There’s a light at the end of the tunnel–the tunnel of endless hours pouring over assignments with either too many instructions or hardly any at all, mentally bleeding over all of my creative writing projects, hacking away at Shakespeare essays, pondering the necessity of Literary Theory and participating in boring, online class discussions where everyone has the same kind of thought but you have to say it differently so you don’t trigger the plagiarism mechanics.
WELL, none of that matters anymore (the Literary Theory of Psychoanalytic Criticism never did for me anyway), for I have finally reached the end of that miserable tunnel and have reached the light that awaited me for so long: As of May 14th, 2022, I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor’s of Creative Writing & English!
I began my university journey after attending Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, where instead of attending 2nd year, I felt like God wanted me to get a degree. After two years of studying, I took a year-long break traveling Japan and Korea, then living in Canada, and really discovered so much more of who I am and what I want out of life. It was one of the best decisions I ever made–taking a break between school!
Then I was able to complete my degree while the world was in chaos from COVID (otherwise, I may not have ever finished because traveling is awesome.) I’m thankful that I did, because now that I have a degree, I can travel and get paid to do it (more on that later.)
And now, I want to reflect on some post-graduate Q&A’s for fun:
What’s something that you loved doing as a kid that you still love doing as an adult?
I’d say drinking from front yard sprinklers, but I definitely don’t do that now. Good times, though.
What are you most looking forward to reading, watching, or doing this summer?
I hope I can make my annual trip to Canada and have bonfires there, go kayaking, and play spikeball with my friends and family!
If you had a YouTube channel, what would be your YouTube personality or the focus of your channel?
I would read my own stories with background music and sound effects, so I can make my readers feel immersed in wonder and magic that’s come straight out of my imagination!
What was the best class you took in college, and why?
All of my creative writing classes (there were 3 of them, all of which focused on fiction), were my favorite. They taught me how to receive criticism well and how to use it to make my work better, and taught me all the necessities every author should know about publishing books. The classes also forced me to write again, and with it came new ideas and practices to help me when I write books seriously in the future!
What are you most proud of in the last year or two?
In my third and final creative writing class, I took the culmination of two years’ worth of writing one story and turned it into a 30-page senior thesis–which was the beginning of a novel for a series of books. I’m very proud to have created a story that had little meaning to me at first, but now marks a significant beginning to my future of writing books.
What goal have you achieved that felt really far away your first year in college?
Every college graduate would say “My diploma.” But it’s more than that! My diploma is a key into doors of opportunity I can now unlock all over the world. With it, I can teach English, travel, and meet new people. My goal is right in front of my nose. I’m nervous and excited to step through my first, unlocked door!
What album, book, or movie has shaped who you are as a person?
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis has definitely influenced me, especially my understanding of God. Lewis wasn’t afraid to put God right in the middle of a fiction novel and still portray Him with such profound beauty. That is, after all, the very reason Lewis did it: “…that by knowing [Aslan in Narnia] for a little, you may know [Jesus] better [on Earth]” (The Chronicles of Narnia).
How have you surprised yourself while in college?
I didn’t know I had the mental tenacity to complete my bachelor’s degree sitting in my room on my laptop for two years straight. That…is a big surprise for an adventurer, I’ll tell ya that much.
What will you do next now that you’ve graduated?
I hope to teach English in South Korea soon, and though you may have many questions for me about that, I don’t have all the answers yet. But I will soon, so be sure to sign up for my newsletters below so you’ll stay notified when I do have awesome things to share with you 🙂
Here’s to the beginning of the greatest adventures of my life! And you are coming with me, any which way you can.
Signed,
Allison the Adventurer
