Tonight I attended the very last class of my grad school career. It was sort of anticlimactic, being that I haven’t really loved this class and have been anxiously awaiting it’s end. I still have one more paper to write for it, but then I’m home free. The thesis is all but done, save some final editing and formatting (that also feels sort of anticlimactic. Maybe that’s because I don’t feel like I can relax until it has the final signatures and is submitted for binding).
I do believe that this has been the quickest year and a half of my life. In many ways it feels like I just started this program. However, there is also lots of very real proof that it has been a labor-intensive process (the thesis for one). Much of the evidence is intangible, like the fact that I now comfortably call myself a writer and feel really comfortable with that identity. There is also the fact that I have learned that I can write on demand in a very coherent and readable way.
I will never, ever regret going back to school and getting this degree. I actually rank it among the top three best decisions I’ve made in life (along with going to Whitman for undergrad and moving to Philadelphia). It’s also nice to be at the end of it and moving on to lots of cool, new stuff.
If you’re in the Philly area and want to help me celebrate the fact that I’m graduating, come out to National Mechanics on Saturday, December 15th at 8 pm. A good time will be had by all!
Congratulations!
As someone who’s admired your writing for a long while now, I believe your acceptance of your own identity as a writer is a greater accomplishment than the degree itself.
That said, congratulations on getting through the grind!
Congratulations on finishing the degree! I am in the throes of finishing my first semester as a grad student (I’m getting my M.A. in English with a concentration in.. rhetoric & writing), so I’ve been very interested in your experiences.
I’m also horribly, horribly jealous that you’re done and I still have a year and a half to go. Bah! 🙂
I’m feeling such a mixture of pride and jealousy right now.
Congrats!
Yes Yes Yes!!!! I’m so proud of you! If only I could be with in Philly with you to celebrate. You know, I have never made a list of my top decisions in life but living in Philadelphia would definitely make the list. Lots of love.
Congrats!!! I’m so proud of you and impressed! And so happy for you that you are done with classes. 🙂 I hope your thesis is done quickly and I look forward to reading it some day. Have a good weekend. Love you, A
Yay! Congratulations! I hope I can come to celebrate on Saturday. (not sure yet as it depends on timing of things and people on Sat.)
I think the first time I commented on your blog was when you were about to start or had just started grad school…
I just looked and found the post!
http://www.apartment2024.com/2006/08/28/goin-back-to-school/
I had a similar feeling with school, I went in to it having difficulty calling myself an artist and came out feeling 100% artist and everything else is secondary (career-wise that is). As far as anticlimactic endings go, I think I picked up my diploma from the secretary a few months after graduation.
I’m all for anticlimactic endings as there is less of a jolt as you continue into regular non-student life again.