Singin’ The Graduation Blues

May 17, 2010 4:00 pm     Posted in Reality  Megan- Penn State g+ page

Four years ago, I started the crazy journey that is college. Though it doesn’t seem like four years ago; the entire experience flew by. It felt like just yesterday that I stepped foot onto Penn State’s main campus and now I’m packing up my apartment and heading off into some crazy unknown direction, also known as the casa de mama and papa.


By Megan

Sitting at our graduation, I remember thinking, ‘how is this end?’ It just doesn’t feel real. I’m still waiting to wake up in my old dorm room, 4 years ago.  I feel like I should still be attending classes, where I stopped going to learn the material, but more to hang out with the friends I’ve developed along the way.  I feel like I should still be partying it up with my crazy friends who have made this one of the best experiences ever. I will never forget all our numerous inside jokes, and to be honest, I am petrified of a life without them.  I know graduation changes friendships and it sucks.

College has been a great time and I’m by no means ready to say goodbye, or even see ya later.

I guess what I’m trying to get at is I’m not all that excited about having graduated. Yes, it’s exciting to have accomplished a major milestone, but it’s also a big life change that scares the living crap out of me.  And to be honest, graduating didn’t help me in my book of life.  Young freshman me thought by this time I would have such a clear understanding of “who I am.” And although it’s challenged me, at times I feel like I’ve only learned little tiny bits (like I actually do like wings, I’m a terrible beer drinker but awesome pong player…), if anything.

Perhaps it’s my jobless future, perhaps it’s that I’m saying goodbye to a second family, perhaps it’s because I’m saying goodbye to a school full of pride and traditions, but, well, I’m just not ready to say goodbye.

So freshmen, sophomores, juniors and next year’s seniors, I ask you (instead of lecturing you on life rules, that you won’t understand until you’re a graduate) to make the most of your college experience because IT WILL FLY BY, and it’s not fun saying goodbye.

And to my fellow Grads: Congrats, but I mean is anyone else just not all that excited about having graduated? Am I alone in this paralyzing fear? This gray, dreary place?

And to my liver: thanks for sticking with me for the past four years. Don’t worry – now that I’m staying with the parentals, you’ll get a much-needed vacay.

8 Comments on "Singin’ The Graduation Blues"

  1. meli says:
    Tue, 18th May 201012:46 am 

    Going through this right now and feel like I have to hide it from everyone I know! Reading similar feelings is somewhat cathartic though :) Be hopeful. Make some new goals and go for it! Um, I think . . .

  2. mike the bike says:
    Tue, 18th May 20103:31 am 

    Have no fear Megan. In no time at all you will be in a job you hate grappling with the meaninglessness of being a cog in the machine. You'll wake up one morning,realize you are 47 (it will seem like it happened over night)and wonder how twenty five years got behind you so quickly. Your husband, if you ever obtain one, and if he's still around, will be lost in a mid-life crisis and secretly will view you as a millstone. Your kids will find you tedious, again, if you have any. You will have a lot more money and things, but they won't make you happy and the debt you're servicing to keep all the crap will keep you up nights with panic attacks. So enjoy your graduation and bask in the knowledge that you just finished the best years of your life. Cheers.

  3. Megan says:
    Tue, 18th May 20109:08 am 

    Wow, I think I could have written this. Especially the part about waiting to wake up in my old dorm room. I graduate this Saturday and I am NOT ready for it at all. I'm kind of in the same boat as you – stuck having to move back in with my parents because I still haven't found a job. And all of my friends are either still in school here or are living in another city. I pictured my college graduation to be just as exciting as my high school graduation.. but, I'm dreading it in a way.

  4. Megan- Penn State says:
    Tue, 18th May 20105:50 pm 

    Megan and Meli-

    I love that you guys can relate to how I'm feeling. When I started writing this, I pondered if I was the only person, who had such strong negative feelings about college graduation. Meg I'm in the same situation as you, everything has changed so drastically, and it just wasn't a change I was prepared for. That is what kind of stinks about college graduation, its like for the first time in our lives, we don't have a solid next step. But Meli- is so right- about being optimistic and hopeful, any other attitude isn't going to get you anywhere. It just sucks that this is such a HARD change. I wish you both the best of luck!

  5. caitlin says:
    Tue, 18th May 20109:25 pm 

    I feel this way and college wasn't even the 'time of my life' I graduated last Saturday and I feel an overwhelming anxiety about jobs, friends, and housing. I've been back home for a week and I already miss my apartment with my roommate, with my own space. Not to mention there's no jobs anywhere!

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