After two years (due to covid-19) I finally graduated in-person 🥺. I am truly grateful that I am still alive and well to experience this moment with the people I love, in memory of those who have gone before me. My grandmother passed away in Dominica when I was in my 2nd year of University. All personal motivation left me, the only source of motivation I could pull together was my grandmother wishes. I knew she would have wanted me to finish my degree, so I did it. I remember sitting in the University office asking the administrator to remove me from the system, I wanted to give up so badly but then she said “No, I’m not going to do that Rianna because I know this isn’t what you actually want.” I really have to thank the counsellors, mentors, ministers and family in my life that have kept me afloat GOD, my late grandparents, Mum, @dr.triphi, Jacqueline Douglas, Rachel Gefferie, @kjterre, Aunty Sam, @mitchel_davis767 , @sagessecoline, @hayleymulenda, @ife.ibrahim, @graysonstedmanjr, Kimersha, Claudyn, @aribique03, Zainab, @zekebruney1, @diamondrose.x The UK Education Service for supporting me with applying for University Hannah Greer and Steph Hudges, Career Advisors at the @unikentlive. Hannah and Matt Cook from the EP team & the many others that have played a part in this journey, I appreciate every helping hand I’ve received. It wasn’t just about the degree, but it was the journey. It was learning how to juggle university and running a charity in the Caribbean from the UK (@dcadementiafoundation)🇩🇲. It was volunteering for different causes. It was meeting new people. The leap of faith, it was the determination and drive built over the years. It was the person I became through the challenges. Rianna Patterson, Psychology. BSc Hons. Merci Bondaye 🙏🏽 #Islandgyal #blackinpsychology #psychology #psychologygraduate #KentUni #dominica #mentalhealthadvocate #Kentgrad #UniKent #Kentgrads #victorylap #caribbeanyouth #psychology #mentalhealth #graduation #classof2020 #commonwealthyouth #motivation #dementia #BlackWomanInNeuro Wig styled by @venessa_hairr Photography by @htempestphoto Hair @megalookhair