On Friday, I had the absolute pleasure of graduating from university with a 2:1 in Communication and Media Studies. Never in a million years did I think I would be the first in my Family to get a degree, nor did I ever think I would actually walk across the formidable stage without falling over! But I did. I am officially a graduate.

As graduation day grew closer, I did begin to get nervous. As lovely as it was, to say the day was without stress would be a lie. I felt like I had so much to do in such a short space of time that the thought of the actual Ceremony was pushed to the back of my mind. I had an abundance of photographs to take, people to meet up with and paperwork to collect. Despite having a lot to do, I did manage to fit it all in. For those that are also a bit worried about the running of the day, here is how it went for me.

I started the day by registering and collecting my robes, before heading to my department to collect my marked copy of my dissertation. I then headed to two beautiful spots on campus for photographs with friends and family before the ceremony began. In the ceremony itself, I was one of the first to cross the stage and shake hands with Lord Sebastian Coe due to the alphabetised running of the ceremony. Afterwards, more family photographs were taken and we then headed to have the official photographs done with my certificate.

All in all, despite feeling like I was running around and chasing time all day, it went well!

It is now that I am back at home reflecting on the day that I realise that that may be the last time I see some of my closest friends for a very long time. The thing about University is that it feels like a completely different world to home. You are in this bubble of work and play, of all-nighters at desks and dance-floors, and all of a sudden three years have passed and its gone. I can’t put into words how much I will miss my University family.

Graduation for me was a very proud day. It is not often that I give myself credit for my achievements, but I am proud of what I have accomplished in the last three years. I am proud of who I have become and what I have overcome to get here.