Student Life Archives

Having taken great pains to keep details of my personal life out of what I write, these words are difficult for me to express to such a large audience. However, because I know what I have gone through at this school is not a unique story, I want to share it with everyone that is in the process of writing their own.

Coming out of high school I was extremely depressed, due mostly to the stingy love of a single-parent family and suffering under a bowl-style hair cut for so many years. My fantasy of leaving that part of myself behind when I left for college was quickly dashed – the change of scenery provided no mitigation for how achingly hollow I felt. I had no sense of wonder towards college because I was too busy struggling with my depression, and I limped into my first year with nary a lick of dating experience or self-confidence. Yet, I was adamant that I was going to start enjoying all the things I hadn’t been for the last eighteen years. Within a month of starting school, I started seeing a therapist.

The reasons I decided to get help must be commented on, as this was the most difficult step for me. Although I had for years made excuses to avoid the shame and embarrassment of a public display of my struggles with depression, I had finally become fed up with being sad every day. I began to think I would rather be dead than live another year, let alone four more. The unyielding force of that thought was what got me to change. I accepted that I knew nothing about how to be happy.

My search for meaning showed me that people rarely disappear from life, in the sense of losing all their connections to society at once. There are so often moments in life when you can stand in the background that, after a while, you start to think you’re supposed to keep your head down and not have anyone to hang out with on a Friday night; that this is your lowly place and you deserve it. Your emotions become landmines that you force yourself to walk upon because the pain is all you know how to feel. After reaching this point, any attempt at dating or maintaining a small circle of friends becomes a mess of overcompensation and forced effort. You learn to keep to yourself, because at least your crappy life is familiar and manageable. And you slowly fade away.

After two difficult years of piecing myself together in therapy, I slowly began to find that life hid pleasures behind its rough edges. Smiling, something I had never done too much of, began to fill the little spaces in my life. This became an area I had to learn to control as well – because I had never done it before, I had so much energy to put into living happily that it freaked people out. I wanted to experience everything I had missed out on, but I didn’t know where to start except by loving someone. Because of this I lost a friend, Meredith: although I knew the rough outlines of what love was supposed to look like, love requires stability and an unselfish heart, skills I had not perfected when I started my junior year. Learning these rules cost me a close friend, but I never expected love to come easily. I had learned that lesson from my parents a long time ago.

As I settled down and searched for friends, lovers, and meaning to my life, I was shocked to find them all so easily. I discovered that the same places I had previously marked off as bereft of enjoyment now provided me with everything I had been longing for my entire life: people actually wanted to be my friend now that I had lightened up; I was comfortable when alone instead of feeling anxious; perhaps most importantly, I had a deeply satisfying relationship with a woman I am proud to say that I truly loved, Sara. I did these things, and they were hard, but I am not special. I just wanted them bad enough, and worked hard to get them.

I want those students who desire a life worth living to know that you don’t have to wait – you can start a good life at Washington University. I will not end with my personal understanding of life. After all, meaning is easy to find – you just have to do it yourself. This was one way a life was built at Washington University. I wish you luck building your own.

As traditions dictate, I’m supposed to use this space to dispense some sort of “seniorly” advice, to talk about the things that one realizes only upon completion of their education at Washington University. While I’ll certainly take a stab at trying, I might not be the best person for the job; I haven’t yet wrapped my mind around the idea that I’m finished here, and that I won’t be returning to this beautiful campus in August.

But, to avoid the tendency I have to go on and on about unimportant things, here goes my list of the three things that, in my opinion, each Wash. U. student needs to know:

One: All students should learn to become adaptable. This goes for any number of circumstances, from learning to deal with moving into a new room each year, to – as has happened to me – handling the curveballs life throws you at the last minute. As I write this, I consider May 19 to be my “black hole,” because after that date I have absolutely no idea what I’ll be doing. Full-time work? Columbia University? Yeah, I have no idea.

Four years ago, that uncertainty would have crushed me – I would have been an absolute wreck. Maybe it’s maturity or life experience, but I’m relatively okay with my open-ended future. And I’m fully aware that unexpected things happen all the time in life, and it is my hope that, upon graduating, all other students will have learned to be okay with adapting to unexpected, as well.

