Stage 1: Shock

This is when professors start throwing words like "graduation," "diploma," "licensure," "resume," "interviews," and "work" at you. All the sudden you realize that this thing is really happening. You somehow survived college and now you have to go out and be a real adult. What does that even look like?

Stage 2: Exhaustion

This can hit pre or post finals but when it does all you want to do is hibernate for a few months. You join the line of peasants sleeping on benches, books, computers, and any surface you can. You don't care if you are in a public place. Falling asleep in the library? Please you own this place at this point in your college career. You've earned this nap.

Stage 3: Joy

What we should all say to our professors after walking across that stage. Never shall you ever force me to pull an all nighter again. I will soar away from this place like the majestic eagle I am! #WUeagles #soarfree

Stage 4: Pride

This will be me when looking at undergrad peasants. Yes I did graduate, yes it feels awesome, and yes I rock for pulling this off. What can I say? This diploma just really brings out the tan I've been getting while you were taking finals!

Stage 5: Gratitude

Seriously though…I don't know how I could have made it through without the basic staples of college. Thank goodness for cheap rates at Citgo and the Wi-Fi found in the golden statue of our school mascot's butt.

Stage 6: Euphoria

Yes. Every single day leading up to graduation is like rainbows, bunnies, and unicorns prancing all over my life. When I threw away the evil edTPA folder and the rest of my old work, I'm pretty sure angels started singing.

Stage 7: Acceptance and Hope

Just like this little girl I shall ride into grown-up world prepared to conquer. Despite how grueling Winthrop was at times I know it has prepared me to slay in the real world. I am full of excitement and hope for my future as a part of a larger community. Here I come grown-up world!