Dreamer

Oh, hello dreamers, and how are you? Tonight I want to share some thoughts with you, especially with the ones at the end of the chapters, school chapters I mean.

This morning when I woke up, my Instagram archive showed me something really interesting: it’s been a year since I got my master’s degree. Also, at work, I am full of new graduates, some that are saying goodbyes to us, some that are starting a new chapter of their lives with us. 

Even with Gilmore Girls, I got to the graduation episode. So, it brings back a lot of memories from the years that passes, and from last year.

I remember very vividly that my question to myself was: “Now, what? What’s next?” It’s not like not having a job and not knowing where to go next. I had a job, and I had experience in it already, but what was mandatory for my education was accomplished. I just finished 22 years of school (check the story if you are curious). 

I know that I had many feelings regarding the presentation, not really good ones, but now it all passed. A lot of things changed from last year. I changed a lot. My grandma died, the one that encouraged me with everything. I know she’s proud of where I am, but boy, I wish she was here. I remember that being raised only by my mom, with the help of my sister and maternal grandparents, was hard. They wanted me to succeed in life, and I wanted them to see how I do. Due to Covid, my class didn’t have a graduation moment, so, last year, I walked by myself, and with a friend, down the stairs, took some photos, and had our own graduation. It meant a lot. After that, I just got back to work. 

Now, after grading my students and making a lot of statistic spreadsheets, I came home to my cat and got a moment of thinking. I answered myself on the short run on the question “Now, what?”. I started my Ph.D., I continued with my job. I struggle with personal stuff. I have plans for the future. But I also want to share with you, students at the end of the road, some of my thoughts and experiences. I’m not wiser, but I’ve already been there. So, here they are. Whether you finish high school, college, master’s, or quitting a job, here are my 10 pieces of advice for you:

1. It’s a cliche, but a finish line it’s also a starting point. New opportunities are coming.
2. Enjoy this moment, of triumph. It’s never going to happen again. You’ve done it, you’ve graduated. Be proud of yourself.
3. No matter what’s your next step, make sure it’s YOURS only. Not your family, spouse, or friends. 
4. You could’ve done better, you could’ve done worse. You can’t change it. Embrace it and learn from mistakes.
5. Grades do matter. They might not fully reflect the level of knowledge, yet they aren’t pretty far. They also can assure you scholarships, which is good money, for, IDK, learning what you need to learn.
6. Every experience has its time. Do it when it’s the right time.
7. Some doors are closed because you knocked at a bad time. It will open at the perfect time. Some are closed because they are not right for you. Don’t be disappointed. 
8. Don’t take the things said by teachers too personally. The system is broken, and the teachers are humans too.
9. The most important lessons are not in the books. Are in the experiences.
10. The scholar system, whether it’s college or High school, creates a special environment for you to create connections, experiment, evolve and learn and make friends but stupid things. It allows you to be wrong. Enjoy it!

In the end, every new day is a new challenge and a new opportunity. I know it’s scary, but it’s sametime so special and no special at all this moment!

Have #adreamerlife,

Cristiana Apreutese