I AM A GRADUATE!!!!!

Today, I graduated with a 2:1. I am officially allowed to put "BSc Psychology (Hons.) Upper Second Class" on my CV. I am a fairly employable individual, and believe me, no-one is more surprised than I am. The last four years have been somewhat up and down. There have been many times where I've questioned why my coursework was so easy, and why I was re-learning things I was taught at school, and there have been an equal number of times where I've thought "I just can't do this, it's too hard". For every down, there has been an up, for every friend I've been forced to relinquish to the past, a new one has appeared in my life. Every interaction has taught me more about myself than I would sometimes care to admit, but now is the time for me to say thank you.

First of all, to my parents: I would not be where I am, or who I am without your influence and support. When I've been utterly broken, your love and encouragement have been the glue that have put me back together again. I can't properly express how grateful I am for what you've sacrificed to give me the opportunities that you have, and I truly hope that one day, I will be able to return the favour, one way or another.

Secondly, to my closest friends: I can't thank you enough for putting up with my whining, complaining, ranting and general awfulness for the last four years. Some of you, I have known for almost half of my life, some, less than a year. Whether I have known you since childhood, from fresher's week, or from this year, you have shown me strength within myself that I didn't know was there. You've given me the courage to overcome obstacles that I was too weak and frightened to face alone and a big part of me walking across that stage today was down to you. Emily, Becky, Rachael, Clo, Audrey and Georgie in particular, I truly would not have been able to do this without you, whether you realise it or not.

Thirdly, to my family in general: whether or not I have openly complained at you, or whether you've provided me with an encouraging word or guiding thought, you have formed the foundation of a support system which has brought me through the four most tumultuous and downright confusing years of my life. I can't thank you enough.

Lastly, a more obscure thank you. I want to thank the people who have let me down, or left me somewhere along the way, from people who had been friends for years, to those who I've let myself care about more recently. Thank you for making me stronger. Thank you for making me fight harder for the things that I want, and the things that I deserve. Thank you for making me so furious and upset that I hit the gym instead of the ice cream. Thank you for showing me that I should be more discerning with who I trust, and who I let into my life. Ultimately, thank you for showing me that I can do better than people who will let me down when I need them the most. I deserve better, I have better, and I realise that now.

I have done things this year that I'm not proud of, and I can't honestly say that I am proud of the person I have been,  but I can 100% truthfully say that, as of today, I am proud of the person I am. I've made a lot of mistakes, I am only human. I can't attribute any portion of that pride to me alone, every part of the person I am is down to other people and their support, encouragement and the steadfastness of their belief in me (or, indeed, their downright douchebaggery).

So thank you! From the bottom of my heart, thank you, each and every one of you who has gone through these four years with me in any way. My new shiny degree is your degree, my walk across the stage carried with me every person who has touched my life. I am me, because of you all. Thank you!