People treating you differently since you've graduated?

[collegechick]

I've been surprised by some people in my life who weren't happy for me to complete my BA and pursuing an additional advanced degree.  One friend ignored my response after he asked what I'd been up to several times during Covid, and another one was sarcastic.  Don't get me wrong, I've had incredible support from most, but surprised to see the insecurities of others manifest since my completion.  I wasn't expecting this.      

Did any of you experience this as well?

Yes, but my situation was quite far from the norm.

I was a part of a fundamentalist Christian sect for much of my adult life. The sect doesn't outright ban, but highly frowns upon pursuing higher education as something frivolous, even dangerous. I had to be very careful with whom I shared my successes because I knew I could be either the object of scorn, or I could make others feel bad who had sacrificed their own education for the sake of their worship. Even still, I was at times surprised just how vehemently others were opposed to my decision.

This thread, and your experience really hits home to me. Just this past weekend, I was thinking about how much joy I missed out on because I didn't allow myself room to celebrate. Not even with others, but just by myself. I finally had accomplished something that I always wanted and always thought couldn't happen due to financial and health reasons. Yet, it happened, and all I did was receive my diploma in the mail and shove it in an accordion file along with my other important papers. I did briefly hang it up at one point, but I didn't want it to be a conversation piece for church members who came over my place and saw it.

I've decided to mount my BA diploma on the wall facing me in my home office. That way, when I'm in a reflexive mood, I can look up and think fondly of what I've done. Also, since leaving the church, I decided to look for friends who will be happy for me, not envious or contemptuous of me, when good things happen.

First of all congratulations on completing your BA!  Sounds like we both graduated around the same time?  June 11, 2021?  Cheers to us both!

Wow, I can relate to nearly everything you posted.  I was raised a Jehovah's Witness and they discouraged any further education.  I had the short-term mentality that armageddon was right around the corner *rolls eyes*.  So happy I freed myself from that cult!  I also experienced health issues that forced me to relocate and was finally able to move past them to complete my degree.  Cheers to both of us overcoming those obstacles!  

I like the idea of mounting the degree on the wall.  I've decided to keep the diploma jacket/folder out on my dresser as a temporary reminder of my completion.  Still can't believe I finally finished!  Congrats again!