The Panther Newspaper: Why I'm choosing not to walk the line

Let’s play a little game of “Would You Rather?” If you had to choose, would you rather sit in the blazing sun wearing a long black robe while you impatiently wait for your name to be called so you can receive a meaningless piece of paper, or bask in that same sunshine while you tan on a beautiful black sand beach in Greece?

I would pick the second option too – and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing instead of walking in graduation May 21.

Don’t get me wrong, graduation is a celebration that every undergraduate looks forward to and strives to be a part of, including myself, but my last semester in college has been far from ordinary. When I decided to study abroad for my final term, I knew that I was going to have to choose between returning for the highly anticipated year-end event or having the freedom to travel around Europe without any time constraints. Although I wish I could admit that it was a difficult decision, I immediately knew that the best path for me was to leisurely explore the world at my own pace.

My main concern was disappointing my parents, who have been eager to welcome the day that they will no longer be paying for my tuition. I knew they would certainly want to commemorate the end of my college career by watching me be handed the degree that I’ve worked for so diligently or, at least, a representation of it. But when I hesitantly presented them with the idea, they had no problem saying that we could celebrate once I returned home at the end of my journey, which could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Although it could be argued that you only graduate from college once (as I don’t plan on pursuing any post-collegiate education), I honestly feel like I’ve been through it all before with high school and even middle school graduations. It’s the same ritual, but the participants are older, more stressed about what comes next and often a bit intoxicated. It seems that the only part of the experience that would be worthwhile would be the after parties, or pre games for that matter, but that isn’t really my scene and I have absolutely no complaints about never stepping foot inside The District.

As for the “meaningless piece of paper,” obviously a college degree is extremely important – much more than just a wall decoration to hang in your office (if you even have one) – but the circumstances under which I will obtain my degree are rare. I completed my credits at a foreign university where local students don’t expect to get their final marks until a few months after the term is over. I have no doubt that I passed my courses, but it would feel like I was celebrating prematurely if I were to walk the line with my classmates. Regardless of whether I returned for graduation or not, I most likely won’t see my degree or even know my final GPA until the end of summer.

So I guess this is goodbye. I must say thank you, to all those in the Chapman community who have helped shape my college experience – thank you for the amazing memories that I will always cherish, as well as the harsh lessons I’ve had to learn that allowed me to mature into the person I am today. But now, I’m following my own path and intend to do so with no regrets. Because that’s simply what life is all about.

Photo courtesy Pexels.