Well, it took 1344 days, but I have completed all of my requirements for a bachelor’s degree in geography at Penn State. Now I get to wait the 11 days until graduation to actually receive the permanent reminders – the Scholar Medal and the diploma.
Yes, the thesis was finished on time. It was a harrowing process at times, but I’m grateful to have two advisors that really put in the time and effort to make sure what I was writing was honors-caliber. I’m proud of how it turned out, but I would definitely say to classes coming after me that the best advice I can give is “start yesterday”. The thesis is not a beast to be rushed.
I’m moving out of the dorms for the final time on Thursday to spend a week at home before returning for a final 24 hours in Happy Valley as an undergraduate. It’s been an amazing four years, and I’ll miss many things about dorm life – the foremost of which is probably the many, many friendships I’ve developed with my neighbors. I will likely never again be in a living situation quite like this, and I will miss it.
For those of you that didn’t know, I will be attending Temple University’s Ambler Campus in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in community and regional planning under a full fellowship. It’s a two-year program with night classes, so it will be different than here, but I am excited about returning to Philadelphia with my family and favorite places. Four years in the middle of central Pennsylvania was nice, but I am far more suited for megalopolis living.
It’s been an amazing ride, and I’d like to thank the SHC for giving me the opportunity to share some of it with you. Good night and good luck!
Congrats on Temple, Popek! It’s been an amazing 4 years… good luck, and stay in touch!