To all my friends graduating this week: congratulations! I love you. You've worked so hard for this moment, and I hope you enjoy it.
To all my friends who thought they'd be graduating this week and aren't: hey. You've worked hard, too.
I have friends who left college because they couldn't afford it; I have friends who left college to focus on their mental health; I have friends who left college because they got so sick that their survival was once in question (this one was me).
I have friends who left college because they realized their passion was elsewhere; I have friends who left college because they weren't ready or weren't in the right program or because they became parents or their parents needed them at home. I also have friends who left college because a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came their way (this one was me too).
In my year off school, I got a lot of weird looks. I also avoided a nice chunk of student debt, overcame a debilitating injury, worked in President Obama's White House, had an unforgettable four months living with nuns, and spent thousands of hours teaching kids about computer science. And I wouldn't trade any of that for the world.
Maybe you left for couple semesters and came back like I did, or maybe you left and haven't found your way back yet. It took me a while to realize this, but progress isn't linear, growth comes in many forms, and everyone has different needs at different times. As a senior, I'll be a year behind many friends, but right on time for me.