I remember my graduation day, it was on the May 30th 2015 and my university was crowded with people in black robes with different coloured collars that indicated the different courses the graduate took. It was suppose to be a happy day, and though I looked happy in the photo above – What I really felt was emptiness.
Perhaps my coursemates had a clearer vision and already knew what they wanted. But for me, the degree programme I took was just not what I expected.
Don’t get me wrong, I will forever be grateful for the knowledge, friends and lecturers I have throughout my degree programme. But if I could turn back time to my graduation day, I would grab that scroll I was holding and knock myself in the head. Then I would turn back time somemore to take a different degree course.
I went on to complete that degree anyway and present day – I currently do not have the education qualifications to do certain things I want to do in my career.
No, I’m not the best person to give advice, but if I had any advice to give at all, I would advise budding students to choose a course that will not limit them. But pick one that would rather, challenge and also push themselves to do their best in their education.
I’ve learned the hard way that being over-qualified is always better than under-qualified.
If you are between the age 17-21, know that it is the phase of experimenting and discovery, therefore the things you may think you want now can be very different 1 or 2 years down the road. What more 4 years down the road, after your foundation and degree.
Even if you are like me and already graduated, there are always ways to educate yourself. But if that is not enough, you can pursue your masters or a higher education, or heck – Even pursue another degree that is completely different.
Fret not, there is always hope..
Mark Twain once said – “I will never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
It is safe to say, that education does not only come from schools. Ultimately what we choose to learn and practice in our life is entirely up to us. Your school education does not ultimately define you, but your determination does.
Sure, picking the right degree programme would have given me a head start but it is never too late to learn something new.
Someone special once told me – Education will stop at some point of our lives, but learning should continue.
I think he is right.
Side note : At 24, I finally garnered enough courage to pursue my second degree on the weekends while still working full-time next year!
