Last Paper (The Sky Is The Limit)

Last semester, at one point, my breadcrumb was a black piece of paper. The point originally was to have a picture of the first page of my last paper of the semester. Unfortunately, I had not finished the paper, and had to complete it in the morning, so I took a picture of the blank page instead.

Today, I do not have a similar picture. What I do have is a similar situation. Tonight, I finished the last paper of my undergrad college career. I realize many people have already gotten this far, some have even graduated already, but it is a triumph, nonetheless. For a short part of my Senior Year of high school I considered whether or not college was worth while. Plenty of people are able to have successful careers without a degree. It also gets you started four years earlier, and thousands of dollars gained in non-existent debt. My dad never went to college and look how our family is doing.

Here I am, four years later, on the verge of graduation and in pursuit of a Ph.D in psychology. I might have a mountain of debt, and I might have less than 200 dollars in the bank, but I do not at all wonder if I made the right decision.

Also, recently, I reached another anniversary. With April concluded, it has been five years since I last drank. No I am not a recovering alcoholic and I do not consider this 'sober' stretch a conquering of an addiction. But it is somewhat of an accomplishment. Maybe in the hardest time of one's life to not drink, I made it through four years of college, constantly surrounded by and tempted by drinking, and did not give in. I do not claim to plan to never drink again, and to be perfectly honest, I contemplate going back quite often. Something seems to always keep me from doing so, and until that changes I will remain sober. I don't view myself above or better than those that drink. I just feel as though I would prefer to avoid substances as 'social lubricants' or as a way to 'enjoy' myself. It has been hard, and people definitely do not always make the decision easy. I often wonder how life at college may have changed had I drank, but I do not regret it.

I was not sure if I was going to mention this on here, and for a week or so now I held off. Ultimately, this blog is a reflection on things, and a place for me to discuss whatever I choose. My choice to not drink in college has made a significant impact on my life and so I believe that this 'anniversary' or 'accomplishment' is something to make note of. I know one thing, it has definitely saved me a lot of money.