Oh yeah, graduating is kind of a big deal

It finally sank in a little. As I walked in the doors to Collins Center and saw stacks of blurred faces in the stands I thought, "Oh... graduating is a BIG deal." 

I have gone to school for about 18 consecutive years. Eighteen years in the classroom all looking toward this final moment.

Before we were seated in front of the administrator-filled stage, we took one final lap around campus. With bagpipes leading the way, we took the same route we did four years ago as freshmen. I was fortunate enough to walk behind my good friend, Shawnee, and as we graced the sidewalks this last time we thought of how long we've come in four short years. 

Four years ago, I didn't know Shawnee. I didn't know any of who are now my best friends. I didn't know what I wanted to major in, let alone DO for the rest of my life. I hadn't met THE one. I hadn't played beer pong or had a legal drink. I hadn't experienced a college course and had no idea what I was getting into. It was only four years of my life, but I changed more in that four years than I thought could be possible.

I'm still caught in the blank space between studenthood and adulthood. I don't know where to go from here. But that's OK. For now I am soaking in the magnitude of my accomplishment, my biggest academic accomplishment: I earned my college degree. 

Yes, I did it. I may not know what to do with it, but I did it. And it feels good.