It has been a tough four years – with more than a few late nights – and yesterday one Aberdeenshire graduate said he couldn’t have done it without the help and support of his loving wife.
Business management graduate Colin Mitchell even managed to sit a vital exam on the day his daughter Sophie was born.
Mr Mitchell, 33, was studying for the test in RGU’s Georgina Scott Sutherland Library in 2012 when he found out his wife Joanne had gone into labour.
Their daughter finally arrived two days later – but not until dad had completed his exam.
Yesterday he said: “I had to make it into Inverurie from Aberdeen in record time. It was a Thursday that her water broke and I had an exam on the Saturday morning.”
Despite balancing parenthood with his work as a contracts manager at BP, and completing his degree, Mr Mitchell has come out of university with a first class honours.
He said: “I have been working since 1996, then started studying in 2010 part-time.
“My career developed from being a gas turbine fitter to managing contracts for the provision of gas turbine services to major oil companies.
“The time balance was not easy and has been at the sacrifice of time with my family and friends.
“Joanne has been amazing at looking after Sophie to enable me to spend days studying – she has been very understanding.”
He added: “For me, graduating is a big personal achievement and I am now planning to spend some quality time with Joanne and Sophie, regain a social life and get back on the golf course.”
Mrs Mitchell, said she was thrilled to see him graduate yesterday.
“I’m extremely proud of him for his hard work and sacrifice,” she said.