Two: Everyone should get out there and experience the St. Louis area – beyond downtown Clayton, the Loop and the Galleria. Did you know that in Collinsville, Illinois, a mere half hour drive from campus, you can find the world’s largest catsup bottle (their spelling, not mine)? Or that you can actually go skiing in Wildwood, a 35-minute drive down I-64 West? Just because St. Louis isn’t a college town of the caliber that Boston is, it doesn’t mean there aren’t cool, unique things around here, and every student should get off campus and see for him or herself.

These last few weeks – likely because I’ve been hyper-aware of the fact that I’m not going to be returning to St. Louis anytime soon – I’ve tried to take in as much as possible, and I wish I had another year to see the stuff I haven’t had time to yet. There are so many hidden gems in this area (fabulous concept restaurants, quirky bars, beautiful parks), that it’s a sin to miss out on them; let’s face it: most graduates don’t stay in St. Louis for very long, and many who leave don’t return for years.

And, finally, on to three: Everyone at Wash. U. should join the staff of Student Life. Okay, so maybe I’m not entirely serious with this one. I don’t really believe that the entire student body should – or should even want to – be a part of this paper. But if there’s one thing that’s defined my undergraduate career here, it’s the time I’ve spent at Student Life.

Those of you who know me know that I was the senior editor of Scene, the features section that takes up the back page every Monday. Each week, the Scene writers and editors would meet up on the Forty in Gregg’s seminar room to brainstorm and assign the upcoming week’s articles. This year, our group consisted of what I often referred to as “about seven girls and Willie,” and I honestly believe I have never laughed as hard in my entire life than I did at regularly Scene meetings. They were a highlight of my week, a fantastic study break, and I know I’ll likely never have as much fun with another group of people.

It’s so strange to think about not returning here next fall and, in a way, even stranger to think I’ve said my final goodbyes to the members of Scene. I will thoroughly miss our Tuesday evening meetings, as well as our end-of-the-semester dinners out, and the “extracurricular” trips Amanda Ogus and I took to Schnucks. I wish all the members of Scene, especially incoming senior editor, Erin Fults, the absolute best of luck.

Though, like I said, maybe Student Life isn’t the right group for everyone on this campus, but the notion can be expanded: everyone should join at least one group. Through involvement in any campus organization, you’re introduced to people you’d likely never come to know otherwise. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to know most of the people I’ve met through Student Life, and my college experience wouldn’t have been as great as it has been. I hope all the members of Scene – Felicia, Jessica, Amanda, Indu, Sarah, Erin, Willie, Archana and Meghan – know how much they’ve meant to me.

While home for a weekend in April, an older friend gave me a piece of advice. “Enjoy the last few weeks of college,” she said, “since college is the best time of your life.”

This was not the first time I’d heard such a statement, but with graduation fast approaching, her words especially struck me. It seemed a bit depressing to reach one’s life peak at a mere 22 years of age, but to her credit, college has been one of the best times in my life so far. I made fantastic friends, took amazing classes, and learned a great deal about myself. But I was also excited for the time after college – moving to a new city, starting a new job, and becoming a “real” person. I hoped that my great expectations were not unfounded.

Then, last week I read a terrific column in Real Simple magazine entitled “100 Years of Attitude,” in which women 100 years and older shared their life experiences and insights. I noticed from reading their stories that none of them remembered college as the “best” time of their life. Granted, not all of them went to college, but still in most cases their teens and twenties were not the best times of their life. They cited as some of their favorite times raising their children, traveling after retirement, and even enjoying their present time and age.

Enjoying one’s present time and age was a clear theme of the testimonials. A consistent piece of advice given by the women regarded the importance of making the best of all situations. I would argue this outlook to be more accurate than that of my friend; I can say with certainty that if I am lucky enough to make it to 100, I refuse to spend the last 80 years of my life plummeting downhill, or even leveling off.

I believe that most of our graduating class would agree. My roommate of three years and I discussed the topic over a glass of wine. We agreed that despite our successes over our WU tenure, we were far from completely fulfilled. Instead, the very nature of our dedication to school and extracurriculars was what also inspired us not to settle with only what we had accomplished over the past four years. It never occurred to either of us that our achievements in college would be the ‘peak’ of our successes.

