As I began my final class in the final term of my final step toward becoming a college graduate, I just wanted to be done with school, wanting to know what would be next. My mind was set on just getting through it and moving on as if nothing had happened. In my mind, by the social standard set before me, it should have all been done ten years ago. Then, it would have meant something. All it was to me was finishing what I started and keeping a promise to my favorite person.
However, as the assignments became fewer and the final submission approached, reality began to sink in exactly what I was accomplishing.
Throughout my return to school, I was doing a balancing act. 40 hours a week were dedicated to my full-time job during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. My social life was that of someone in their late twenties/early thirties still figuring it all out. I threw in, give or take, dozens (and dozens) of Cubs games a year. It’s almost as if I were trying to make myself forget I was still a student.
The life of a half-time student.
If you have never been to online school, this is how it breaks down. Each course I took lasted 8 consecutive weeks. During the week, there was a “discussion post” that was due by midnight on Thursday. This was a course-related topic that required you to compose a response of about 2-3 paragraphs. Then, by Sunday night, I was required to respond to 2 of my classmates’ posts with my thoughts on their posts.
Additionally, I had anywhere from 1 to 3 (sometimes as many as 4) assignments to complete during the week. This would be a short paper, a PowerPoint presentation, a recorded statement, or anything like that. Also intertwined were “milestone” checkpoints for the final project. Then, the final project was due either in the penultimate week or the final week. When one course ended, another one immediately began (or, a short one-week holiday break happened). I did this for almost 5 years.
I am a visual learner and do my best with others in the room with me. Plus, I am a self-diagnosed procrastinator. None of this was very fun, but I did it. It’s over. I am officially a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Go Penmen. Shoutout Obvious Shirts.
So, I got the (VERY expensive) piece of paper. Now what?
A handful of people have come up to me and asked me what I am going to do next. It’s always been about what’s next down the pipeline.
“Are you going to go to grad school?”
“How about a Master’s?”
“Will you look for a new job related to your degree?”
I do have the piece of paper everyone looks for first in applicants, now, this is true. No, no grad school for me. I have no desire for a Master’s right now. I feel stable and content where I am professionally. This is a good spot to be for what I really want.
I want to write and do the sports balls, if you will.
I have been fortunate enough to have several opportunities to blog and create over the years. It has been about anything from the Chicago Cubs to the Cleveland Browns. I wanted to create and run a podcast about anything and everything. While I loved my time blogging, podcasting, and interacting with sports fans all over, the time I needed to finish my degree hindered my ability to go all-in on what I wanted to do. Now that school is over, I am ready.
I recently saw a post from someone going through a search for their new beginning that reminded me that the opportunity I am looking for is in my own hands. I can start whenever I want to. While I am eager to find an opportunity like that to start again externally, I am excited for this opportunity I am giving myself to start again right here, right now.
It’s never too late to begin again. It’s also never too early.
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