My time at university was less than exuberant. (You can read more about my university selection process here and my time at university in this post). However, I prefer to remain thankful for my experience at university because even though it is unlike other Uni Stories, it’s a story nonetheless. Plus, coming to London allowed me to meet up with a lot of people I had met on social media in the years preceding my degree. Some of the people I have met on Twitter over the years have gone on to become some of my best friends ‘in real life’ too so I will always be grateful that I at least got that from my university experience.
My graduation story is pretty short and sweet in all honesty. Basically, my logic was that I did not want to go to my own graduation because I felt like I wanted to celebrate with the people that had helped and supported me during my time there, and that did not include fellow students. I did not see the appeal of forking out grad costs to spend the day with a room full of people who didn’t even know my face or remember my name. My degree arrived a few weeks after ‘graduation’ in the post and I spent the day of the ceremony in a funky bar in London with my family and friends, drinking champagne and eating great food; flying to Cyprus the following day for more celebrations. No regrets, whatsoever. So I didn’t get the traditional graduation picture, but I do have my own memories and my own pictures of my graduation day, the way I decided to spend it. I also have a graduation owl that my parents gave me, which is super cute and sits on my desk, serving as a daily reminder of my achievements.
I would seriously tell people not to give up when you’re going through something alone. If you enjoy what you do, it makes no difference what those around you think or do. If something hasn’t been done before, be the first! Paint your own path. Find your own way. If you don’t want to do something, always have the courage to say no. Never be guilt tripped into something because you feel like you ‘should’. I mean c’mon, I even rejected being part of my own yearbook!
Have you ever turned down the ‘chance’ to do what was expected of you, in favour of doing your own thing? How did it go? Let me know in the comments below.
Ellies London 
That owl is absolutely adorable and looks so much like you 😃🦉
You’re right about standing up for yourself and not give a damn about anything else. 👊🏼
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😮 Looks like me…😒
It is pretty cute though so I guess that is ok…
Thank you for reading 🙂 My graduation story is a bit different to others 😂
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I’m proud of you for getting through a not very engaging time and never giving up.
University isn’t the be all and end all and my own experience was a lonely one….And I NEVER used my qualification to this day….but I’ve had a varied and always interesting life….do what makes YOU HAPPY 😘😘😘😘😘
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Thank you so much for that 💋 It is always so important to make yourself happy in the one life that we have. I hope I will be able to do something vaguely related to journalism and writing one day to make a living! 💚
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Congratulations on graduating! Oh man, I felt the same way about graduation – it is EXPENSIVE!! I’m glad that you still got to go through it all. I’m glad that you stuck with your intuition :).
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
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Isn’t it just? And that’s all well and great if you feel like celebrating but I didn’t really fancy the expense. Thank you for your kind words and for reading my post ♥
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Congrats on graduating! I think we should always do what we feel right in our gut. If you had went to your graduation you probably would have regretted it. So taking that time to celebrate with your loved ones sound so much better!
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Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading my post ♥ That’s how I like to think of things as well – in all honesty I did hear a few people tell me I would regret not going but I knew in my heart what was right for me. I was grateful that my parents were understanding and did not pressure me to go ‘for the pictures’ etc. x
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You could always take graduation pictures anyway. That’s what my sister did for her one college graduation. We went out to like downtown and to a park and took some pictures in her cap and gown. She even decorated the cap too. Could be fun even!
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I took lots of pictures in central London and on my post grad holiday – but I didn’t pay to hire to the gown etc so didn’t get those pics! I still have no regrets ♥ Thank you so much for reading x
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I have just graduated too! I was so tired after ahaha x
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I love reading about graduations and even seeing the inspiring speeches at some of them but I know I made the right choice for myself at the time ♥ Thank you for reading my post and congrats on your graduation x
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Really enjoyed reading this post, especially on the part about not giving up! ✌️ My twin recently graduated and really excited to see him walk up and get his degree. 🎓 Keen to help him push on to this next steps – got to be they supportive older brother after all, haha. 😄
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Indeed! That was one thing I was worried about with my graduation, I didn’t want my folks to be disappointed if I didn’t go to the ceremony becuase I wouldn’t do the *walk* or get the *picture* in the gown etc. I’m lucky they were understanding and glad it all turned out ok in the end. Thank you for reading! X
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Nice post! I didn’t go to my graduation either for many of the reasons that you stated. That’s cool that you met people from Twitter and that they became friends beyond the screen. I have yet to experience that yet, but hope to at some point.
Roger
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Oh really? That’s so great! I haven’t heard from many people that didn’t go to their ceremony, although many people appreciate my decision. My Twitter friends were all I had a some points in my course, it was a pretty lonely time (if you see my other two posts on my time at University!) Thank you for reading Roger 😊
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The graduation owl is so cute! Did you name it?
