Yes, a w00t is most definitely in order. Four and a half years isn't that bad these days for getting through higher education, but I worked hard to get here and it included some of the most stressful periods of my life. People who have taken school seriously know what I'm talking about: skipping or leaving events with friends, sacrificing sleep for overnight sessions at the library, and somehow still managing to procrastinate and pulling your hair out cramming at the last minute, among many enjoyable college memories. Afterall, you don't know how good you could have done unless you really try, right? And if you plan to go on to grad school, it's not a bad idea to do good in undergrad (oh man, I need me some scholarships).
After my B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology, I still plan on getting a Psy.D (Doctorate in Psychology) in Clinical Psych, which projects a good 5-7 additional full-time years of schooling ahead. But not right away. God, no. I need a break, the kind that I felt during my studying abroad in Japan. So first things first, I made sure to apply to the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program with Jasmin to teach English to Japanese children, which runs on annual contracts. But if we get accepted we wouldn't leave until August, so in the meantime I'll be expanding my resume in psychology with part time jobs and side research.
College wasn't all hard work, though. Some of my most enjoyable experiences came about during this time, and helped prepare for life just as much as my conventional studies. For one, I found my awesome girlfriend, Jasmin, thanks to joining some extracurricular organizations. In the process I made tons of other friends, and helped to establish some interests and hobbies so I wouldn't go insane. It was these interests that led in a big way to living in Japan, which were the four most exciting months of my life. I think my sanity was maintained primarily through creating a genuine (masochistic?) interest in my studies, however, so when I'd inevitably sacrifice social options it really wasn't that bad. Organization helped too, keeping me acutely aware of everything that was due in each class and how much it counted towards my grade. I adapted, I didn't fight against college workload but made it my life, much more than a job that you're done with at the end of the day.
When it got near the end, I realized through my senioritis that I needed more control in my life. I'd discovered a way, through my self-study with Japanese, to continue studying anything that I found interesting. In other words, success with Japanese so far showed me that schooling as it's traditionally thought of isn't necessary to lead a life of learning. The techniques that I applied in college can be reinforced insofar as they're actually useful, and I can throw away the rest without any regret. The information itself isn't a primary concern; with two huge binders worth of notes from every class I took, I could literally write a book about my majors, or at least keep it for good reference.
In fact, maybe I could have learned the same things without college, in ways that were quicker, more efficient, and most importantly more FUN. But the kind of person I am and the people I've formed relationships with would be too different to even imagine, and perhaps I wouldn't have reached this conclusion without everything I've been through. I consider who I am today to be so different from the always-drawing-don't-care-about-studying-nonconformist me I was at the end of high school, and I don't plan on stopping at the always-studying-keeping-organized-Japanese me yet. It's a changing life out there in the "real world," and if you don't allow yourself to be fluid you won't be able to navigate the challenges to get where you want.
But look at me here, philosophizing about life when as a college student that's exactly what I've been deprived of, right? Not that I don't have the time to do that now, haha. Though it's true, I don't really know anything. I don't plan on acting like I do later on to explain why I'm not accomplishing these goals I just set out. I may have the time to ask why things won't go my way all the time, when looking for a job, building the foundations of a family, or learning at a certain pace, but what's the point? I'd rather focus on what I need to do and just do it. If that doesn't work, try something else, but always be doing (even if it's really small), wherever that brings me. Because that's how I roll. Do it for the journey not the destination, focus on fun as the highest priority, don't take life too seriously, all that jazz.
If yesterday wasn't so busy, maybe I would have gotten the chance to write this out as well. lol But as it stands I think I was rather satisfied with the day.
I woke up early and headed to graduation around 9am. Winter commencement is held in the gym on campus, a very intimate ceremony with only four tickets to give to family and friends. That's kind of why I chose this campus too, as something big enough to have a good reputation but with intimately small class sizes so that you can actually get to know your professors. And so it was the same when I went to stand with the rest of my graduating philosophy majors: a grand total of two... including me. Commencement itself was short and sweet, quite different from the drawn-out event in May that I've been to twice, and after some stage-walking and picture-taking it was over.
I took my parents, grandfather and his girlfriend, brother and his girlfriend to my apartment to show them the place after we left campus. Then we ate out for lunch, took a few more pictures, and said goodbye for the time being. Once home, I finally finished preparing my Japan host parents' Christmas package and rushed to the post office to ship it. I then hurried back to finish organizing some info from college, and went to my friend Pat's graduation party. As it turned out, I was the only other one there who graduated so the attention was all on us. I did have to pull myself away from the great food and fun times to hit up my friend Gary after not too long, in order to surprise our friend Jay who had just gotten back from studying in India. It was great to see her again, and while short the visit was still cool. I hung out with Gary for a while afterward and finally made my way home, to crash on my futon at around 2 in the morning.
IT'S SLEEP TIME!! Santa's coming tomorrow. :D
Pictures on Facebook
Congrats!!!!!
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