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? :D

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

Congrats! I'm proud for you!

And doing it the hard way, without any basket weaving or navel gazing classes, too. :thumb2:

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.

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!

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.

I'll sign a petition of exemption.

Can't you take an extra class?

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

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.

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!

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. ;)

I love and hate writing in equal measure :P

Juniper;629102 wrote:

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

We got time. :D

Well. OK. In a nutshell -- I was 18 and in looooove. Had long anticipated the big graduation day, but alas, my boyfriend never showed up. Wasn't at the ceremony or my lame little party afterward. I was sad. My dad gave me a six-pack, and as I chugged my first one, my aunt and uncle and dad got into a big argument about how irresponsible it was to give an 18 year old beer, grad or no grad. I ignored them, drank, and cried.

Later, good and buzzed, I went to my boyfriend's apartment and asked him WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? He screamed back at me that it was none of my goddamn business where he'd been, which of course sent me into hysterics as only a drunk 18 year old girl can have. He'd completely forgotten about my graduation, because instead he'd been driving around to various friends' places looking for pot.

And the really sad thing is, I stayed with this idiot for another two years. Dummy.

And that, my friends, is why I need a GOOD graduation party. :)

If yer dad gives you a six pack for graduation...

If yer boyfriend misses your graduation because he's driving around looking for pot...

If you stay with him for two years anyway...



...you might be a redneck

Yeeeee-haw!

I think you deserve a grad party that's just yours Juni. Sharing a party is a great idea usually (birthdays etc) but your Grad party is a one off.

Congrats on the upcoming graduation and I'd agree with everyone who's said that you should celebrate the occasion.

Juniper;629228 wrote:

Well. OK. In a nutshell

Thank you. ;)

Good work Juni!

DanaC;629272 wrote:

I think you deserve a grad party that's just yours Juni. Sharing a party is a great idea usually (birthdays etc) but your Grad party is a one off.

Totally agree! Btw, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :celebrat: :cheerldr: :celebrat: :cheerldr: :celebrat: :cheerldr: