rackers co

Last week, I graduated from University; thus closing a long chapter in le ~ book of life ~. It took me five and a half years, a small sabbatical, a switch in degrees, and many last minute assignments to get that beautiful piece of paper. I walked out with a Bachelor of Writing, majoring in Creative Writing, and in Literary Studies. So, basically, I walked out of there with a piece of paper that says I can write and read.

Finishing my degree has been more to me than just being able to get a job in… Writing. Is that even a thing outside journalism/before getting ‘properly published’? Ah, the ever elusive Arts degrees. It’s been about a commitment to what I want out of my life and in a career. People ask what difference it makes now; I already have established myself in business, as an artist, and in a writer in my own right. What are you even going to use it for? Well… Writing, duh.

Studying writing changed the way I saw it; the art form, but also the thought that goes into which word you use, the structure of your sentence, and where exactly to emphasise.

Welcome to the real world… except, wait a minute? I have been living in it. Because living as a student is just as valid as your job taking up most of your week.

I have seen things take the rounds on the socials in saying that tertiary education isn’t necessary to get where you need to be, and is a whole lot of unnecessary debt. Isn’t that just a whole lot of subjective bullshit? Does that not depend entirely on where someone wants to be? And… hang on… is it not my debt? You’re not paying it off, darls.

There was something I read just the other day, that said you should build a business rather than get a degree. Sure, if you have a business idea and no desire for more education? Go for it. If you are going to Uni in hopes of figuring it out along the way, perhaps taking time away from study is the path for you. But you wipe out the myriad of careers that require the study. From communications all the way to doctors. And the Arts degrees are as valid, it all coming down to where the individual wants to end up. Also… saying this denies that we are all cogs in a machine, and honestly, you have to face that fact while we live in a capitalist society. That there will be people who have to be employees, rather than employers. And that there are people who want that.

I am speaking to you from both ends of the bat: starting my business was the best decision I made for myself, in terms of what brings me finance and freedom to do what I love. But going to University refined skills I need to succeed in the field I desire. Why can’t I have both?

A simple message to end on: stop trying to dictate how you think others should live their lives because you are insecure about your own decisions. Literally, just… live and let live.

Soiya Uni *cheers*