JUST a college graduate.

I am done! I officially ended my time at Chattanooga State this week. I took my final exam and will receive my degree in a few weeks! What a ride it has been...Since starting college back in 2007 I have transferred twice (once out of state) and have experienced every possible emotion along the way. I earned 89 credits while I was in MI attending GVSU and GRCC. Only 12 of which transferred with me to Tennessee. I literally had to start over. But, I. AM. DONE!!

I have had many wonderful people congratulate me and tell me how proud they are of me. However, in the mix of all these happy emotions, there are always THOSE people to make you step back and rethink. This moment has occurred more times than one might think possible since graduating while talking to (unnamed of course) people. The conversations went a little something like this each time.

Person: "How is school going?"
Sadie: "Really well, actually. I graduated in May, but finishing up one final class this summer."
Person: "That is wonderful! I am so happy for you (yadayadayada)! What is your degree in?"
Sadie: "I have my associate of science for early childhood education!"
Person: "Oh, you (--emphasize the next word choice--) JUST/ONLY have your associates?"

When I first experienced this, I immediately felt shame. Not because I was ashamed of my achievement (although it did down play it quite a bit), but it was an automatic response to the previous comment. I found myself beginning to explain why I JUST/ONLY had my associates. This went on a few more times, until I tried to avoid it all together by just saying "I have a degree in Early Childhood Education," carefully leaving out the A.S. part. I then would be questioned about my plans to teach and would be caught off guard about and find myself trying to backtrack to explain my degree didn't exactly allow me to teach my own room.

THEN ONE DAY SOMETHING CHANGED. I CHANGED.

I finally came to the realization that I had accomplished something great. Associates, Bachelor, Masters, or Graduate....I finished college. I HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

So to respond to those that asked me earlier about me "JUST/ONLY having your associates?"....

-Yes I JUST have my associated degree.
-And, I JUST worked my ass off the past seven years to achieve it.
-Yes, I could have a masters degree by now (laugh to yourself cause I don't find your joke funny), but sometimes life JUST doesn't work that way.
-By the way, I JUST worked full time to pay my own way through college.
-And throughout my entire college career, I JUST experienced three major life changes--moving to another state, got married, and had a baby while going to school for JUST my associates.
-I JUST have the most supportive husband a woman could every ask for and a group of very special people who coached me along this long road.
-So, I JUST don't care that you think less of me for JUST having my associates degree.
-I JUST couldn't be more proud of myself and thankful for those people who have been there the entire time.
-So next time someone you know JUST earns their Associates Degree, JUST KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.