# I finally got my degree! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 16, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955 "2009-06-16T16:33:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/1 "2009-06-16T16:33:57Z")
I have it in my hands now! It’s not purely conceptual. I could actually hang it on the wall if I wanted to. WOOHOO!!! [The Degree, in all its splendor](http://gallery.opalcat.com/albums/Stuff/csu_diploma_blurred.jpg) and it only took 19 years\*, 6 schools, and 3 states to get it! \*(obviously not continuous. It’s just funnier to say it took me 19 years, but more accurate to say that it took me 3 years, but that I had a year’s worth of transfer credits from going part time in the very early '90s) ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/2 "2009-06-16T16:47:56Z")
Congratulations! Enjoy your day in the sun! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/3 "2009-06-16T16:54:57Z")
Enjoy it while the feeling lasts. I should have gotten a degree in 1980, and finally got one in 1998. Now I wonder sometimes if it’s given me anything but another 13K in debt. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/4 "2009-06-16T16:59:27Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I have it in my hands now! It’s not purely conceptual. I could actually hang it on the wall if I wanted to. I generally use mine if I need something firm to write on. 😃 Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/5 "2009-06-16T17:07:18Z")
Well, I got the degree for two reasons… one because it’s nice to have a degree, of course. It makes you more well-rounded. But the main reason was that I wanted the training. I want to be a professional artist, try to get gallery contracts, etc… I needed the mentoring. I feel that I’ve learned SOOOO much as an artist since going back to school. It was worth it just for that. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/6 "2009-06-16T17:07:34Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I generally use mine if I need something firm to write on. 😃 > > Congratulations! I don’t know if I even have mine any more. I had it for a while, but it has been missing since moving into this house. I guess I lost it in the move. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/7 "2009-06-16T17:51:43Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Enjoy it while the feeling lasts. I should have gotten a degree in 1980, and finally got one in 1998. Now I wonder sometimes if it’s given me anything but another 13K in debt. Wow, I feel the need to say “I’m sorry you feel that way, Boyo Jim.” If I had gone straight to college, I could have had a degree in 1984. I decided to take the scenic route, by getting my girlfriend pregnant, have 3 kids, and wait until 2004 to get my undergrad (2008 to get my Masters). All I can say is that in my personal situation, I IMMEDIATELY started getting call backs on job applications when I was able to say I was a college graduate. I guess YMMV ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/8 "2009-06-17T02:59:28Z")
Congratulations, and extra kudos for the “Summa cum laude”. It’s wonderful that it’s helping you in your life projects. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/9 "2009-06-17T03:13:43Z")
Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/10 "2009-06-17T03:24:50Z")
Thanks! I’m seriously considering going for my master’s degree in a year or two… scary thought, though. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/11 "2009-06-17T13:13:12Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Thanks! I’m seriously considering going for my master’s degree in a year or two… scary thought, though. I don’t know what your current work situation is, but with this economy… why not? That’s exactly what I did. If you’re like me, you found that going to school as an ‘adult’ was much easier than it ever was as a kid. I naturally paid attention, did my homework, didn’t feel the need to skip class, etc. etc. There’s a LOT more writing in getting your Masters, but from what I’ve seen on here, that’s the least of your worries. That didn’t come out right. Let me try again… You posted enough on here, that I certainly don’t see big writing assignment a problem for you. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/12 "2009-06-17T13:43:34Z")
I am not afraid of writing 🙂 The part that scares me is the massive time commitment and “life disruption” factor. Getting a Master of Fine Arts degree is going to mean doing a buttload of artwork, and that can throw our house into chaos, depending on the project. For example, when I did [this guy](http://gallery.opalcat.com/gallery/art_book_09_2008/58_sculptures?full=1), my house was covered with little flecks of styrofoam for months! (He’s 3 feet tall, carved out of styrofoam with a Dremel.) Hopefully we will be able to find a house with enough space that I can have a dedicated studio room so I don’t have to take over the kitchen or living room or office, etc. like I do now. :X ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/13 "2009-06-17T15:35:39Z")
Hahaha, **OpalCat** , my work filter says: > [@](#): > > Access to this webpage is restricted. > URL: [http://gallery.opalcat.com/gallery/art\_book\_09\_2008/58\_sculptures?full=1](http://gallery.opalcat.com/gallery/art_book_09_2008/58_sculptures?full=1) > Category: Pornography :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/14 "2009-06-17T16:22:18Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > But the main reason was that I wanted the training. I want to be a professional artist, try to get gallery contracts, etc… I’ve seen your work, m’dear; you already ARE an artist. The degree just makes an official statement to non-artists.😉 ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/15 "2009-06-18T02:16:19Z")
Congratulations! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/16 "2009-06-18T03:01:20Z")
Congratulations! I took way less than that, but dropped out twice before finishing my degree. The second time I left, I got a job so thoroughly dispiriting that I forced myself back to finish it; otherwise, I knew I’d always have that sense of failure hanging over me. I am so happy I could pull it together for that last year; my life changed dramatically for the better within six months of graduating. If you gave yourself anywhere near as much grief as I gave myself (and I think you did), you should be damned pround of yourself! Have a look in a mirror – that’s the face of a winner. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/17 "2009-06-18T03:45:40Z")
> [@Jettboy](#): > > I’ve seen your work, m’dear; you already ARE an artist. The degree just makes an official statement to non-artists.😉 Aww, thanks, but seriously I didn’t know how to do anything but draw, really, before I went back to school. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/18 "2009-06-18T03:57:55Z")
Another voice of congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/19 "2009-06-18T04:45:42Z")
So glad it happened here in Cleveland! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955/20 "2009-06-18T18:44:48Z")
> [@Jettboy](#): > > I’ve seen your work, m’dear; you already ARE an artist. The degree just makes an official statement to non-artists.😉 and to people that might want to hire a teacher. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-got-my-degree/499955.md?page=2)