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SilverAleki · Dec 4, 2018 12:08 AM

I have finally done it.

It only took 7 years haha but tomorrow is officially my graduation day from University! I am graduating with a degree I started when I was 19. I'm now 26. I couldn't afford to go to University full time without working so when I originally started my degree I was working full time at an eventing stable and doing my degree part time. I soon realised trying to work full time and do a full uni degree via distance education was a very difficult thing to do. I came very close to quitting more than once. A job change to a stable that only required me to work half days was my saving grace. I packed up all my things, moved to the middle of nowhere and started work there. I worked for the first half of the day, studied in the evenings and used my day off to do assignments. Then I got sick.

I won't go into any depressing details haha but I became to sick to live and work where I was which was to far from the specialists I needed. I had to quit my job and move back home. I continued to complete my degree via distance education- but this was the year I failed a course for the first time. I was pretty devastated. It was def not my best year. But things got better. I got a part-time job closer to home. I had to take two more breaks from university due to illness and pick up again once I was better.

I completed my last exam a few months ago and received note I'd achieved my degree very recently. My graduation is now tomorrow.

My special note to you all is something I wish I understood better when I was a bit younger haha. You have your own timeline. Just because your friends are graduating uni sooner, getting married sooner, having a family sooner, starting their dream job sooner does not mean you have to. You have your own path, your own time line and goals, your own life to lead that should not be judged based on when and how those around you did things. I am by no means the most dedicated person in the world, there were days I procrastinated hard over doing any uni work at all lol but if I can do it, anyone here can do it to. So if there is something you are contemplating doing in your life, be daring and do it. Even if it takes you a little longer ;)

My very favourite rank special is Kings Ransom. I was thrilled when it came out as the special herd helper for the day, I honestly couldn't believe it, it was like a graduation present haha! I breed for pearl so he is a beautiful surprise who will get a lot of use in my barns and hopefully give me a few pearl carrying babies haha. He was a wonderful reminder for me off how I felt about finally finishing University. Thank you for him Ammit! I hope everyone else here has success in whatever they are trying to achieve right now, no matter how big or small :D

SA State Your Crown

TrueBlueHorses · Dec 4, 2018 12:45 AM

Thanks for that advice @SilverAleki, I know exactly how it feels as I am juggling a part time job, being a single dad, and studying full time at uni to be a Vet, all at the ripe old age of 20.

I've come to realise now, to take things slowly and not to rush everything in my life, and really wish someone told me I have my own timeline to follow a few years ago. But at the same time I don't think my gorgeous little boy would have been born :D

So let me be the first to congratulate you on starting the new chapter in your life, and as a graduation present I will send you an egg from my favourite mare atm (A Rhythm of Four):

TBH Kookaburra Sits KP

SilverAleki · Dec 4, 2018 3:53 AM

@TrueBlueHorses thank you! I wish you all the very best with your studies, you can do it! I'm sure your little boy will be very proud of what you achieved knowing how hard you worked one day when he is old enough to fully understand. Good luck!

And thank you so much for such a generous offer! I am unfortunately only a basic account so I can't use eggs (best thought I let you know so you don't spend any hb's pulling any haha) but thank you so much for the offer. She is a fabulous mare! I love that Sabino- and her name too :D

FallenShadows714 · Dec 4, 2018 5:20 AM

First of all, congratulations on your graduation later today! That is a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud for sticking it out through what sounds like a very rough time. Your story, and especially your message about having your own timeline, rings very true to me, except not with friends but with my own family. I’m the oldest of 3 kids, and without going into all the gory details when it came to school I was and still am the black sheep. I’m fairly smart, just can’t be bothered by tests and projects that I felt didn’t have anything to do with learning. Example, why on earth would I want to write a paper about Shakespeare if I’m not going to be an English major? Just because this is a required core class doesn’t mean I want anything to do with it. So while I dropped out, my brother and sister went on to graduate and get good jobs. Enter my mother....yeah, I’m sure you can imagine all the colorful arguments we had over my failings as the oldest.

But instead I fell in love, and have supported someone else through probably one of the hardest things someone would have to go through, losing their kids through no fault of their own and having to fight to get them back. Am I happy? For the most part. Do I feel like I could be doing more? Sure, but right now I’m right where I need to be. Maybe in a year when things settle down I will return to school. If it’s meant to happen, it will happen in its own good time.

So congrats to you @SilverAleki, and congrats on your shining reminder of everything you have accomplished to get here.