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In all honesty I know that I would have named him initially. Since he’s Graduation owl (with the G) I think it was probably something like Gary – but I don’t remember what his name was – I definitely need to give him a proper name ♥ lol
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Haha, I’m sure you’ll come up with something.
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Good for you! Life is too short to do anything we don’t want to do. You most definitely did the right thing for you. Congratulations on Graduating.
I’ve never been in a situation like this, but I’d like to think I’d do the same thing x
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Thank you for your kind words and for reading ♥ I hope more people can do this if they want to as it is not an easy choice to make! x
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This sounds like such a great experience, well done to you for doing what you wanted! I wasn’t keen on graduation but once it was over I went for a meal with my family which was the best part, so I kind of wish I did the same as you and ditched it entirely! Though of course it was nice to take pictures in the cap and gown, but it was quite a stressful day haha! Love the graduation owl too, so cute!x
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I love this owl so much, I need to get him a name?! It’s great that you got the change to celebrate with you’re family and the pictures 😊 I think if I had to make the decision again I’d make the same choice so no regrets over here 😂 Thank you for reading 🙂 x
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Ooh how about Archimedes like in Sword in the Stone, or a Harry Potter owl like Errol or Pigwidgeon? 😄 No problem! x
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Love these ideas, especially Pigwidgeon – although I have never read any of the Harry Potter books! *ducks and people throw things at me* hehe x
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This is really inspiring… I just completed my first year at uni and it was a pretty disappointing year. Thank you for sharing – it’s given me that extra push to keep going!!
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Congrats on finishing your first year, that’s amazing! You might like my post on my time at uni > https://ellieslondon.wordpress.com/2018/09/11/my-university-experience-uni-life-and-my-course/ My time there was anything but “typical” and it was a pretty lonely time for me but I got through it! ♥️😄 Thank you so much for reading and good luck with the rest of your course! X
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Congratulations on your graduation and for being true to yourself.
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Thank you for your kind words and for reading my post ♥
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I love the way how you celebrated your graduation. I didn’t really celebrate mine, but I do remember my high school graduation. First there was a celebration at my school and afterwards, I just hang out with my friends for the rest of the night. I had the time of my life.
Bettie
http://www.thewildflowerhippie.com
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I celebrated leaving school when I was 16 in a big way, but when I left college at 18 I did not celebrate massively, neither did at when I finished uni. It makes a big difference if you actually like any of the people around you! Thank you for reading ♥
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It was so touching reading this Ellie I can’t lie. I also read your other Uni posts before commenting on this. I’m really sorry about the shit you had to go through. I can totally relate to you too. I moved flats midway through 1st year cos of similar flat/house dynamics. The flat I even moved to was literally above my old one so you can imagine it was super awkward everyday trying to avoid them hahaha! Your time at Uni can be frightening if you’re an introvert and you don’t get on with your flatmates and coursemates because they’re the first and main groups of people you meet and Uni’s suchban extrovert’s playground. In fact it’s made me more envious about Uni students who have raved to me about how lucky they were with their flatmates and that. But the main thing is that you did what you came to Uni to do (very well in fact), got to the chequered flag (see what I did there 😉) and celebrated it with loved ones and got a supportive boyfriend with you to share future experiences with. I guess you learnt a few things in terms of dealling with conflict and different personalities too so all in all it’s a race win!
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
https://johnnystraventures.com
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Thank you for your kind words Johnny and for reading my other posts ♥ 1st year can be super tough – the housing situation can make a break the experience for some people! Oh no, that must have been awks like especially during the never ending fire alarm evacuations! (? uni problems)… It was a lot to digest in terms of my course. I have never had an issue with being by myself but uni can be super stressful and it is made worse when the only other people that can completely relate (course mates) you’re not even friendly with. I sometimes wonder if I should have made more of an effort but then I never ponder it for long lol! Not only did I get to the flag but I made it on to the podium! x
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I love that you made your graduation special to you and that you didn’t feel forced to have the traditional graduation! I love the owl, my boyfriend got me a bear with a little cap and gown on and I love it! “Never be guilt tripped into something because you feel like you ‘should” very wise worlds that help me get through a lot of things, I have to remind myself a lot of the time though that if I don’t want to do it- don’t do it! I’m not in my year book either hehe but I did have the stereotypical graduation and that was what I wanted. Great post, lovely to read!! xx
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I love my little owl so much 🦉, he’s got more of a personality then those I went to uni with! It’s so important not to do things just for the sake of it. Life is too short. Thank you so much for reading ♥️
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