Much of our growth in college prepared us to take advantage of whatever opportunities arise in our future lives as “real” people, the people we will become in our last 80 years. Over the past four years I have experienced many friendships made and some regrettably lost, spent five months working in a foreign country, and increasingly recognized the changes in my relationship with my parents. All of these developments have made me more able to fully enjoy and benefit from life post-college.

Somehow I do not believe I am alone in my embracement of the100-year-old philosophy. The typical WU student similarly is of determined personality and will turn any undertaking into an accomplishment and find opportunity in any situation. Here, students and faculty both live their life in pure pursuit of a passion, whether artistic, academic, or extracurricular. As a recent example, last week I attended a show displaying the work of WU fashion majors. When I heard them talk about the long nights and challenging assignments, I couldn’t help but think that their pieces were a tangible manifestation of their passion for an area, something so typical of students here. I can hardly wait to see what they do with their next 80 years after college.

As commencement approaches, there will be many hugs and tears among members of our class. I am sure that I will hear at least once more the line quipped by my older friend, that this time is our peak to which the rest of life cannot compare. But as another saying goes, “with age comes wisdom,” and the advice of a few 100-year-old ladies will keep me from subscribing to the doomsday outlook of post-graduation.

For in the end, I am confident that the dedication to the pursuit of passion, nearly universal in the members of our graduating class, will make those of us who leave WU ready to live the next years of our life not solely looking backwards in longing at the college days. Instead, we will look forward in anticipation of our continued journey uphill.

I’m thankful for my family. I’m also thankful for being a brother in the best fraternity on campus, but more thankful for the home away from home that having brothers in St. Louis has given me.

I’m thankful for 13, just because it’s got to be one of the most unique things that happens on any campus around the country.

I’m thankful I was here when I could still bring beer into WILD as a 21-year-old, because I’m confident that in two years, you won’t be able to anymore.

I’m thankful for my intense academic experiences, most notably Text and Tradition and writing a thesis, and that they made me realize that I have absolutely no interest in joining academia at all.

I’m thankful for studying abroad and for the new outlook on international relations, education and myself it gave me.

I’m thankful that my sophomore English teacher in high school told me I couldn’t handle honors English for the next year.

For the same reason, I’m thankful my thesis wasn’t accepted for honors the first time I submitted it.

I’m thankful I’ve seen the beginning of a two state solution in Israel, the death of Yasser Arafat and the emergence of a new, centrist party in Kadima. I’m also thankful for the increasingly likely chance that I’ll be spending next year there.

I’m thankful for the wonderful performing arts department at this school. Will someone please give them the outstanding facilities that they more than merit, especially considering that nearly every other aspect of most productions is professional level?

I’m thankful that I was here when there was still one non-Bon App‚tit affiliated dining area still left on campus, because next year Subway will probably be re-done as a Bon App‚tit-run sandwich shop, which will just be gross.

I’m thankful for the University’s horrible taste in sculpture, if for no other reason than the absolute, last resort conversation starter: what the hell is the deal with the Bunny?

I’m thankful for going to see Garden State one night in August junior year, not for (insert overplayed disparaging remark about Garden State here), but because Molly Antos was there and agreed to give me a position as a columnist, for no apparent reason other than she needed columnists.

I’m thankful for the ability to express my views consistently in a forum that so many more people that I would usually be in contact with have access to.

I am thankful for being here when the Jewish community was at its social and creative peak a few years ago and I am confident that there is enough Jewish diversity on this campus that it will survive its recent trend of being increasingly isolated

I’m thankful that, even though it’s taken about six years, America is finally recognizing that the lying, secrecy and of the George Bush’s administration and the Republican party in general is not a great skill set for running the country.

I’m thankful for the by and large excellent faculty at this school. I’m equally thankful that part of the reason they are so excellent is that they frequently realize that students here have lives outside of class.

I’m thankful that I’m a White Sox fan, because their world championship run last fall still makes me smile when I think about it.

