College Recap Five: The Finish Line
A finale and the start of a new chapter
Two years ago, I went back to college. It was a fun experience, but it’s over. I have a degree in journalism.
Still, I had a rocky last semester. I made mistakes that made my final semester difficult.
The mistake involved financial aid. The state offered me free college and paid me every semester. In my last semester, I refused payment, not because I hadn’t submitted the form, but because I had violated the requirements.
I dropped three of the four classes I applied for, and the financial aid wanted their money back. I tried bargaining with them since I didn’t want to lose it. It almost worked until I said, “Screw it. I’ll pay back the money.”
This is a mistake I won’t forget.
My parents keep reminding me, “If you sucked it up, you’ll have money.”
I didn’t have the income I typically had, but it didn’t bother me. I only needed one class to graduate. The others I added for fun.
The class was writing for the college newspaper, something I had been avoiding since my second semester of college. In my time in class, I had one story published. This made me feel worthless.
I tried not to let it bring me down. I learned what it’s like to work in a newsroom. Not everything I write will get published.
All that mattered was that I passed the class; I got an A. It was what I needed to graduate, and I’m grateful for it.
In an instant, the semester came to a close, and I was at the graduation ceremony. Interestingly, I graduated ten years after completing high school. I earned my high school diploma in 2015 and my bachelor’s degree in 2025.
I became the first person in the family to receive a bachelor’s degree. Most of my family is starting college, so that will soon change.
Either way, it’s over.
I have my degree.
What’s next?
I don’t know.
The reason I returned to college was to enhance and expand my online writing skills. However, more opportunities arose during college, and I considered getting a job.
I’m skeptical, though. I consider myself unemployable. Even though the U.S. treats journalists like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, it is not the problem. I’m just having a hard time finding work. I applied for and interviewed for jobs, but I didn’t get them.
I live in this perpetual state of unemployment, which makes me feel useless. I want to quit.
I won’t bring up more of my problems. That’s a different article. I only want to share where I am.
I’m turning 30 years old, and I’ve learned life is challenging. I dealt with abuse and navigating a condition, but through it all, I have persevered.
No matter what they say or do, no one will stop me.
I will pursue my dreams.
Check out the other entries of my college experience.
