Hey dad, I know that we’ve not been close for quite some time now. I really hope that at some point that could change, but for right now, all I want is for you to say that you are proud of me. It really hurt when you didn’t even aknowledge me getting my A-levels years ago, and that when I got my Bachelor’s you told me that all students are stupid.
I’m not your dad, but I’m proud of you. Not for the A-levels, not for the Bachelor’s, but for the effort and work you put in to achieve those milestones. Getting through school is hard. It’s like having a job with several bosses all wanting to be your first priority, each one with different requirements for how they want the work done. That takes a lot of patience, a lot of time management, a lot of sacrifice, and as above, a lot of work.
The diplomas and degrees represent those things. I’m proud of you. You’re going to have plenty more opportunies to be patient, manage time, sacrifice, and work - and not all of them are going to have concrete rewards as evidence. Be proud of yourself; there’s no shame in that.
And for pushing through in spite of the active efforts to display your achievements.
Well done, and all the very best for whatever comes next!