s important to keep yourself focused and refreshed.

Take Care of Your Mind, Too

It’s one thing to eat right and exercise but it’s another to make sure that you’re doing okay on the inside. If you find yourself feeling low, don’t isolate yourself from others; reach out, get out of the house, speak to a counselor and remember to keep your well-being in check. Remember that post-graduation depression is real and you’re not the only one who feels lost.

Be Prepared to Lose Other Friends

This won’t be the first time in your life that you will move to a new stage and lose friends. But while you will be losing friends, you will also gain friends. With every new stage in your life – whether it’s moving to a new city or country, changing jobs, getting married, starting a family, and so on – people will come and go. Be prepared to lose some of them, but look forward to meeting new people and even to reconnecting with old friends in the future.

Look Toward the Future

Life doesn’t end after college. Your post-college life will be a fresh start full of ups and downs. If the first few months after college aren’t what you expected and you’re in a lonely place in your life, keep in mind that the future can be brighter than you ever imagined. You’re going to meet great people throughout your lifetime.

In Conclusion

It’s important to remember to:

• Keep in touch with your existing friends
• Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone
• Take advantage of proximity and meet the people at the places you frequent
• Take care of your body and mind
• Be open and adaptable
• Stay optimistic

Losing the friends that you made in college can be tough. However, it’s important to make the effort to get through these hard times and to remain open and connected to others. Your health and happiness depend on it!