Graduation & The Next Chapter

Juniper · 01-20-2010, 11:50 PM

I met with my advisor yesterday, and it's official: I am graduating in June!

For so long, finishing that BA seemed like nothing but a pipe dream. Not enough money, not enough time, missed the boat when it sailed 18 years ago.

And all that time I felt like such a loser. "Everyone else," or so it seemed, had a 4 year degree. I still feel funny about it. It's almost like screwing up high school and going back for a GED - OK, not really, but you know what I mean. I feel like people are wondering what's wrong with me.

Four classes to finish this quarter, two next quarter, and shazam! I get to wear a pretty white robe on 6/12. BA in English with a certification in Professional Writing.

Ahhh. Now it's time to think about grad school! No way am I stopping now. I'm enjoying this too much! I probably won't go full time, though - I really need to re-launch my biz and make some money. But I'm doing it. Working freelance gives me that flexibility.

What to take? How does one find out what program to take? Current one was easy - I'm a writer, I love what I do, and the prof writing track seemed tailor made for me. But now I don't know. Here is what WSU has to offer, that fits my interests at least somewhat:

Literature
Creative Writing
Composition & Rhetoric
Mass Communication
Organizational Communication
Communications Studies

At the moment I'm leaning toward the last two, but I need a much better explanation about them than what the graduate catalog gives.

I guess I'll be contacting Bri's and my favorite alien-head professor, who happens to be the director of grad programs, to see if he can steer me a little.

Isn't this FUN?

BrianR · 01-21-2010, 01:21 AM

Congratulations, Juniper. You're four years ahead of where I should have been, had I had the brains.

jujuwwhite · 01-21-2010, 01:28 AM

Congrats! I'm proud for you!

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 02:02 AM

And doing it the hard way, without any basket weaving or navel gazing classes, too.

DanaC · 01-21-2010, 05:26 AM

Awesome Juni!

I know exactly how you feel about the boat sailing 18 years ago. I had the same feeling when i went to uni for my BA.

classicman · 01-21-2010, 09:24 AM

Congrats - I finished in my "afterlife" as well.
I know how hard it is to juggle the spouse/family/house/job and all that...

Pat yourself on the back, get a copy of that diploma and hang it proud and prominently!

Juniper · 01-21-2010, 11:11 AM

Well, scratch the prof writing certificate. Just found out I'm one class short. GRRRR I am so mad. Trying hard not to care, not succeeding yet.

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 11:13 AM

I'll sign a petition of exemption.

DanaC · 01-21-2010, 11:27 AM

Can't you take an extra class?

classicman · 01-21-2010, 12:12 PM

remember that class you took a danac university?. . .

Juniper · 01-21-2010, 01:58 PM

Class in question is not offered next quarter. SO unfair. But . . . it's OK. I've chilled out a little bit, and I don't care so much. It's an online class (probably) so I can take it any time, even after grad.

morethanpretty · 01-22-2010, 12:09 AM

Oh that really sucks Juni, I hate it when classes I need (or really want) aren't being offered at all. That's gonna be my big challenge finishing my associates too. I have to say, I hate writing, so I really respect that you can take that path. I am really envious of people who are good at it and enjoy it.
You should insist on someone throwing you a graduation celebration, you deserve it!

Juniper · 01-22-2010, 08:50 AM

MTP, you're right. I should have a party! We could make it a combo, celebrating graduation 6/12, my son's birthday 6/30, and my hubby's birthday 7/14.

I don't think I did anything when I got my Associate's. Maybe went out to dinner or clubbing. And I do remember my high school graduation celebration was an absolute MESS. Long story.

MTP, it's OK you hate writing. I am thankful that the world is full of people who hate writing. That way, I will always have a job.

DanaC · 01-22-2010, 09:23 AM

I love and hate writing in equal measure :P

xoxoxoBruce · 01-22-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniper

And I do remember my high school graduation celebration was an absolute MESS. Long story.

We got time.

01-20-2010, 11:50 PM	#1
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	Graduation & The Next Chapter I met with my advisor yesterday, and it's official: I am graduating in June! For so long, finishing that BA seemed like nothing but a pipe dream. Not enough money, not enough time, missed the boat when it sailed 18 years ago. And all that time I felt like such a loser. "Everyone else," or so it seemed, had a 4 year degree. I still feel funny about it. It's almost like screwing up high school and going back for a GED - OK, not really, but you know what I mean. I feel like people are wondering what's wrong with me. Four classes to finish this quarter, two next quarter, and shazam! I get to wear a pretty white robe on 6/12. BA in English with a certification in Professional Writing. Ahhh. Now it's time to think about grad school! No way am I stopping now. I'm enjoying this too much! I probably won't go full time, though - I really need to re-launch my biz and make some money. But I'm doing it. Working freelance gives me that flexibility. What to take? How does one find out what program to take? Current one was easy - I'm a writer, I love what I do, and the prof writing track seemed tailor made for me. But now I don't know. Here is what WSU has to offer, that fits my interests at least somewhat: Literature Creative Writing Composition & Rhetoric Mass Communication Organizational Communication Communications Studies At the moment I'm leaning toward the last two, but I need a much better explanation about them than what the graduate catalog gives. I guess I'll be contacting Bri's and my favorite alien-head professor, who happens to be the director of grad programs, to see if he can steer me a little. Isn't this FUN?

01-21-2010, 01:21 AM	#2
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Congratulations, Juniper. You're four years ahead of where I should have been, had I had the brains. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

01-21-2010, 01:28 AM	#3
jujuwwhite Capnhowdy's #1 smasher Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rentz, GA Posts: 339	Congrats! I'm proud for you! __________________ I don't suffer from insanity...i enjoy every moment of it.

01-21-2010, 02:02 AM	#4
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	And doing it the hard way, without any basket weaving or navel gazing classes, too. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-21-2010, 09:24 AM	#6
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Congrats - I finished in my "afterlife" as well. I know how hard it is to juggle the spouse/family/house/job and all that... Pat yourself on the back, get a copy of that diploma and hang it proud and prominently! __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

01-21-2010, 11:11 AM	#7
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	Well, scratch the prof writing certificate. Just found out I'm one class short. GRRRR I am so mad. Trying hard not to care, not succeeding yet.

01-21-2010, 11:13 AM	#8
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I'll sign a petition of exemption. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-21-2010, 12:12 PM	#10
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	remember that class you took a danac university?. . . __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

01-21-2010, 01:58 PM	#11
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	Class in question is not offered next quarter. SO unfair. But . . . it's OK. I've chilled out a little bit, and I don't care so much. It's an online class (probably) so I can take it any time, even after grad.

01-22-2010, 12:09 AM	#12
morethanpretty Thats "Miss Zipper Neck" to you. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: little town (but not the littlest) in texas Posts: 2,957	Oh that really sucks Juni, I hate it when classes I need (or really want) aren't being offered at all. That's gonna be my big challenge finishing my associates too. I have to say, I hate writing, so I really respect that you can take that path. I am really envious of people who are good at it and enjoy it. You should insist on someone throwing you a graduation celebration, you deserve it! __________________ Addicts may suck dick for coke, but love came up with the idea to put a dick in there to begin with. -Jack O'Brien

01-22-2010, 08:50 AM	#13
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	MTP, you're right. I should have a party! We could make it a combo, celebrating graduation 6/12, my son's birthday 6/30, and my hubby's birthday 7/14. I don't think I did anything when I got my Associate's. Maybe went out to dinner or clubbing. And I do remember my high school graduation celebration was an absolute MESS. Long story. MTP, it's OK you hate writing. I am thankful that the world is full of people who hate writing. That way, I will always have a job.

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