I Graduated College! | A Reflection on the Best 4 Years

I DID IT! After four years of lugging around heavy books, spending countless hours in the journalism building, and trying to balance college life with work life and a social life, I can proudly say it has all paid off. Last Saturday on May 21, 2016, I graduated from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations — and I couldn't be happier!

 

I love these Pinterest-inspired graduation announcements I made!

College has given me so much. I'm so incredibly thankful every single day that I made the decision to go to Franklin — it truly was the right fit for me. I love the career path I've chosen and studied for four years, and I can't wait to see where it takes me!

I'm so incredibly blessed to have had the opportunities I've been given, and for those that I have created for myself throughout my college experience. The fact that I was able to even go to college, let alone meet the love of my life, grow further into my true self, and become the happiest and the most driven I've ever been is worth so much more than a degree.

I find that we don't often think about this, but just imagine for a moment that you didn't make the decisions you've made that have led you to where you are today. Imagine you didn't go on that first date, you never applied for that job, you chose to attend a different school, you didn't say that first hello — where would you be now?

Throughout my college experience, I discovered what I like and what I don't like (both in friendships and in relationships), and the type of people I click with and choose to surround myself with. I think this is such an important step of self-discovery at this point in your life, an age where you are growing into your adult self. Everything ends up the way it's suppose to and I'm thankful for the support of my family and each of my friends that I've walked away from college with: those at Franklin and other schools.

I began college single and walked out with a soulmate. Never did I think this is what my fate would be, but also, never did I think this wasn't what my fate would be. I was open-minded, and I think that is what is so important about college — being open-minded to new people, new places, and new experiences. Take the opportunities that are given to you and stay true to yourself. I'm closing the door to my college experience knowing that I remained true to myself and stuck to my guns every single day, and grew so much. I can confidently (and happily) say that I have no regrets about my college experience and can reflect on it with such content feelings.

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Now that I've completed my schooling, I can't wait to put my full focus on elements of my life that I'm more passionate about, such as my blog and my career — and striving to become the businesswoman of my dreams, of course! ;) In addition to that, I'll be spending my first few months of post-grad life beginning to plan our wedding and making our first official place together our home.

As I sit here with my fiancé in our home, I'm overwhelmed with happiness. I appreciate the simple pleasures earned from my four years of hard work so much. This is the post-graduation end goal I dreamed of, and I DID IT! 

I can't stop smiling.