People treating you differently since you've graduated?

[Vle045]

I think it's different for me. I'm pretty much the only person in my immediate family circle who didn't have a degree. Both of my parents, my wife, and my SIL have Master's, my MIL has a D.Ed., my brother has a Bachelor's in Engineering and is a PE, my aunts and uncles and cousins, etc. all have their degrees. So I've received nothing but support and praise for finally finishing.

I think they're more excited about it then I am, to be honest. For me, it was just a piece of paper that was holding me back in the job-seeking world, for them, it's a 20-year journey that's finally complete.

That kind of support must be wonderful!  My experience has, unfortunately, been the opposite.  Outside my spouse, children, and a couple of relatives, the rest of my large family sees education beyond high school as a complete waste of time.  I have completed both my ADN and my BSN, and many times received derogatory or hostile comments about "getting above my upbringing" or being "too big for my britches."  My relatives are quite rural and enjoy putting down "educated idiots" while feeling superior in their small pond.  After the year I've had working in a pandemic, I've changed my mind about my MSN and have recently started taking classes for a MHA instead.  I'm already a DON, but decided that I want to go into administration full time.  A cousin I'm close to recently found out I'm getting my masters, and couldn't help but get a few digs in about what a colossal waste of time it was.  Of course, I got to remind her that I'm already laughing all the way to the bank while she works her second shift job at the local BK. 

It’s amazing how people think they are experts in things that they have literally no knowledge about whatsoever.   Hopefully you don’t let them drag you down.