Graduation

[lilmutegirl]

I am graduating from college (finally). There was a ceremony for my department last night, and the big university graduation is tomorrow. Throughout my college career, I have been aware of connections between other people, and my lack thereof. Last night, this was highlighted for me, since I saw small groups of people who clearly had known each other for years. I saw one guy from a class I had last semester, but I never spoke to him, and doubt he remembers me. Tomorrow, a group of "non-traditional" students is going to walk together--I may be vaguely aware of who some of the people are, so at least I will not feel TOO left out, but I wish that I had made more connections with people.
At my high school graduation, we all had gone to school together for at least 5 years, so I felt some sort of connection to my classmates...
In the long run, I'm sure it won't matter, but I fear I may have missed opportunities for lifelong friends and networking.

 

[Slytherin88]

I was similar, don't really have any friends made from university

 

[jaim38]

Same here. I switched schools a lot so didn't really know anybody when I graduated. It's OK, people think college is where you make lifelong friends but I beg to differ. I made most of my friends in high school and elementary. By the way, congrats! Graduating from college is already a huge achievement in itself. Take it with pride and don't look back.

 

[Diend]

You have us

 

[Hoppy]

Congratulations on graduating!

 

[EntenEller]

Similar for me. I started at one school, received my Associate's, and then transferred to finish my B.A. I have my last course for that this summer, and then I graduate.

During my years at the schools, I've definitely met people, but they've ended up being acquaintances. If I see them around, they say hello, and some have added me on Facebook, but I haven't made any particularly strong connections, so there's definitely a feeling of "missing" that idea of lifelong friends in college.

The newer friends I've made have been outside of school--one of my closer friends I met last year was at a show we were both playing. That's about it, really.

The majority of my professors know me, and some know me from department awards/honors and things like that, but that's about it, truthfully. Nothing particularly long-lasting.

Also, congratulations on graduating! Or should I say congrads?

 

[Lilly789]

Networks and good relationships certainly make things easier. But not having them doesn't mean you wont achieve or wont be able to get where you want to be.

I didn't go to my high school graduation (hated everyone), OR my university graduation (expensive and pointless).

I have no friends left from High school (dumped them) OR university (I just didn't keep in contact).

You'll live

 

[Lorn]

I understand the feeling, especially since I've seen it all around me on campus and in the workplace. Not the last opportunity to meet people and make connections, however dreamy it may seem.

Career-wise, I'm not quite sure what I'll do for networking. A family member slipped me from pamphlets from a geek gathering further in the city that includes writers, techies, artists, and more, so that would be a starting point. There's always options.

 

[Richey]

You can still make friends with the more placid and nerdy, music fan types etc...

Every class has the traditional cliquey group, usually outgoing personalities ...

But you have the power to start your own group of friends, even if it's 2-3 people.

 

[EntenEller]

Networks and good relationships certainly make things easier. But not having them doesn't mean you wont achieve or wont be able to get where you want to be.

I didn't go to my high school graduation (hated everyone), OR my university graduation (expensive and pointless).

I have no friends left from High school (dumped them) OR university (I just didn't keep in contact).

You'll live

Same here. I did go to my high school graduation to make my parents happy, but I didn't go to my graduation when I received my Associate's Degree, and I'm not going now as I'm receiving my Bachelor's. Too much money I don't have, plus I just don't see the point. :applause:

 

[lilmutegirl]

And...I knew it was too good to be true/too easy...I was not worried about one of my classes (based on points, I should easily have at least a B-, not counting the last paper). I was a little disappointed, but not overly concerned. I did, and emailed, the final paper to my instructor...Grades were posted today. I have an incomplete. I guess that paper didn't count? I don't even care if I get the points, just give me my damn B- so I can move on with my life...now I have to contact the instructor and deal with it somehow...which makes me anxious, of course...at least it can change from an I to B-(or whatever), but it could delay my receiving my actual diploma, will make me nervous till I do, makes me feel like avoiding anyone questioning my degree completion, etc...

 

[EntenEller]

And...I knew it was too good to be true/too easy...I was not worried about one of my classes (based on points, I should easily have at least a B-, not counting the last paper). I was a little disappointed, but not overly concerned. I did, and emailed, the final paper to my instructor...Grades were posted today. I have an incomplete. I guess that paper didn't count? I don't even care if I get the points, just give me my damn B- so I can move on with my life...now I have to contact the instructor and deal with it somehow...which makes me anxious, of course...at least it can change from an I to B-(or whatever), but it could delay my receiving my actual diploma, will make me nervous till I do, makes me feel like avoiding anyone questioning my degree completion, etc...

The paper wasn't received, it seems? If you can e-mail the professor and talk with him, they can usually resolve that, especially if you have the sent e-mail in your outbox to prove it.

 

[andsorry]

Congratulation on making it. I have made zero friend at the 3 colleges I have attended. There's grad school, work and the occasional social gathering where you can make new friends.

 

[lilmutegirl]

The paper wasn't received, it seems? If you can e-mail the professor and talk with him, they can usually resolve that, especially if you have the sent e-mail in your outbox to prove it.

The paper apparently was received, but has yet to be graded. Frankly, I am fine with getting credit for turning it in, but not receiving any points for it, as I would still pass the class, if that would resolve the issue more quickly. I emailed the instructor and teaching assistant on Friday when I saw that I had received an incomplete. The notice I received has a deadline of May 26, 2015 (I failed to look at the year, and thought it would be resolved yesterday). I am thinking of emailing them again and explaining that I need this to be taken care of, as this is the only class left I need to graduate this semester. I will be devastated if this delays me getting my degree.

 

[Badbuz]

screw that you should def email them again so that you can put your mind at ease, otherwise its just going to wreck your head.

 

[fate12321]

Congrats on graduating! Same thing happened to me on my high school graduation. I mostly made friends with the upperclassmen in my class and hardly knew anybody from my own class. I felt kinda left out. Don't worry about it you can still make friends in your work place.

 

[lilmutegirl]

It keeps getting better! (Sarcasm, in case it's not obvious) I emailed the instructor and teaching assistant Friday and yesterday regarding the incomplete status, asking what I could do to fix it. Today, I received an email stating that I was being charged with academic misconduct (plagiarism). I guess I did not cite something correctly (I am going over the paper now). If so, it was completely on accident, and the only reason I turned the paper in was to fulfill the 4 paper requirement for the course...
I am extraordinarily on edge, and want this resolved, but am afraid to deal with it. I don't think they would put this against me if they did not have sufficient reason to do so, which makes me think I don't have much of a case.
Since this is the only class I have left to finish in order to complete my degree, I will be devastated if it is not resolved in my favor. I feel like a failure and fraud to all the people who have congratulated me. I had hoped that I could FINALLY be happy and move on, but it looks like this is going to be dragged out (at least to some degree).