Graduation

It's official, I have graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London, with a degree in History. I would love to say that Graduation was one of the happiest days of my life, but honestly, I think the day was intended more for the benefit of my family than myself. My mum got to watch me put on a silly hat and collect my scroll, after three years of constant house moves, late night phone calls and a severely stressed out daughter. I guess the day is their reward for all the love and support throughout the very turbulent journey of earning a degree.

For me, university finished weeks before, when I put on a princess dress and attended the Summer Ball with my friends, just after our final exams. I could feel myself finally relax, knowing I had done my best and was finally free. That new found freedom, although only temporary as I managed to secure a job before I graduated, was embraced fully. To know that nothing hangs over your head, no looming dissertation or exam timetable waiting for you in the future is a wonderful thing. For the first time, since I was five years old, I had left the grasp of formal education.

Finding out that I was graduating with a 2:1 was more of a relief than anything else, thus graduation day seemed like more of a formality to me. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, I got to spend time with my friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in a while, and take lots of photos with my family. The day however, seemed to involve a lot of waiting around, and sadly a hefty amount of rain - and me being the super organised human being that I am, left my umbrella back home in London.

The last three years have been incredible (though during the weeks of revision and essay deadlines I may not have agreed) and I'm sure in the future Roho will be sorely missed... though at the moment I'm pretty excited to move on and enjoy the next phase of this crazy adventure called life.