Nobody told me that graduating would be so tiring. We always see pretty pictures of girls and boys in their square hats, but nobody mentioned the blistered feet from walking around too much, the parched throats from lack of water, the ache in your cheeks from all the smiles, the awkward moments when you meet people you sorta know, the sticky hair from being plastered to your sweaty face, the mortar board falling all over the place because no pins could hold them in place, because in that moment, nothing could beat the feeling of glory that you've achieved another milestone in life. It is probably the biggest milestone yet, and with your family and friends congratulating you and telling you how proud they are of you, it's the best feeling ever. :)

My graduation wasn't what I expected, it wasn't everything that I've imagined. My boyfriend wasn't there, I barely had time to be with my friends, and I didn't get to take cool pictures with my graduation robes. But you know what? None of these really matter because the most important parts were all there; my whole family was there with me, and though they complained a lot about the food during the trip, it was all good because we got to spend time together. From fretting over what I should wear to my match my graduation robes to flustering over all of the official procedures I have to go through, it's really funny when I look back to realize how minute all of it are and there reall was no point worrying about it. Anyway, graduation's really just a ceremonial thing. During the whole event, I couldn't help but think wow, this is such a social convention, like every single little detail is. You don't actually have to go through the whole award giving ceremony to get the certificate, you've already earned the certificate, but because society dictates that you put on your graduation robes and mortar board, you go through it. 

So far, I've achieved all of my goals that I've set for myself, and god, it feels so good. Every late night, every class, every assignment, every exam, it has finally paid off. Due to a tiny little blunder in my first semester, I never thought that it would be possible for me to get First Class, but yeah, I really made it. I could still remember that particular moment when I was about to check my final CGPA, and how crazily overjoyed I was when I realised it was First Class! And what comes with it is my supervisor's recognition and my family's too. My tertiary education is gonna be free! If it all works out with PTPTN, that is. 

My university life had been amazing, I wouldn't change any part of it. I loved what I studied, I loved the people I've met, and most of all, I loved the places I've been. Many people would think it's a weird degree, or a weird place to be in, but nobody knows what it feels like to have felt so much passion to know the cultures and the social issues and to be able to write about it, it has really shaped me into who I am today. I could only hope that all these knowledge I've gained could be put to good use in the future. There were a lot of tears, but there were even more laughter than I remembered and I believe come what may, but I've grown even stronger than ever. I've gained a lot, but I've also lost a lot, and all of these bittersweet memories will be forever embedded in my heart.

As I embark on this journey called life, hahaha, I'm afraid and excited at the same time of what is to come. Having secured a job so quickly had been a great blessing and I know I have my lucky stars to thank. It was a roller coaster ride, and it's been one helluva ride.