I missed graduation, in both senses of the word; I was missing from it and I missed out, on an event, on a celebration of achievement, and, on closure. I tried to erase the upcoming event from memory, but countless Facebook posts of my peers, their proud parents and Ralph Fiennes were not letting me get away that easily. Jealousy and regret ensue.
The truth is I couldn't afford to go, not only the costs of hiring a gown, tickets and travel, but the added expenses of further time away from work. Yes my parents offered to pay but I already owe them so much as the costs of University life stretch much further than the current student loan.
So I questioned: Who was the ceremony for?
Not for me.
And now what? Take an unpaid internship? A minimum wage job? Or carve out my own career?
Current Salary: £8.00 per hour.
Travel Costs: Nil.
Rent: £1000 per month (divided by two)
Bills: Oh who knows anymore.
Debt: Infinite.
Lesson Learnt: Yes. Perhaps.
London 2015: Where the streets are paved in gold, just not yours.