SquishLime · Dec 4, 2018 7:05 AM

Congratulations on your graduation! What degree did you do, was it Equine Science or something similar? I studied Applied Science majoring in Animal Production and also felt like I would never complete it.
What tripped me up was getting the relevant work experience as I’m quite reluctant to put myself out there and talk to people I don’t know. It took me years after finishing my studies before I finally got the necessary 30 days completed but even when something feels impossible, you get there in the end!
It seems we’re the same age, and goodness knows I needed that reminder that not everyone has to do things by a certain time. I’m currently working in a job I don’t love, that has nothing to do with my university studies, barely getting by. Meanwhile all the people I went to school with are getting married, raising kids, buying houses and being successful. It’s a lot of pressure but I suppose in the grand scheme of things we aren’t really that old yet! Here’s hoping that what they say is true about good things coming to those who wait... Good luck finding your dream job after graduating, and I hope your health is improving as well :)

JustaSaddletramp · Dec 4, 2018 8:21 AM

Congratulations, @SilverAleki! You can do anything if you never give up! :)

SilverAleki · Dec 4, 2018 11:52 AM

@FallenShadows714 thank you for sharing! It sounds like you did things a little bit like me and took a different path in your life then what your parents expected from you haha- but it also sounds like your path led you somewhere pretty great and that person you helped when they needed it most is probably grateful every day you were there. At that time in your life it seems like you were right where you were supposed to be. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do, whether it is school or something else entirely! The choice is always your own ^^

@SquishLime Yes it was Equine Science ^^ I understand exactly how you feel on so many levels haha. I even have trouble phoning people to make appointments Im so shy! So I more then understand this struggle. I also know exactly what its like to watch others around you get married or have kids or buy first houses etc. It took me a long time to realise that just because its the right time for them to do those things does not mean its the right time for me, or for you. Some of the most successful people in the world never started in the jobs that would lead them there until their 30s, 40s or even older. Everyone is different and your time line is your own and no one else's. It seems there is a few of us here who did things a bit differently so your not alone! I hope you find a job that makes you happy, it will all work out one day :)

@JustaSaddletramp so very true and thank you so much :D

TrueBlueHorses · Dec 4, 2018 12:10 PM

@SilverAleki, thank you for your kind words :).

No worries about not being able to use eggs, I'll gift you one of her foals instead :D

High Five Acres · Dec 4, 2018 12:41 PM

Congrats! I put a few graduation gifts up for you in buddy chat. :)

DejaRea · Dec 4, 2018 2:31 PM

@Silveraleki, add me to your chat, I have a gift for you. Congratulations!

RunFarAway · Dec 4, 2018 3:28 PM

Congratulations!

Much like you I have spent the better part of the last 8 and a half years in higher education. I thought it might never end! Every time it seemed like I had finally gotten all of the education and degrees I needed to get a full time position in my field, I would take another step requiring me to take more classes. So at 26 and only a few months from turning 27, I finally do have a full time job! And a B.S. and a Masters and a half to go along with it. I now feel like my adult life is finally getting started after years of education and part time jobs and internships.

Everyone does have their own path to walk, and that's what makes us human and interesting.

Also check the DP chat for a little something ;)

SilverAleki · Dec 4, 2018 7:52 PM

@TrueBlueHorses I def did not expect any gifts from anyone haha, that is so generous of you, thank you so much! I can’t wait to see what she produces :D

@HighFiveAcres oh my goodness! These were so gorgeous, I’m blown away, you guys are making me all emotional with your generosity haha! Thank you so very much, I promise to take care of them! :D

@DejaRae thank you! I am only a basic account unfortunately so I don’t have my own chat though I’m a member of quite a lot of other ones if any of them suit :D

@RunFarAway congratulations on achieving so much! You should be so proud. I wish you all the best in your full time job, you more then earned it. Thank you so much for the beautiful gift, she is gorgeous! That’s so generous of you. :D

You have all been so kind, I’m blown away haha! Thank you all so much. My pearl herd has never looked so wonderful as it does now :x

DejaRea · Dec 5, 2018 1:53 AM

@Silveraleki, I'm slipping blackwyld a note now. Watch their chat.

best friend · Dec 5, 2018 4:30 AM

Congrats

SilverAleki · Dec 5, 2018 6:55 AM

@DejaRea I just picked her up now, I don’t even have the words to thank you enough for such a generous, wonderful gift, she is gorgeous and will be very much treasured. Thank you so much :x

@bestfriend thank you!

TrueBlueHorses · Dec 5, 2018 9:30 AM

@SilverAleki, I'll send her foal to you next year, as I'm waiting out for the daily roving gene sales to add to her unique collection of genetics for an AROF horse :D

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