Drum roll, please!

[sinkwriter]

And now for big news...

I'M DONE WITH SCHOOOOOOOOOOOL!

Can you believe it??

Seems like forever ago I came here and posted about taking my very first class, and about how nervous I was going back to school after so long away from that kind of environment. I thought this day would never come. I agonized over it, and worried that I wouldn't be able to handle the coursework, especially not being a graphic artist.

I'm still no expert, will always have lots to learn and hone, but at long last I am done with school!

This feels so surreal, I'm not even sure what to do with myself. LOL. *GRIN*

Obviously, I have to find a job, but beyond that I'm just so happy to have a part of my life back. After 3 1/2 years of non-stop studying, homework, tests and projects, I will have some actual free time in my schedule, time that I can devote to so many different options.

• There are some stories I've wanted time to finish -- I could get back to writing.



• I've thought about joining a choir or finding an outlet for singing of some sort.



• I have a stack of books to read, novels and biographies and books that I've received as birthday and Xmas gifts that are just waiting to be opened and poured over.



• I'd like to experiment with some computer art Photoshop and Illustrator tutorials to practice my skills and have some fun trying to recreate their final products. Given how much I hated Photoshop in the beginning, that statement alone is pretty damn huge. :D



• I'd like to create a fun website as a home for my writings (both personal and fanfiction), and other creative works. This is actually something I worked on as an assignment during one of my very first web design classes, but now that I know how to do a lot more, I'd like to rework the design.



• I want to get back to my workouts and focus harder on losing the weight I'd like to lose, a project which had been pushed to the wayside for a while now because I had too much on my proverbial plate and that kind of endeavor needed more focus than I had time or energy to devote.



• I'd also like to relax a bit, maybe watch some movies, allow myself to do 'nothing.'



• And of course I want to spend some time here, catching up with everyone and re-engaging with my friends online and off.

It's almost overwhelming. I've spent so much time these past few years having to be so structured with my time and energy. I'm not sure I know how to turn off that mindset and allow myself to 'go with the flow' for a while.

Plus, I'll be going from a ton of structure in my life to almost none, so it's going to be tough to find a new balance, where I'm not forcing myself to GO GO GO all the time because that's what I'm used to, and instead allow myself to relax a bit more often... but at the same time not completely fall apart with no structure, you know what I mean? It's going to be an interesting challenge, to find that new balance.

Nevertheless, I'm just so happy to be done with school. Honestly, I'm not sure it's sunk in yet. Of course, grades aren't posted yet, and I doubt the school will send me a diploma before the holidays, so nothing's completely official yet. But I have finished my final class day and my homework's all been submitted, all tests taken, so there's nothing left for me to do in this arena.

I'm DONE! And I worked really hard to get to this day, so -- as I instructed a friend of mine who also just finished her degree -- I'm taking a moment to savor the accomplishment.

Thank you all for being SO supportive over these past years, as I struggled and learned and complained and whined and cursed and laughed and worked to get all this done. I'm truly grateful.

♥ ♥ ♥

Comments

[poniesandphotos.livejournal.com]

Congrats! Enjoy all your new freedom.

[wendelah1]

Congratulations. You definitely should take a moment.

[ladymidath.livejournal.com]

Grab some much needed me time hon, you earned it. :-)

[limone1.livejournal.com]

Congratulations and good luck ♥ Savor and enjoy your fantastic accomplishment!

If I find the time for a personal post this weekend, please don't hesitate to count yourself as a recipient!

[leucocrystal]

YAY! Congrats to you! So happy for you! ♥

[readthesubtext.livejournal.com]

It's the best feeling when you can let your hair down, put your feet up and really enjoy the holiday season without having to worry about studying/homework/exams etc. Congrats on mastering the art of web design and wrapping up your degree, Sherry - which I know you will have passed with flying colours - and no doubt 2014 will open up a lot of new doors for you, too. Now break out that mulled wine, put on some tunes and relish your new-found freedom! x

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very proud of you :)

(and sorry so late, been so behind)