I got a letter from my school yesterday congratulating me on completing all my degree credits. They sent along a final transcript, and it confirmed my worst nightmare. Accompanying my final grades came the two little words I feared the most: cum laude. Notice I said two words. As in, not summa cum laude. Not magna cum laude. Cum laude.
Now, my friends, I suppose some (perhaps most?) people would be happy with cum laude. I, however, am not. I think I was cheated. Robbed. Screwed. 3.76 was the GPA cut-off for magna cum laude. My GPA is 3.755. As in, I missed magna cum laude by 0.005 freaking points. Whatever happened to rounding up? What's even more maddening is they didn't configure in my transfer credits (I completed my first two years of college at a different institution). If you count those credits in, my GPA is well beyond 3.76.
After yelling some profanities and having a good cry and seriously contemplating sinking into a deep depression for a few weeks (I'm overly dramatic, sometimes), I decided no. Hellz no. Instead of letting it get to me, I'm going to treat this like a bad ex. Homeboy just cheated on me. Am I going to sit here and wallow in self pity? No. Is it even my fault? No. I tried the best I could. This is just enough ammunition for me to realize that hey! My undergraduate days are done. Finished. So there will be no more of this, "OMG, I'm so bored now that I don't have school anymore! What ever should I do?" No. Yeah, I've got some extra time on my hands. Most people would kill to have it. So instead of wandering around "bored," I'm going to make the most of my time. And I'm going to enjoy doing it, goddamnit. Or else.
So tell me: if you had an excess of free time on your hands for an undefined amount of time (and you can't go traveling because you have a job), what would you do?
Leather jacket: Doma
Dress: Shopbop
Scarf: Target
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
that is such a total piss off. like a .001 to round up piss off. UGH!!
ReplyDeletei would've screamed it out, called the school and gave them a piece of my mind (sad but true), and then ate cake. chocolate cake.
i love your attitude and it's a good one. i was going to say read books, but you've prolly already read like a million (i so remember where you are). therefore i would watch a bunch of television i hadn't had time for in the past 4 years, take leisurely naps, go to bed before 2am (never happened much for me in uni), read random books for fun that were nowhere near academia, eat lunch with my friends and whenever possible sleep in during the week.
whatever was school - do the exact opposite of. show that biznatch who's boss.
xo,
c
UGH!! That happened to my best friend too...SO ANNOYING! Schools are dumb...haha
ReplyDeleteHmm...if I had tons of free time I would start talking more walks and adventures around my town. And maybe start sewing again and making cute stuff to wear...haha....
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/
These are wonderful photos and that jacket is amazing. Total bummer about your grades. Can't you appeal? No idea how the system works outside the UK.
ReplyDeleteIf I had time off I would do some classes in photography, do some voluntary work (probably in a charity shop - window displays here I come) and become an informal personal shopper to my friends. Sounds great actually. Maybe I should pack in my job. :-)
they didn't round it up?? that's stupid! it is only a 0.005 difference!
ReplyDeletewhat will i do with my free time? watch a bunch of movies, tv shows etc. hahahaha. i'd also do sports i guess? yah, sports not happening. ahaha!
ReplyDeleteanyway, you look gorgeous as always. :)
Janelle
http://barestudy.blogspot.com
Errggh...how frustrating...Id be grabbing a carton of Edys ice cream, lol.....I must say doll...you look absolutely FAB here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your help on Twitter, lol..looks like all is just well:)
Beautiful! Can't believe you're braving the snow in that!
ReplyDeletewww.lightsdrivemysoul.blogspot.com
xxSea
I think you did well to take the high road. Also knowing you do have it in in you to graduate summa cum laude will soften the blow perhaps?
ReplyDeleteugh, that really sucks, I'm so sorry for your disappointment!! I really admire your attitude though and if I had a bunch of free time I would take a photography or pottery class (I've always wanted to do that!).
