Wednesday 13th April 2016, Coventry Cathedral, United Kingdom.
Graduation Day, the day I had been waiting for. Four years of blood, sweat and a LOT of tears. After being sponsored to do my Bachelor's Degree through my Company, I knew that working full-time at the same time as studying was never going to be easy. However, I was up to the challenge.
By studying as well as working full-time, I learnt some valuable skills that I may not have if I had gone to university straight after my A-Levels. I now have a valuable 5 years experience within one of the world's top Aerospace Engineering companies, no student loans or debts as well as my qualifications to be proud of. Over the course of my studies I had been working 37 hour weeks, and studying in between to ensure I got the best result I could out of my degree. I managed to juggle a social life, my netball and sporting life alongside my personal life. How I managed to maintain proper friendships and relationships is beyond me however, as I barely had any time to think during certain modules along the way!
Not only did I manage to work, study and maintain relationships, but due to the non-existing debts I managed to do some travelling in between modules which has been such an amazing experience. A few of the places I've managed to visit over the past four years are; Japan, Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, Greece, Italy, Spain, Albania, Florida (USA) and the Czech Republic. From visiting the beautiful Sakura cherry blossoms in Japan, to sampling great Malaysian food as well as sipping sweet cocktails in an Ice Bar in Prague at Christmas time, I feel truly blessed to have been able to experience some parts of the world. I have my company, university, family, friends and my amazing boyfriend to thank for that.
All of this led up to the 13th April 2016, the day I finally got to put on my university colours, my gown and mortarboard and celebrate with my classmates that we had finally done it - we survived! The magical setting of the Coventry Cathedral on a wonderfully sunny spring day was the perfect, picturesque location for such a monumental event. I was there to walk up on stage in front of 700+ people, as well as the ceremony being streamed live on the Internet, to collect my degree certificate. My First Class Honours Degree certificate that I had put my heart and soul into obtaining. When I shook hands and collected my certificate none of the pain, tears, stress and anxiety of the past four years mattered anymore. I was finally there, I had done it, I had managed to secure myself the highest grade certification as well as holding down a good job and living my life.
To say that I am proud of myself is an understatement. I've always enjoyed education and learning, but good grades have never come easy to me. I have always had to push myself to my limits to get to where I am today, and I feel so blessed that I had such a great support mechanism in my family, boyfriend, friends and my final year lecturer. To see the smiles on my parents' faces in the cathedral as I walked down the aisle with my certificate was beautiful. To see how proud I had made them, to see that my achievement meant just as much to them, as it did to me. To have someone to share my moment with, to celebrate with, and to cherish the day with, really meant the world to me.
So here I am, now with official letters after my name, I officially hold a First Class Honours Degree in Business Management and Leadership (BA Hons)!!!
Until next time, xoxo
