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' I have my heart set on getting an academic research job [...] but I ’ m constantly worried that I ’ m not good enough [...] I know I have the skillset and I know I ’ m capable of it , but I still don ’ t feel like I ’ m good enough .'
Staffordshire University Sociology Graduate
' Even though I did really well in my degree and got a First , I still think what if I ’ m not very good at the job , or what if I don ’ t enjoy it .'
Keele University Economics and Finance Graduate
Moving back home to parents , changes in financial status and losing touch with friends also seemed to play a big part in the deterioration of graduates ’ mental wellbeing . As one Graduate put it :
' When I graduated , a few months after that , I was probably the most depressed I ' ve been for good long while [...] I ' d gone back from living independently to living with my parents which is always a rough transition . I had no income , because when I left University , I left my jobs . I was applying for hundreds of jobs , but never hearing anything back . You know , you don ' t get your loan anymore , so you don ' t know when the next bit of money ' s coming in . You ' ve left all your friends ; you ' ve left your routine .'
Staffordshire University Criminology Graduate
Social media also negatively impacted participants ’ mental wellbeing to a degree . Many participants stated that seeing peers post their achievements on social media , such as securing a job , buying a house , or travelling , made graduates feel negatively about themselves . From these findings , acknowledging in advance their limited scope , it is possible to surmise that graduates are more likely than not predisposed to adopt a ‘ compare and despair ’ attitude when using social media and may use their peers ’ posts as a measure of success for their own achievements 103 . . In the words of one Keele Graduate :
' I think that seeing how successful some people have been after graduating from university , such as getting a post-graduate job , can negatively affect some people who
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Noon , ' Compare and despair or compare and explore ? Instagram social comparisons of ability and opinion predict adolescent identity development .'