I’m thankful for taking voice lessons for no other reason than I really wanted to and thought it would be interesting. Yes, everyone says it, but it’s true: do something new, or outside your comfort zone during college because, honestly, when else are you going to try?

I’m thankful, of course, for WUTV, even though the ration of “Mean Girls” to other programming has been dropping far too quickly in recent months.

I’m thankful that I graduate with my freshman dorm (Lee) still standing, unlike many of my other friends who are seniors who have had to say goodbye to theirs (Eliot and Koenig, you live on in our thoughts).

I’m thankful that I saw the original Bear’s Den (with Ike’s Place) before it was redesigned as the Max from Saved by the Bell.

Most importantly, I’m thankful to be graduating from college, as terrifying as it is. Because I know that, no matter what happens, at least I’ll have all this to be thankful for.

My college journey started with a 30-hour plane ride. I remember sitting in London’s Heathrow airport, nervous about my decision to spend the next four years of my life in a country that I had never visited, at a school that I had never seen. All I knew about Wash. U. was that they had sent me at least one piece of mail every week-yes, even in India, I was bombarded by those mailings-and that St. Louis was pretty close to Chicago. Looking back now, I am so glad I made this decision. I am fortunate to have had an opportunity that only a few people in my country are able to experience. I have had the chance to be a part of so many worthwhile causes and organizations, both on campus and in the greater community. And finally, I am lucky to have met incredible people during my time at Wash. U., and develop close personal relationships with so many of them over the last four years.

Being an international student has been both the best and the most challenging part of my Wash. U. experience. My friends often joke about the very strong Indian accent that I had when I came here (and still have today!), and the fact that I had never really met a “white person” before I came to Wash. U.. I remember being overwhelmed by American culture when I arrived and not knowing how to react when people made “magic carpet” jokes. However, this has also been a great learning experience, not just the jokes, but sharing my culture with people around me and learning “the American way” to expel some of the ignorance I faced. After finding my niche at Wash. U., the sense of accomplishment I feel now at the end of my time here is extremely rewarding.

When I try to think of one or two things that made the last four years memorable, it is hard to point to anything specific. There have been so many unforgettable experiences: my freshman floor, memories of the old Bear’s Den and Ike’s Place that graduate with our class, the countless opportunities to get involved on campus, Mexican pizzas at Taco Bell, the SWA sit-in, Grey’s Anatomy with my pre-med friends, Diwali, two years of the Dave Ader regime, Thursday nights at Blue Hill and Morgan Street, my last W.I.L.D., forming a close friendship with my sister.I have enjoyed these and many more.

The one thing common to all of these, speaking for myself and the most of the senior class, is the amazing people we have had a chance to get to know. The relationships vary for all of us; they may be your fraternity brothers or sorority sisters, your freshman floor friends, your study partners, people from various organizations that you have met and spent a considerable amount of time with, your advisors, your residents if you were an RA, and your roommates and suitemates. The bottom line is that these friendships defined our time here at Wash. U. It is easy to take these friends for granted. So I encourage all of us, before we leave, to remember to take the time and say thank you. Send an email or write a card saying how much they meant to you. Reminisce some of those moments you shared that you will cherish forever.

It is weird to think that in a matter of a week, all of us will be on our way to something new, something different, something exciting. All of my friends will be in different parts of the world: Seattle, Chicago, London, San Francisco, China, St. Louis, New York. All of us say that we will keep in touch. We will wish we were back in college, and we may even continue some college relationships. But I offer a piece of advice that one of my friends gave me last week regarding life after college has really in my mind:

Take time out to myself. Try and take the next year or so of my life to go out and explore every opportunity available to me. It is about using what I have learned and my experiences over the past four years to find my niche in the real world and establish a base for what we want to accomplish in life. This does not mean breaking off every connection and relationship from the past, but it does mean moving on with an open mind to experience new successes (and failures). This will be something new and maybe even a little scary, but it is the next step we all must take in order to grow. I’m sure that some of you will disagree as I originally did, but I urge all of us to stop and think about this for a moment. This is our time.

