Now, let me start this article off with a cliche: Life is about the journey, not the destination. I know you're all rolling your eyes already, but if there's anything I've learned the past 25 years of my life, it's that there isn't another phrase that sums up our experience better than that.
For the longest time, I was embarrassed by the fact that I was finishing my undergraduate degree at 25 years old. When I first transferred to Mount Saint Mary, I sat in the 10 a.m. class looking around and seeing how young everyone was. That first day I wanted to give up, I felt so silly. It wasn't until I realized that I took a journey that was much different than those 19-year-olds, and I wouldn't trade the memories I've made for anything.
I've never been a traditional student. I've always been smart, but never the best student. I had a B average for most of high school and didn't have a super high rank in my graduating class. I was more interested in my high school sweetheart than leaving my hometown for college and started taking classes at the local community college. My usual antics didn't work in college courses and had a horrible first semester. Even in community college, I had a huge wake-up call. Second semester I realized how much work college would be, and got very serious about my studies.
Being the "dreamer" I've always been I changed my major three times in two years and was only able to transfer 36 credits to a four-year institution. My wandering heart always loved the south and I took a gamble at Coastal Carolina University. I joined a sorority, something I never envisioned for myself, and met some of the most amazing people. I was able to travel to Chicago, and attend a leadership conference where I learned so much about my strengths and how to use them.
However, my dream came crashing down when I realized how quickly I had run out of money and had to move back home, leaving my new life behind. South Carolina had been the first place that really felt like home, and it led me into a deep depression. I did a lot (too much) drinking and still allowed myself to entertain the idea that I would be able to return to South Carolina, damaging some friendships in the process.
It took some time to get out of extreme debt, and I had to take two years off of school, and then decided to finish my associates degree at the same community college I started out at four years earlier. When I was finally able to transfer to a four-year college I could afford (without having to starve myself), and I had mixed emotions. I was so scared I would be judged by my peers, and that I would fail miserably.
This past week I received an email that I am eligible to graduate with my bachelors degree in December, and all those worries seemed so small. It didn't matter that I didn't take the traditional route, I was no longer jealous of the kids whose parents shoveled money into their children's bank accounts. I looked at that email and realized that everything I've worked for thus far, everything I've sacrificed for was finally here. I didn't have parents that paid for my college, and I taught myself everything I needed to know about the FAFSA, applications, MLA format and course requirements.
It's been a wild ride from point A to point B and that's OK. It doesn't matter how you reach your goals, as long as you reach them.