ReplyDeleteIt's my first time here and you are very very pretty! If i have an excess of free time on my hands and I can't go travelling, I want to do what I've always wanted to do but had little energy and time which are:
ReplyDeletepainting the room/house
packing up wardrobe
rearranging furniture
learning how to bake
visit all the exhibitions i've always wanted to go but didn't
sorting out my phonebook contacts
First of all, that close up shot of you makes me want to squeeze you till I pick you up off the ground. Wow, that sounded violent and all I was trying to say was you're so cute I can't stand it. Lordy.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that whole school mess sugar. Good thing you are strong and can move on quickly.
So, if I were you, I would just join the circus. How fun would that be???
xoxo,
Tracy
Hey, congrats on getting all your credits, but sorry you're school is a loser and cheated you out of magna!
ReplyDeleteAt least you still look great! love this outfit :)
- www.itsanewkate.blogspot.com
so annoying when you miss out by such a small amount :( its a shame too cos you prob really deserve the higher grade. good on you for taking the high ground though.
ReplyDeleteloving that green scarf
Scrapbook de la Emma
ASSHOLES!!! have you contacted the school - if you mention your transfer credits, its indisputable. i work in higher ed - trust me, people make mistakes. A LOT. it's worth asking, right?
ReplyDeleteanyway - its great that you realize the value of your time! i DO wish i had more time! if i did, i would....spend more time working on my online vintage shop. not wake up to an alarm clock whenever possible. take my dog on longer walks. do more yoga. and read.
what do you think you'll be doing to fill your days??
LOL. Aww I'm so sorry your didn't get magna cum laude. Cum laude is still good... ;)
ReplyDeleteIf I had a lot of free time, I would paint. Hands down. I love painting, no second guessing it.
xo Sherrie
While that school-thing sucks, you're right to let it go. Don't carry it around with you; instead, fill your life with positive new things.
ReplyDeleteYour upcoming 1.5 is a chance of a lifetime. Don't squander it watching TV. Set some goals (not too many) and pursue them with enthusiasm. Enjoy doing what you want, not what others force you to do.
Amazing outfit! I think the dress is soo beautiful on you!
ReplyDelete♥
the shots with the snow falling are amazing! great work and love the outfit.
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Thanks for your comment ashley!!;) love your shoes!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so frustrating about your grades!! I would be so annoyed about that, you would have thought they would just round it up!! But congrats on finishing anyway =)
ReplyDeleteLove your shoes though, they look amazing with the socks, but your legs must be freeeezing!!
Sorry I haven't been commenting.
ReplyDeleteFirst, congratulations on cum laude. I know it's not what you wanted, but a lot of people don't even graduate with Latin honors at all. That is not to rope you into the category of everybody else (because I don't see you as any quotidian college student), but you finished school early and did well. So bravo! I think the not rounding up is bull. Doesn't your school report overall GPA in three significant figures? Mine does. We don't have the 0.00X number. You guys must be phenomenal with your bookkeeping. Still, bummer.
As for free time... read a lot of books and then write one. Learn to knit. Draw. So many hobbies!
nice pictures!
ReplyDeletexoxo
www.afashionhouseofcards.blogspot.com
Thankyou so much for the comment on my blog, I think my girls are a bit small too ;) and it really inspired me :)
ReplyDeleteI'm following you, great blog.
Lovely outfit and I hope your grade gets sorted out!
Amy,x
woow awesome look and gorgeoys photos, you are such a beauty *-*
ReplyDeleteLove you'r blog, and I'll follow you
XX
Are you kidding me??? They couldn't round it up? Grrrrr. On a positive note you look beautiful, I love that close up shot of you.
ReplyDeleteIf I had time on my hands (and money) I would travel for sure. And learn photography.
so happy I discovered your blog, you are soooo beyond! so sorry about your transcript :/ but at least free time and gorgeous outfits make up for it. following!
