Livin' on a Prayer.

So I did it. I finally graduated. Yep, did that thing I thought I'd never do, especially after the numerous panic attacks, nausea and sleepless months that went by. During the last few months as a university student, I actually believed I'd never even pass, let alone graduate. The workload was intense and crazy, though looking back now, I loved every moment. There was the bickering with friends about various tutors, and the marks they gave us.. There was arguments about what coursework questions meant and how to approach them. There were days when I needed important journal articles but none of the printers would work, wherever I went. In the end, I had over 5,000 papers of journal articles arranged messily in a huge pile. It actually saddened me when I had to recycle everything in the last week of uni. In a weird way it felt like a part of me was being cleared out. It all felt so official, from the packing to the last shower in my bathroom to the last cup of coffee I had at my favourite cafe on campus. It was literally, closing a chapter.

The last few days at University were certainly hectic, emotional, confusing, happy and exciting. We had parties, bbq's, and just random night outs that were spontaneous. Even though most of us were busy in packing and tying up loose ends - such as returning library books that were overdue by at least a year to giving back the enormous amounts of stuff which I had somehow gained possession over in the three years, which belonged to friends - we found the time to see one another even if for an hour. The last night in particular was emotional yet relieving. A part of me felt like these three years needed to come to an end for me to use the skills and independence I learnt living away. Though I guess when the last song of the evening is "time of my life" from Dirty Dancing, its hard to control the waterworks.
Looking back now, it actually hasn't been that long since university ended though somehow I feel like I've been away for years. Sometimes I childishly believe that I'm going to be going back after the summer ends, as I've been so used to those thoughts these past few years. It's been a yearly routine. I mean, up until the day I graduated, I thought there may have been a slight chance of failing, therefore returning for another year :D Obviously I'm glad I graduated.

My graduation ceremony was gorgeous, beautiful, perfect and the happiest day of my life. From the moment I put on my black gown and hat, to the moment we threw our hats in the air.. I had this amazing feeling in my stomach the whole entire day. I felt so special, and so proud of my achievements. I could not believe that I had actually managed to get this far. I can't describe the level of happiness I felt looking at my mum and family and seeing their smiles, and their proud postures as they saw me walk down with my certificate (even though it only said "congratulations" - real certificate to release in November) and stand there amongst all my classmates and tutors, being the Psychology class of 2010, at Royal Holloway. Bloody amazing.

Alas, comes the end of another chapter in my life.. This one probably is the most heaviest, funniest, happiest and greatest one thus far. I look forward to the next, and approach its different nature with open arms.

Here is a song to sum up the three beautiful years I spent at Royal Holloway. Oh, and a picture.

Good bye Royal Holloway! = *** D