In an hour-and-a-half, I’ll be sitting my final exam and completing my final assignment for my degree. By the time 11am comes around, I’ll have finished my degree … as long as I haven’t grossly failed the last assignment I’m waiting on marks for …

It has been a journey. It really has. When I first started the degree, I was excited but also a mess. Eager to get to class only because I was eager for it to be over with. I loved what I was learning but realising I had no general support on campus was a bit debilitating. I didn’t know anyone and didn’t know how to make friends (still don’t, really) and three of the closest people to me left to live overseas for a while. And then there were all the tumultuous events … But a lot of good things have happened too. Things that I would never have guessed would. And I’m wholeheartedly grateful to everyone who helped me along the way, even if they didn’t realise it. And I’m proud of myself too! No matter what my GPA might look like after this exam. The anxiety was so great back then, and the depression so heavy. I felt like I wasn’t good at anything and couldn’t achieve anything. But here I am, at the end of the lap, ready to start another.

I’m sitting with my text book and study notes and my usual iced mocha and toasted banana bread and I feel at ease.