THE END

I am currently sitting in my LAST class as an undergraduate student. After a rather frustrating hour spent trying to pick up my allotted graduation tickets (only to find out I missed the pick up deadline) and going to the bookstore and spending another $32.81 (after the $90 graduation application fee) for my cap and gown, I am finally FINISHED spending money at EMU.
Yes, I know it's my own fault that I missed the ticket pickup deadline. I've been a bit of a flake for deadlines for quite a while now so now I'm finally seeing some hardcore consequences for my bad habit. My parents are driving up from North Carolina to see me walk on Sunday and unfortunately they won't get to.
There was NO notification of graduation information available for graduating students other than a postcard that was sent out sometime in October (I think) that directed them to a commencement website which said that there would be no information sent to graduates by mail and that all information would have to be obtained by accessing the website. They want to save on postage and maybe be more green... I get it. I am beyond tired, however, of having to do all of the work regarding any and all paperwork that needs to be filled out and filed on my account as a student and getting minimal notification of when things are supposed to happen while at the same time working as much as possible and attending all classes and maintaining a decent GPA. Other people seem to have no problem doing this. Good for them. They're more organized and on top of things.
Since I was "let go" from my job in February of 2006 I have been BUSY piecing together random jobs to be able to make my ends meet and have also been fully enrolled in classes at EMU. No, I have not been a dogsitter, housesitter, data entry clerk, camp counselor, sales staff member, etc., etc., etc., by choice for the last 2 years. I am exhausted and have been exhausted for a really long time. Getting through all of the red tape and jumping through all of the hoops that EMU has provided me with has been the hardest thing I've ever done. Needless to say that all of my other commitments and having a tiny bit of a life on top of school has left me completely burned out. I have been gaining weight and having headaches and falling asleep on my date night for so long that I don't even really remember being relaxed and happy anymore.
Keeping my finish line in sight has been my only weak driving force. My finish line has arrived and I won't get to have anyone share it with me. I'm angry and upset and feeling like an idiot.
As I've been telling my students for the last 3 months, "forgetful people need reminders." How hard would it have been for an email notification to go out about ticket pick up?
I'm sick and tired of stupid EMU and I hope I never have to return. I certainly will NOT be back for my master's program. I will be happy to choose any other institution.
How sad that I haven't been able to have a positive university experience. I've spent the last 2 years wishing that WCC was a university so I wouldn't have to deal with all of the stupid, jerky, and apparently inept people at EMU.