Graduation

Hey Guys,
I am graduating on Thursday with a masters degree, and I have a well of emotions. I am so grateful for the opportunity to finally obtain this degree, but at the same time, I am feeling very sad. I am sure a lot of you have gone through the process, and probably felt the same way as graduation got closer and reality sinks in.

Deep in me I really don't want to sit in the ceremony because I know it will be very sad to see most people graduating who are looking forward to getting jobs and seeing their lives moving forward. In the meantime, it seems like my life has been in "Stand By" mode for quite a while. I am actively pursuing a way to find a company who would take a chance on me, and give me the opportunity to work as an independent contractor. I don't want to feel sorry for myself ; even though I don't have the right to drive or work, I am still more fortunate than a lot of other people. God blessed me with a good brain, heart, and with a spirit that has a hunger to be something in life; however, he (God) also gave me a sensitive heart that can't look the other way when I find myself faced with my reality.

How do you cope when you experienced these feelings on graduations?

congrats. and nice going with the independent contractor. your story was inspirational until you got to the god part.

anyways, what MS are u graduating with?

First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your MASTERS degree. You have gone a step ahead than most of us here who are still working/graduated from a bachelors degree. Personally, my graduation was a week after December 2010's vote so I was shattered during the ceremony. But I was happy and proud of myself as well. Things like that happen. Hopefully a bill will pass in coming months. Just in time for your graduation. Good luck!

Commencement is a wonderful experience. You have to attend and enjoy it. Everything will be fine.

My graduation was on Saturday, and I enjoyed it to the fullest.

Here is a summary of my feelings:

The night after my HS graduation, when reality hit me that I wasn't going to go to college, I pretty much had a panic attack like at 3 am and was balled up and crying like a baby. This was in the early-mid 90's so NOBODY knew about Dreamers and CIR wasn't even spoken of. Also, I was in the mid-west. I felt like I was completely alone in the world and nobody except for family knew my pain. I would have happily ended my life then but I knew my family depended on me and had enough pains.

Later I found a way to go to college in a different state 3 years later when I decided to go for it and take the risk. After my first semester was done, I was driving back home was start to have the same feeling I had, but then reminded myself that this was just the beginning and I will be back.

After graduating with my bachelor's, I felt good. But unfortunately, it was in December of 2001 following the you know what attacks by the you know whos. Also, it was the end of the .com bubble and Y2k so job sponsorship was out of a question and my lawyer told me to lay low and don't even think about rocking the boat.

So, thinking surely in 4 years there will be CIR! So I got a master's degree to pass the time. By then money was a big issue and honestly, after graduation, I was done and felt done. I figured I'd just pressure my future kids into being doctors like all other immigrants.
Honestly, I felt proud afterwards. No suicidal thoughts, no nothing. Went to a Christmas party afterwards and life went on.

Our differences aside, how have you managed to keep yourself so patient? With your degrees, I would have left the country already.

Congrats!

Thanks for sharing your story, it keep some us inspired to continue rolling with the punches. The Universe has something very special for you, but it is in his perfect timing.

My masters is in logistics.

Lol it's easy when I have nowhere else to go! My home country is completely out of the question. I suppose Canada might have been an option at some point but that would probably kill my mother. Maybe I'm just stubborn.