As Laurel accepted her degree she felt a like she was riding a swell of emotions. Relief, pride, excitement mingled with threads of worry and anxiety. Her whole life she'd been at the Academy. She was one of the stones found in the Great Cache, awakened and raised here. Classes aside, the Academy had been her home. Now she was finally finished with classes, ready for the world outside the walls of education. It was a big step into the great unknown, which was probably where some of her anxiety was coming from. Still, Laurel wasn't too worried. For one thing, even if she was leaving the only home she'd ever known thus far, she wasn't going alone. Flax was graduating as well, and the two had actually been looking into housing situations. Laurel was thinking a nice, simple apartment would be a good step for now. Of course she and Flax had plans to start a family some day, which would require a bit more room, but for the first time stepping out on their own as responsible adults and apartment should do just fine.
Laurel wasn't entirely sure what Flax's plans were after Acadmey, but she was pretty sure they involved going into University. It made sense, continuing to levels of high education would ensure better employment opportunities. She herself had turned several options over in her head, but, ultimately, decided to skip continuing her education. It had been a tough choice that had kept her awake at night. It came down to employment, and what she wanted to do. There were several things she was interested in, but going through those interests she also tried to think about where her skills were. In the end, Laurel had decided to take up a career as a personal trainer. She had always been big into health and exercise, frequented a gym in town, and was friendly enough with the staff that she'd been able to ask several questions. All she'd needed was to take some standardized tests. It didn't require extra schooling, though it was wise to study a bit on your own since the tests cost money to take and you didn't want to have to keep repeating them. Actually, Laurel was already lined up to take the tests, and while she was nervous she was also confident in her ability to pass. Then she would have her certifications, and from there she might even have a job. The owner of the gym had dropped hints that they would be willing to hire Laurel as long as she got her certifications in order. They could work out the specific details afterwards, though from what she understood she'd be put to working with individuals and maybe substituting for the other trainers who ran classes on days they called in or needed off. That would give her the experience to know what kind of specialty she might want to pursue, not to mention work experience in case she ever wanted to transfer to a new place of employment.
Laurel had considered looking into taking college classes anyway, since she didn't exactly need to take a job in whatever she chose to study, and it might be nice to have a degree in some form of higher education. She'd decided against it though, for various reasons. School and homework cutting into her availability at her job, not to mention financially it would be better if she could work full time. She wouldn't say as much to Flax, lest he think she was worried or holding back. It wasn't like that at all. Besides, if she really did want to pursue higher education it wasn't like there was a deadline or something. She could always choose to go back to school at a later point in life. It might even be better that way. The whole distance and perspective thing, giving her more ideas for what she might want to pursue.
Laurel headed back to her room, changed clothes, and checked the time. She and Flax probably had time to get a bite to eat, and then she could catch the first of her certification classes this afternoon. The second one was tomorrow, and with any luck she'd have a job at the week's end. 'Welcome to the world of adults,' she thought with ironic humor as she opened the door to her dormitory room for one of the last times.