ReplyDeletexoxo
You are beautiful, and I love your dress! In the first picture you look so much a model, so elegant!
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm still in secondary school so I have no year about the whole cum laude thing, but my school sounds a lot like it. Most secondary schools think a B is brilliant. My school, you're only brilliant if you get an A*. And since we're so paranoid about getting less, basically half the school get A*s. But not in everything. That's hard.
Oh damn, that's really mean! Good on you for not letting it drag you down. If I had more time I would totally realise my creative phantasies - from photography to DIY stuff. The pictures are wonderful - but is there ALWAYS snow where you live? xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit!
ReplyDeleteomg sorry to hear about your grades, you were soo close! :( but nice outfit you got on, you look super cozy with those socks on
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that this happened. There is nothing worse than working your butt off and not getting what you deserve!
ReplyDeleteDon't get yourself into a bad place over this though. It is over and now you need to move on! :)
I have had loads of spare time this week beign snowed in
Organized my make up and my closet
O wait, didn't you already do that?
I love to volunteer, you meet great people and are helping out.
Love that third photo (closeup, hands face eyes) It's stunning!
ReplyDeleteAnd, how frustrating to just miss the magical cutoff for gpa by thismuch. It's annoying to hear this, but the number doesn't take anything away from what you accomplished or what you learned or how far you will succeed!
I hope you do something fabulous in your undefined amount of time!
Beautiful as usual! Although it does look pretty cold out...the scarf looks cozy, though!
ReplyDelete...And that is seriously frustrating...you would think they would round up, or at least count your other credits toward that total.
However, I find that when I have lots of free time I do absolutely nothing, and it becomes quite an issue. If I force myself to make a schedule or have a list of things I want to do, I feel a lot better and much more productive. Ideally, I would curl up and read books to no end, but I would probably end up baking, running, and blogging as well...nothing very exciting, haha.
-Halie
that would make anyone outraged! sorry!!!
ReplyDeletethis outfit is gorgeous though!!
Chic on the Cheap
Well if it was me Id take another photography course or maybe a photo editing one. I am also would love to learn French. But then thats just me! Dont panic, grab your free time and make the most of it, God knows when you;ll have that opportunity again! X
ReplyDeleteLove the close up of your face =) So pretty =)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your graduation! That is completely infuriating about your grades, but you have exactly the right attitude... it's over; time to move on to bigger and better things :)
ReplyDeleteIf I had excess time on my hands but couldn't travel, I would probably spend about a week catching up on sleep. Then I would spend time with all of my friends who have irregular work schedules and aren't neccessarily available on weekends. Oh, and bake. Baking is so much fun, and there's never enough time in normal life for as many cookies as I want to eat.
You are stunning, by the way, and this look is so lovely in its simplicity :)
xox,
Cee
Loooooove it :)
ReplyDeletehttp://minnja.blogspot.com/
If you follow me, I follow back
Jessie James song all the way ;) I love being lazy and have extra time for myself (: I would watch a bunch of movies, tv shows etc ahahaha
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, that's crazy! I don't understand why they didn't round it up but I can understand the frustration. I missed a higher mark for my masters by 1% which annoyed me.
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely gorgeous in the snow by the way, I love how that scarf adds a pop of colour!
Also I love that you enjoy the ViVi posts!! Gives me a reason to keep scanning them in :)
LOVE YOUR STYLE AND YOUR HONESTY. I WOULD LEARN TO KNIT. LIKE PROPERLY. Please follow our blog if you fancy it! It's very new lol ... http://fablesoffreast.blogspot.com/ x
ReplyDeletebrilliant hunny...i am sooo soo in love with ur leather jacket!!!
ReplyDeleteand the shoes with the socks with the anklet on top is a very neat detail!!
U look amazing n women ,, ur gnna get cold from going out like dis :s
ReplyDeleteOr am just the girl from desert who cant stand cold weather at all
Love the jacket n u look like a doll ,, brb catching up on ur posts
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