I Don't Know Where I'm Going
When it comes to directions, I'm the worst of the worst. I literally cannot get anywhere past 30 minutes (usually) without using my GPS on my iPhone. When it comes to life in general, this may sound even more terrible at my age, BUT... I don't know where I'm going.
You see, after 3 years of not being in school, and while working full-time, I decided to go back to school. The reason why? I never technically graduated. THERE. I SAID IT. When I transferred into Rowan University in the Fall of 2009, I was ready. Ready to be at a 4 year university, ready to pursue my dreams, ready to learn. I found out that I lost a whole year of credits, (they since have passed a law about how many credits universities have to take) but that did not stop me. As I started my classes, I began realizing I didn't like what I thought I did. So like many colleges students, I switched majors, and with that, lost a whole year of credits...again. Still, I would not be stopped. I loved learning about Public Relations, and growing as a professional. The next 3 years of classes and an internship with Rowan flew on by. I finally applied to graduate in the Spring of 2012. Classes were going well, I got my e-mail about getting my cap and gown, and pretty soon all my finals were turned in. I decorated my cap with one of my favorite Proverbs,
Proverbs 16:9 - The heart of a man plans his way, the Lord establishes his steps.
Graduation Day was beautiful. The sun was shining, my parents and my little sister and grandfather all came out to witness what we all have been waiting for for what seems like forever. I open the program, and there, under the College of Communication, under Public Relations, is my name: Andrea Michelle Paton. Joy filled my heart. There was so many emotions that day. I was anxious, nervous, excited, and ready to see what life had in store for me post-graduation. What life had in store, I had come to find out, was not my plan...but it was someone's.
About 6 months after graduation, I started seeing posts of all my friends getting their diplomas in the mail. After about a week or so of posts from my fellow graduates, I decided to give Rowan University a call. I only lived 10-15 minutes from campus. There must be some crazy reason why I did not receive my degree. Sure enough, there was. There was a "hold" on my account. It was a minor parking ticket from the good ol' Rowan Police. I paid it, and was told I'd have my special piece of paper in the mail within a week. After a week and a half of waiting, I called again. This time I was told the unthinkable. It wasn't because of a parking ticket that all this happened. I never (fully) graduated. Credit wise (because I was a transfer) I was okay, but class wise, somehow, I was short of 3 classes. Two of those classes were extracurriculars. LIKE WHAT?!
To say I was upset or frustrated was an understatement. How could this happen? How did I "fall through the cracks"? How did none of my advisers catch this?! There were apologies made, and a lot of prayer and forgiveness that happened. It didn't take back the fact that I was devastated. My parents did not help me with school. I paid for it with grants, loans, and my own hard-earned money. At this point, I couldn't jump right back into school. I couldn't afford to. So I decided to go full-time with my job, and pray and wait and save for the time I could finally go back and finish.
That moment finally happened this year. I was 26, an considered and independent. I was able to get a big grant, a small loan, and fork over some of my saved money to good ol' Rowan University in exchange for 3 classes that I needed. So here I am, back in school at now 27 years old. I'm finally finishing, and I am dang proud. It took me A LOT to get to this point. A lot of tears, a lot of prayer, and a lot of money. To say I'm ready to graduate (for real this time!) is an understatement. December 18, 2015 will be the day this chapter comes to a close. I will graduate with my Bachelor of Arts, and have a degree in Public Relations. The best Christmas present I could ever give myself.
It's weird to get the famous question "What are you going to do after you graduate?" and still not know. I have goals, hopes, and dreams. It is never too late in life to go after those. Ever, The truth is, I really don't know. I don't know what I'll be, I don't know what I'll do, and I don't know where I'm going. The Lord only knows. Like I put on my graduation cap, "The heart of a man plans his way, the Lord establishes his steps".
I'm excited to see what is yet to come, and for now, I'm just living life, one day at a time.
Blessed in the Mess,
Andee
You see, after 3 years of not being in school, and while working full-time, I decided to go back to school. The reason why? I never technically graduated. THERE. I SAID IT. When I transferred into Rowan University in the Fall of 2009, I was ready. Ready to be at a 4 year university, ready to pursue my dreams, ready to learn. I found out that I lost a whole year of credits, (they since have passed a law about how many credits universities have to take) but that did not stop me. As I started my classes, I began realizing I didn't like what I thought I did. So like many colleges students, I switched majors, and with that, lost a whole year of credits...again. Still, I would not be stopped. I loved learning about Public Relations, and growing as a professional. The next 3 years of classes and an internship with Rowan flew on by. I finally applied to graduate in the Spring of 2012. Classes were going well, I got my e-mail about getting my cap and gown, and pretty soon all my finals were turned in. I decorated my cap with one of my favorite Proverbs,
Proverbs 16:9 - The heart of a man plans his way, the Lord establishes his steps.
Graduation Day was beautiful. The sun was shining, my parents and my little sister and grandfather all came out to witness what we all have been waiting for for what seems like forever. I open the program, and there, under the College of Communication, under Public Relations, is my name: Andrea Michelle Paton. Joy filled my heart. There was so many emotions that day. I was anxious, nervous, excited, and ready to see what life had in store for me post-graduation. What life had in store, I had come to find out, was not my plan...but it was someone's.
About 6 months after graduation, I started seeing posts of all my friends getting their diplomas in the mail. After about a week or so of posts from my fellow graduates, I decided to give Rowan University a call. I only lived 10-15 minutes from campus. There must be some crazy reason why I did not receive my degree. Sure enough, there was. There was a "hold" on my account. It was a minor parking ticket from the good ol' Rowan Police. I paid it, and was told I'd have my special piece of paper in the mail within a week. After a week and a half of waiting, I called again. This time I was told the unthinkable. It wasn't because of a parking ticket that all this happened. I never (fully) graduated. Credit wise (because I was a transfer) I was okay, but class wise, somehow, I was short of 3 classes. Two of those classes were extracurriculars. LIKE WHAT?!
To say I was upset or frustrated was an understatement. How could this happen? How did I "fall through the cracks"? How did none of my advisers catch this?! There were apologies made, and a lot of prayer and forgiveness that happened. It didn't take back the fact that I was devastated. My parents did not help me with school. I paid for it with grants, loans, and my own hard-earned money. At this point, I couldn't jump right back into school. I couldn't afford to. So I decided to go full-time with my job, and pray and wait and save for the time I could finally go back and finish.
That moment finally happened this year. I was 26, an considered and independent. I was able to get a big grant, a small loan, and fork over some of my saved money to good ol' Rowan University in exchange for 3 classes that I needed. So here I am, back in school at now 27 years old. I'm finally finishing, and I am dang proud. It took me A LOT to get to this point. A lot of tears, a lot of prayer, and a lot of money. To say I'm ready to graduate (for real this time!) is an understatement. December 18, 2015 will be the day this chapter comes to a close. I will graduate with my Bachelor of Arts, and have a degree in Public Relations. The best Christmas present I could ever give myself.
It's weird to get the famous question "What are you going to do after you graduate?" and still not know. I have goals, hopes, and dreams. It is never too late in life to go after those. Ever, The truth is, I really don't know. I don't know what I'll be, I don't know what I'll do, and I don't know where I'm going. The Lord only knows. Like I put on my graduation cap, "The heart of a man plans his way, the Lord establishes his steps".
I'm excited to see what is yet to come, and for now, I'm just living life, one day at a time.
Blessed in the Mess,
Andee
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