My Official Master's Graduation!

Last month, I had my Master's Graduation! I started my Master's in September 2022 and finished in July 2024. It's been 2 years of working part-time alongside my full-time job, but even then I sometimes have ended up doing far more hours, depending on the workload, which had obviously been a little tricky at times. 

I headed to Chelmsford for my graduation which was a unique experience. I was originally doing distance, online learning but had planned to attend for one of my modules and to go in once a term for the others. That never happened so I had never been to the campus before and the city neither. It was a long drive down but we made it with good timing, then drove to two different car parks looking for space and met my dad there; my mum had come in the car with me. 

We had a lovely meal at Cote, then headed to the tents to collect graduation gowns and to take the official pictures, before heading to the cathedral for pictures in the grounds outside and then the ceremony inside. I'm glad we didn't have the final time slot of the day, because it was pitch black by the time we came out! 

There was a small drinks reception following the ceremony, but it was a good 20 minute walk from the city centre, down to the main campus. There was live music, lots of photo opportunities and free prosecco. My mum ended up having 3 glasses as neither my dad nor I drink alcohol and only fancied the water instead. Of course, if I knew other people on the course and had friends there, it would have been a little nicer but it was still a good day and the prosecco glasses were a free present to take away! 

Dad then left, whilst mum and I headed to the hotel to settle down and check in. Then we headed to a lovely little Thai Asian place which was delicious and I've been dreaming of it ever since!