Earning my university degree was a long and somewhat arduous journey. But I was never too concerned with the destination. Actually having a degree was never, and still isn't, all that important to me.
That's why I never bothered to attend my own convocation. That, and the fact it just didn't appeal to me to sit through a few hours of watching hundreds of people who I've never met get their degrees.
So I had my degree mailed to me. When it arrived, I took a look at it, breathed an appreciative "Nice" and put it away in a box or something. I don't exactly recall where now, but I'm sure it's around somewhere. I should be safe as long as the Degree Inspector doesn't come around.
The other day, though, I finally attended a convocation ceremony at my alma mater, the University of Alberta. One of my room mates just graduated from the Faculty of Education and had asked me to come to his graduation. He broached the subject by asking me what I was doing the next day, and I said, "Nothing!" I had no way out when he invited me to his convocation; I had no choice but to say yes.
The first part wasn't so bad. Lots of ceremony and decorum and all that. There were university and provincial government officials presiding, and an orchestra to play Pomp and Circumstance and O Canada.
Even the speeches weren't terrible. An honorary degree was given to a former Chief of Police, and he gave a stirring speech, charging the new teachers to spend time making a difference in their future students' lives, informing them that this would help to prevent crime and would lead to a better society. I was so inspired that I determined to go out and teach to the best of my ability and do my part to change the world for the better. Then I remembered that I don't have an education degree and could go to jail for teaching without a license. Oh well.
I began to think that this convocation business wasn't so bad after all. But then the Presentation of Graduates part started. Over 670 names were read, and all but one of those names belonged to a total stranger. Each total stranger strode proudly across the stage, shook hands with the various dignitaries, and then proceeded off the stage and out of my life forever.
My room mate's last name begins with 'B', so his moment of glory was over and done with very early on. I was forced to play little word games with the last names of all the graduates to keep myself awake.
Here's an interesting statistical anomaly for you -- did you know that in the entire Class of 2003 of the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, there is not one single person with a last name that begins with 'Q'? It's true, and I was quite happy about this quirk as it meant one less letter to sit through.
All in all, the ceremony took three and a half hours. I was very grateful for the padded seats. For enduring this ordeal with patience that can only be described as saintly, I was rewarded with a very classy dinner when Room Mate's parents took us out afterwards.
Some of you reading this are just now graduating yourselves. Let me say to you congratulations! You worked hard, and you did it. Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. Make the most of it.
Others of you are just starting out, and four (or, in my case, six) years seems like an eternity. To you, I say don't worry about it; you'll get there before you know it. The day will come when you too will finally be able to attend your convocation. Or skip it, if you so choose. It's up to you. But for the next few years you might as well enjoy the ride.
Regardless of where you are, keep in mind that the end result isn't as important as the process of getting there. Sure, you might not be able to get the job you want until you have that piece of sheepskin, but until you have gone through the growth process of attaining that sheepskin, you won't truly be qualified for it anyway.
Your university years aren't just about acquiring knowledge, although that's certainly important, they are also about learning life disciplines and skills (blargh!) and making lifelong friends and having adventures (yay!).
After reading this, you might think I am not all that proud of my degree. Sure I am, but it's not like I go around signing my name Nathan Waddell, B.Sc. Although if I had a PhD I for sure would.
What I'm really proud of, though, is the person I became while I was a student. And you will be too, once you get to know me. Just kidding -- of course I mean that you will be proud of the person you will become while at university or college. So have fun.
Nathan Waddell has no special qualifications to be an iamnext writer. Sure, he has a BSc, but really . . . However, Nathan has traveled extensively, in Asia and Europe, and has hitch-hiked across Canada, and he has learned a few things along the way. Just enough things to know he still has a lot of learning still to do. Copyright iamnext.com 2003. May not be used without permission.
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