My piece of paper

After five years, I finally got my parchment for my law degree, my piece of paper. It seems like such a simple thing now that I have it. After all this time, I’ve finally made it to the end. I’m certainly not where I expected to be. 

It feels like that piece of paper stores all the things that formed part of my law degree. All the mistakes. All the victories. A first year having no idea what he was doing, and trying to find someone. A second year learning from his mistakes and putting effort into turning things around. A third year who kept fighting, and learnt that integrity was more important than achievement. A fourth year who had things together, and was living the best life he ever had.

When I picked up my piece of paper one of the staff rang a bell and then there was the sound of three people clapping. It took me a second to realise that the three staff members were clapping for me. That was really nice of them, but the whole experience was a far cry from what I was expecting. 

I was alone when I went in to ask adelaide and picked up the piece of paper. That was probably a mistake. I saw a group of people a few days later picking up their parchment in graduation garb with family and friends. I would recommend that option. I think it’s better to celebrate graduation, even if you can’t do it in the conventional way. 

So that was it, that was the wrap up to being a law student. Here at the end of everything, I’m happy to have my very expensive piece of paper. To me it represents achievement, learning and a really positive time of my life. I haven’t framed it yet, but I will. It will sit on my wall to remind me of law school:

Was admitted to the Degree of the Bachelor of Laws in the University of Adelaide on the 31st day of December in the year 2019.