Ordinarily, I guess graduating an undergrad isn't a big deal. For some people, they can just fly through four years with no problem.
For me, though, it's been an ongoing struggle. I had official first year of university in 1997, shortly after graduating High School. I finished that year but dropped out around November the following year. Part of this was because I had no bloody clue what I wanted to do. From there, I struggled with depression, moved several times, attempted wrestling school and had a major nervous breakdown (the lowest point in my life where once a year, on the date, I'll celebrate it; this year was my 11th anniversary).
But after a few years, I returned to school as a mature student. I declared English Literature as my major. And I loved it. God, I loved it. I went from being the quiet kid in the back of the class, barely paying attention and reading comics...to being the keener in the front row going, "Ooh! Ooh! I know!"
But after the second year of that, depression hit me hard again. I dropped out a second time. For the next few years, I worked pretty much full-time at Blockbuster and doing very little else. Finally, a friend of mine convinced me to move to Toronto. I did, tried wrestling school again which didn't work (long story). After a year of that, I went back to school in Toronto (York).
And now? After 14 years of struggles? I'm now nearly done. I've seen three sets of friends graduate (High School, the friends I met in '97 and the ones I met about 2003 when I returned). April 5 is the last day of classes. My last exam is on the 10th. I've spoken with someone in the English department and all the degree requirements will be fullfilled. I've written three out of four final essays and have three exams (two take-home, one regular) to write.
My parents and other members of my direct family are coming up to see my graduation ceremony in June.
And...goddamn, I don't even know how to feel. It's surreal. It's this one thing I've struggled with for near half my life. There's a light at the end of a long, depressing tunnel.
For me, though, it's been an ongoing struggle. I had official first year of university in 1997, shortly after graduating High School. I finished that year but dropped out around November the following year. Part of this was because I had no bloody clue what I wanted to do. From there, I struggled with depression, moved several times, attempted wrestling school and had a major nervous breakdown (the lowest point in my life where once a year, on the date, I'll celebrate it; this year was my 11th anniversary).
But after a few years, I returned to school as a mature student. I declared English Literature as my major. And I loved it. God, I loved it. I went from being the quiet kid in the back of the class, barely paying attention and reading comics...to being the keener in the front row going, "Ooh! Ooh! I know!"
But after the second year of that, depression hit me hard again. I dropped out a second time. For the next few years, I worked pretty much full-time at Blockbuster and doing very little else. Finally, a friend of mine convinced me to move to Toronto. I did, tried wrestling school again which didn't work (long story). After a year of that, I went back to school in Toronto (York).
And now? After 14 years of struggles? I'm now nearly done. I've seen three sets of friends graduate (High School, the friends I met in '97 and the ones I met about 2003 when I returned). April 5 is the last day of classes. My last exam is on the 10th. I've spoken with someone in the English department and all the degree requirements will be fullfilled. I've written three out of four final essays and have three exams (two take-home, one regular) to write.
My parents and other members of my direct family are coming up to see my graduation ceremony in June.
And...goddamn, I don't even know how to feel. It's surreal. It's this one thing I've struggled with for near half my life. There's a light at the end of a long, depressing tunnel.
During TNG's grad ceremony you couldn't find a single parent that was more proud of their child then that of Nick's parents. I'm sure they were tearing up as well, but I couldn't tell (yes I was tearing up from how happy I was for him). I was also bursting with how proud of him I was at that moment and still am! His parents were EXTREMELY proud of Nick as well. They both couldn't stop beaming up at him as he crossed the stage. Plus you never heard parents hoot and holler at their child up on stage getting their diploma the way his parents did. CONGRATULATIONS NICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
