At Last - Pomp and Circumstance!
Well, the magical day is finally here. I’m graduating from college tomorrow night, by golly. Somewhere out there, there’s some little demons that are mighty chilly...
Can you believe I’m actually through, after all this time and talking about it? My graduation party announcements said “He’s Finally Done!” If it wouldn’t have insulted and/or offended half of my family, I probably would have made them say “It’s About Fucking Time!”
Can you believe I’m actually through, after all this time and talking about it? My graduation party announcements said “He’s Finally Done!” If it wouldn’t have insulted and/or offended half of my family, I probably would have made them say “It’s About Fucking Time!”
You see, I started college way back in September 1981, as a high school junior. Half a day of high school, an hour and a half bus ride, followed by 3 hours of college. I did that for my junior and senior years, then went for a full year after that.
Then I was recruited for a job, only 5 classes shy from my degree.
Now, the sensible thing to do would’ve been to say “Screw you guys and your overly generous paycheck! I’m finishing school!” Oops. Instead, I jumped at the opportunity, burning my academic bridges on the way out the door. The job paid $11.86 an hour to start, with full benefits, paid vacations, bonuses every quarter, you name it. Meanwhile, all of my buddies were slaving away for minimum wage ($3.35 at the time). I was going to be RICH. I was in like Flynn, man.
The job lasted three months, until I was unceremoniously laid off. Last hired = first fired, that sort of thing. Sucks, doesn’t it?
Fast forward ahead 23 years – to today. I’m now finishing what I started all those years ago, because of two reasons: One, it’s always bugged the snot out of me that I never finished my degree, even though I’ve been fairly successful with my meager education. And two, it’s my golden ticket out of this joint and onto the next big adventure.
Oh, sure – I’ll probably be one of the oldest people in cap and gown to walk across the stage tomorrow evening, but that’s okay. “Better late than never” has been my mantra since I started classes all over again two years ago, and it’s good to know that I’m done, and I’ve actually accomplished something this major.
I’ll walk away with a nice Business Admin degree, sporting a 4.0 GPA, something I haven’t done since my senior year of high school. Alas, my 4 point in the 1982-83 school year didn’t make up for my less than admirable point grades in 1979-1982, so there was no honor cord for me back then. But this time around I’ll proudly sport the gold cord and the Phi Theta Kappa stole – ‘cause I earned ‘em, baby. I earned ‘em.
So for those of you out there who’ve put off completing a project for half of your lifetime, now’s the time to get off your butt and finish it up. You never know – you may find that procrastination isn’t all that it was cut out to be in the first place.
As for me, I may find another class or two to sign up for... one of these days.
Then I was recruited for a job, only 5 classes shy from my degree.
Now, the sensible thing to do would’ve been to say “Screw you guys and your overly generous paycheck! I’m finishing school!” Oops. Instead, I jumped at the opportunity, burning my academic bridges on the way out the door. The job paid $11.86 an hour to start, with full benefits, paid vacations, bonuses every quarter, you name it. Meanwhile, all of my buddies were slaving away for minimum wage ($3.35 at the time). I was going to be RICH. I was in like Flynn, man.
The job lasted three months, until I was unceremoniously laid off. Last hired = first fired, that sort of thing. Sucks, doesn’t it?
Fast forward ahead 23 years – to today. I’m now finishing what I started all those years ago, because of two reasons: One, it’s always bugged the snot out of me that I never finished my degree, even though I’ve been fairly successful with my meager education. And two, it’s my golden ticket out of this joint and onto the next big adventure.
Oh, sure – I’ll probably be one of the oldest people in cap and gown to walk across the stage tomorrow evening, but that’s okay. “Better late than never” has been my mantra since I started classes all over again two years ago, and it’s good to know that I’m done, and I’ve actually accomplished something this major.
I’ll walk away with a nice Business Admin degree, sporting a 4.0 GPA, something I haven’t done since my senior year of high school. Alas, my 4 point in the 1982-83 school year didn’t make up for my less than admirable point grades in 1979-1982, so there was no honor cord for me back then. But this time around I’ll proudly sport the gold cord and the Phi Theta Kappa stole – ‘cause I earned ‘em, baby. I earned ‘em.
So for those of you out there who’ve put off completing a project for half of your lifetime, now’s the time to get off your butt and finish it up. You never know – you may find that procrastination isn’t all that it was cut out to be in the first place.
As for me, I may find another class or two to sign up for... one of these days.
posted by Tommy G at
4:49 PM
1 Comments:
Congratulations! Glad to hear the happy day has finally arrived. I haven't ever given one thought to going back to school after my college graduation 14 years ago. And my wife's recent graduate school education reminded me of how much I don't want to go back! Hope the future is very bright for you and the Mrs.!
By
Monty, at 3:00 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home