So I received my diploma in the mail the other day. I could hardly breathe as I opened the package. I think I remember myself hopping up and down in a parking lot as I ripped it open. I had waited and worked a long time for that piece of paper. That small moment in the parking lot was so personally important. It was not the traditional graduate moment in a hat and gown, hearing my name called, and walking across a stage, but it was my moment. I don't think I'll ever forget it.
I officially finished classes around the same time we moved out to Texas. There was so much going on in those few months before our move. My last semester I worked like a robot. I didn't take it in, I just worked. This past week I have had some time to think back on my college experience. It was a pretty untraditional road, but I met so many amazing people and learned so many different things. I went to four schools and pursued three different majors. Yeah... I was that kid. I didn't have it all figured out then...but I can't say that I have it all figured it now haha.
I want to remember so I decided to share some of my favorite memories and lessons.
1. Toccoa Falls College (Major: Cross-Cultural Adult Education Minor: Ethnomusicology)
- My ethnomusicology classes! One of my finals was listening to pieces of music and writing down the composer and time period. This is harder than it sounds. The first day of this class my professor told us that we didn't know how to listen to music and that he was going to teach us how...and he did. I also took a world music class that covered cultural music. We took a trip out to Emory in Atlanta to play an ancient gong instrument that was played in Emporers' palaces in Asia. I remember we had to take our shoes off for the entire session out of respect.
- There was a beautiful waterfall on campus. Some people said that a Native American princess committed suicide by jumping off of the falls. It was the classic Romeo and Juliet legend. She apparently had a lover from a rival tribe that she could not be with.
-My Hmong friends! This was a beautiful community of students at Toccoa. They introduced me to Pho for the first time. It was the best soup I had ever had.
- A girls dorm. I remember getting used to living with all girls. It was very intense at times, but other times is was so much fun! I didn't grow up with sisters, but I gained some during that time.
2. Kennesaw State University (Major: Art Education)
- Studio Classes! I took several art studio classes like drawing and 2D design. I had never thought I was much of a drawer, but I learned that it could be taught. I loved everything about these classes. I always had some kind of chalk or paint on my hands. We worked on easels the whole class period in rustic studios that smelled like paint. I learned how to look at things differently. I learned how to pay attention to light, detail, and composition. The art department was a different world. The students had wild hair and interesting vocabulary. They were experimental and honest. It was refreshing.
-Nude Models. Yes one of my classes required us to draw nude models. We were learning how to draw the human form. I remember the first class, I probably turned five different shades of red. I learned how to open my eyes in this class. Believe it or not, there is something so deeply amazing when you can draw the perfect curve of a shoulder or even a facial expression. I remember being grateful and amazed at the way that God created every detail of the human body.
-Art History! I am in love with art history. In these classes we studied works of art, technique, and how art is one of the greatest indicators of a culture and time.
- Independence. I learned how to enjoy being by myself during this time. I loved being able to navigate unknown and sometimes uncomfortable territory. I loved all the different people that I met and how they didn't believe like I did. I found out what I believe. It stretched me for the better. I feel like I became more relevant in those few semesters.
3. Columbus State University (Major: Business)
-Married, Commuter Student. I learned about the challenges of being married and still going to college. It is possible if you stick to your guns!
-Planning ahead. I learned the art of planning ahead. I drove an hour to school and was in full time ministry.
4. Ohio Christian University (Major: Business Management)
- Perseverance even if no one is looking! Online school is a different world. You don't see your classmates or professors and sometimes you feel a little alone. But it is doable and works out for the hermit perfectionist types like me haha.
- A love for meaningful business. I learned that business can really make an impact on the world. I believe that God can use it to accomplish His purposes.
- Quiet Celebration. I learned that some of my accomplishments would only be seen and felt by me. It was important for me to acknowledge those wins and keep going.
There is so much more that I could probably say about my college experience. It was unique, long, lonely, challenging, exciting, and worth it. It was mine.
I am thankful for my parents for being patient and supportive through all of my changes.
I am thankful for my husband for reminding that I am more than what I do in school, for seeing my hard work and my wins, and for being my consistent cheerleader especially during online education.