For years you worked hard. Late nights. Frustration.

And now you passed your last test and they say you did it.

And you say did what?

It is time to go out and use what you learned. Don’t be shy. Even though you lack confidence, the conversations you used to have with your English-speaking friends are over. You graduated.

No more, “Did you see that?”

Your friend, “What?”

You, “That?”

Them, “What?”

You, “Huh?”

They shake their heads.

You, “The thing, The … whadaya call it?”

Them, “I don’t know. You are the one who graduated.”

You, “Oh, forget it. You can’t understand my English.”

You Crying.

Don’t sweat it. You have done the hard part. You have built a foundation from which to grow from. You know the basics. All you need is practice using all you learned. It will come. With practice. Talk to people in English. Watch English language TV and movies without subtitles. Read interesting magazines.

You may have graduated, but never stop. When you stop using it you start losing it. And you worked too hard to get here. So don’t stop. Enjoy what you can do with it. Have fun. Relax and play with your new language skills.