{"id":39303,"date":"2016-06-03T15:45:07","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T19:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=39303"},"modified":"2016-06-03T15:45:07","modified_gmt":"2016-06-03T19:45:07","slug":"column-embrace-convocation-and-celebrate-your-successes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2016\/06\/column-embrace-convocation-and-celebrate-your-successes\/","title":{"rendered":"COLUMN: Embrace convocation and celebrate your successes"},"content":{"rendered":"

31,992 hours, 1,333 days, four years.<\/p>\n

It all comes\u00a0down to one day: convocation.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s when your Brock University student days end, but also when the most fulfilling day begins.<\/p>\n

\"Cate

Cate Talaue met astronaut Roberta Bodnar during her spring convocation in 2015.<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s when you remember about the times you thought you wouldn\u2019t make it, back when those paper deadlines and final exams seemed like the be all and end all.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s when you reminisce about how far you\u2019ve come, because that piece of paper with\u00a0your name and degree fancily scrawled across it \u2013 that paper you often thought was so out of reach \u2013 is finally clutched in\u00a0your hands as you proudly walk across the stage.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s your convocation, and it\u2019s finally time to celebrate.<\/p>\n

Out of all the weeks in a school year, convocation week is the most magical time of the year. It\u2019s like a Hollywood premiere and you\u2019re the VIP.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re front and centre, walking down the red carpet in the Ian Beddis gymnasium, dressed in flowing gowns that make you feel like royalty. After all, the day is about you and all you\u2019ve accomplished over the years.<\/p>\n

I was on cloud nine when I graduated last Spring. After the exclusive awards banquet, faculty breakfast and meeting astronaut Roberta Bondar, just\u00a0hours before I crossed that stage, I decided to embrace my successes.<\/p>\n

There was excitement in the air and smiles on every graduate\u2019s face. With hooting and hollering building up to the grand finale when I was on that stage, standing in front of hundreds of people, I took it all in and realized, \u201cI did it!\u201d<\/p>\n

The magic continued even after the ceremony, when I reunited with friends and family who were so proud of me, more than I may ever know. I started to think to myself, \u201cI can\u2019t believe it\u2019s over,\u201d as I left this part of my journey behind and started a new one, proudly rejoicing that I am now a Brock University alum.<\/p>\n

As I considered my path to graduation, degree in hand, sash and Spirit of Brock medal sitting comfortably around my neck as if it were always there, I knew that despite the obstacles, the tears I shed and the things I left behind, it was all worth it. That\u2019s the most satisfying feeling.<\/p>\n

Congratulations class of 2016. Enjoy it. You earned it.<\/p>\n