Oh, the places you'll go....after you kind of graduate
“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!”
I have never been one for pep talks, inspirational quotes, or other people trying to inspire in me the motivation and guidance needed to push forward and succeed. I think that is because I have rarely had the need for it, as I have always found that within myself. With that said, in recent days I have found a comfort in the wise words of Dr. Suess and cute kitten posters saying "you can do it!"....and it’s probably because of my impending graduation.
It is now 17 days until my graduation ceremony. I am both ridiculously excited for this day to come and absolutely terrified of it. I have a feeling that this is normal, but I didn't expect to feel this way myself....especially because I'm only kind of graduating. See, it turns out cramming a triple major and a minor into four years is doable, but incredibly exhaustive and well...insane. So, while I will have completed my public relations degree and math minor, I will be attending Drake in the fall to finish up my pesky physics and astronomy degrees.
In a sense, I feel like I am cheating. All my friends who will be actually graduating are being thrust into the world, forced to flail their arms out and learn to swim. Me? I will be working at an amazing internship this summer, and then come back to Drake for seconds. To put it in terms of my swimming metaphor, it feels like I get floaties.
But, regardless of my qualms about the officiality of my graduation, the reality that I’m going to be a functioning adult in society who doesn't get to use her school ID as a discount tool at retail stores and museums anymore is hitting me. I am finally beginning to understand to a more full extent what the saying "from every ending comes a new beginning" means.
I now see that what it’s saying is that as I embark on my journey as a college graduate*, the journey that I just ended is part of me and is what will make this new path different. Sorry to pull out my math minor...but to me life is like a continuous function, and no matter where you are on the curve, you are still the same function. Each point is at a different place because of where you were before, and where you will continue to go is dependent on the point you are at presently.
As I move forward into my adventures this summer, my "comeback kid" semester at Drake, and whatever else life throws at me, I am starting to understand that I have been on a journey all along, and the next phase of my journey is just beginning. And I am scared and excited... just as I should be.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go...”
So, if you would like to follow along with my "continuous function" that is bound to have its fair share of maximums and minimums, you can find it all here on my blog and social media. I will do my best to share my experiences, thoughts, and plenty of science with you all.
Until next time,
Rena
*remember? I am only kind of graduating. Just had to remind you :)