Countdown to graduation

It takes the average student at least four years to earn a degree from a college or university. Four very long years. Those years are filled with many different experiences, some are amazing and some downright awful and many in between. The thought of walking across the stage and receiving that diploma is the only thing that keeps you going at times. Well, that time has almost arrived for me. I have 2 months and 22 days left until that diploma ends up in my hands and instead of being ecstatic; I find my feelings are a little more conflicted.

I entered college in the fall of 2003. I was very overwhelmed by the college experience. I had graduated from a small school with only 1000 student total, in middle and high school and everyone knew everyone else. My graduating class was only like 75 students, including some I had known since kindergarten. Being in huge lecture halls without seeing a single familiar face was terrifying. The professors, with their thick syllabuses were very intimidating. My determination to do well kept me going.

Throughout my first two years, I slowly became more comfortable. Schoolwork was my main priority and I passed all my classes with flying colors. However, it wasn't until I entered my junior year that I made UNF my own. Once I started the classes for my major and minor, I felt I had finally found my niche. My professors opened my mind to new possibilities and showed me I could do whatever I set my mind to do. There lectures showed me how to think in new ways, that I could think for myself and not be bound by what others told me. My new friends showed me how to loosen up and find myself. Its so nice to find people who think the same way you do.

But not all of it was fun and games. There were many late, miserable nights and endless hours writing papers and working on projects. (Cough Mass Comm Research Cough). There was also the "maturity curve" as I like to call it. Not every grows up at the same pace, and learning how to avoid the drama kings and queens that still love to play high school games is still a battle. And who can forget the relationship ups and downs, the thrill of falling and the pain of having your heart broken. For each time my heart has been broken, I've learned more about myself and what it is exactly that I am looking for, so while painful, they've been good learning experiences.

And for all those friends who have been there, whether to mend my broken heart, or to comfort me during all my medical issues, or to just be goofy, I want to thank you. I couldn't have been as strong as I was without your neverending support.

I've spent the last year counting down to graduation and saying I can't wait to get out of here. Now as the clock really does wind down, I realize I don't really want it to end. I love my classes, I love my professors, and I love my fellow students and friends. If I could just go to class I would be happy, learning is fun. But I realize I'm burnt out on the work. So while I will be sad to leave, I'm excited about all the possibilities that await me. Besides if the real world is THAT scary, there is always grad school.