I can’t believe it’s the last week of this degree program. In about 10 days, I’ll be able to say that I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true send-off without this week being one of the most stressful, ever. I have a Parallel Programming project, some debugging for Capstone that is working locally but not on our deployment, a final exam for the mountaineering class that I’ve been taking on the side, AND had to make a trip back to Ohio for a family emergency. All while everyone around me is trying to make plans with me for the summer, as if I’m not already drowning in to-do lists.

But I’ve learned that you can’t give in to the stress. You can’t let yourself become hopeless and worried that you’ll never get it all done. You have to take it one day at a time. And yes, those days might suck, but you have to remember that it’s temporary. You will get through it. And you have to forgive yourself for not getting through it perfectly. When you’re in survival mode, as I feel like I have been for much of the last two years, you have to forgive yourself for not being able to get alllll the things done perfectly on time. Remind yourself that you’re doing your best, and that someday, you’ll have a bit more time and energy to accomplish those goals you’ve been dying to accomplish. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and most Computer Science degrees weren’t attained while working full-time jobs AND taking mountaineering classes AND maintaining perfect workout schedules AND cooking three meals each day from scratch AND being an attentive girlfriend/friend/daughter AND being a loving dog foster.

And so, even in this extremely stressful last week of this entire degree, I am trying to remember to take it one day a time. To breathe. And remind myself that it’s going to be okay. And that I’m capable. Yes, that’s a big one. I’m capable. This degree has proven that. I. Am. Capable. I did it. I got this dang piece of paper (well, I’m a week away I guess, but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna get it). I might get a promotion to SDE2 soon. I’m feeling more confident in my software abilities. I. Am. Capable. So there’s almost no point in stressing, because I know I can get through it. I’ve overcome so much already… here’s to one last week!