The last four years have really flown by. If there is one thing I could tell the underclassmen reading this I would reiterate the clich‚ “to make the most of your time here at Wash. U.,” but also to consciously decide how you want to use your time at Wash. U., and use it well. That way, when you look back at Commencement, you can kick back with a beer and say, “Yeah buddy! I did it!” with no regrets.

To the class of 2006, I guess it’s too late for us to set any more goals for college. I would say let’s go out and be ridiculous because we’re done, but Senior Week pretty much accomplished that. So, let’s be proud. If nothing else, each of us has earned a $160,000 certificate of achievement we can show off to everyone! Celebrate now, try to take time off for yourself, and enjoy the realities of the “real world.”

“A milestone passed, new things begun, dreams as shining as the sun, a goal achieved, a victory won! That’s Graduation!” – Unknown

Cheers and good luck!

I had never heard of Washington University before my sister went here seven years before me. When I told everyone in my high school that I was going here, I was met with a familiar confusion surrounding where I would physically be located. Even today, when I visit my hometown in rural Illinois, some people do not know where I go to school (though a much larger percentage than before now does). The difference between all those instances of time is that now I have the confidence not to care about whether people know how prestigious my undergraduate education was, because I know it was well worth it, and I would not have given it up for anything.

Now I am one of those types of people who have great pride in the groups that they are a part of and strong loyalty to the people with whom I am friends. Thus, it is natural that at the time of my graduation I would have only good things to say about Wash. U. And it is true. I honestly do not think that I have any complaints about my experience here, except for the fact that it always rains on W.I.L.D. and that the lines at Bear’s Den are a tad too long.

If you think about Wash. U. Brand College, it is a very novel concept: take a large number of young adults from every walk of life, force them to live together in both shoddy and brand-new dormitories, require them to learn together as part of a complicated clusters system, incorporate a number of scholarly professors and witty administrators and allow them all to prepare each other for whatever course that life will take them.

The key to this image of Wash. U. is the last phrase. We are all here in our current course of personal development because of those who have been around us for the last four years, whether it was a best friend, a colleague in a student group or sports team, a professor with whom you performed research, an administrator with whom you debated or a partner in a project for a class. Not all of those relationships were pleasant ones, nor were all of them horrific. The important thing to remember is that we had those relationships, and they are now part of what we are and how we think. The abundance of the relationships that I have had here is one of the two most valuable aspects of my college experience. The other is the incredible autonomy with which Wash. U. entrusts its students.

Here at Wash. U., we can form student groups and command control over thousands of dollars of school money. We can produce a show in Edison Theatre entirely by ourselves. We can decide to go throughout all of college and only have to see an advisor when we deem it necessary. We can arrange meetings with administrators whenever we need. Lastly, we can throw parties wherever we want so long as we filled out a space request form first. It is this respect and independence that we are given that leads us to do great things while we are on campus, and it is that feeling of complete control that enables us to have the confidence that will make us successful in the future.

As I think back about all the things that I have done over the last four years, it is daunting to believe so much has happened in such a short time period. The fact that we go around bragging about how many papers, tests, or student group meetings that we have in a given week is proof enough that we are a culture of busy people doing busy things.

I will never forget how long my first 10-page paper in E-Comp took me, and how nervous I was when I turned it in. The interesting part of this story is that that exact feeling came back to me when I was working on my senior honors thesis, though the latter experience was no worse than the former, and both were incredibly worthwhile (after the fact, of course). It just goes to show that over the past four years, we have moved together as a class to bigger and better things, and I do not think the pace of life will be getting any slower in the near future.

At the beginning of freshmen year, we were merely pawns in our student groups, Greek organizations, and intro-level classes. Now we leave as leaders and intellectuals who have been fully branded with the Wash. U. mentality of involvement and service. My experience at Wash. U. can be summarized with one word: confidence. At Wash. U. I have gained the confidence to speak out about issues that I care about, to reach a goal even though others think it could not be achieved, and to follow the life I always wanted. Confidence is an amazing attribute, as it allows you to reach your full potential, and that is what education is all about. Soon many of us will be in graduate school, traveling the world, or working at top firms and corporations. Because of the Wash. U. brand of confidence, we know the only direction we can go is up,

The next time I come across someone who has not heard of Wash. U., I will simply show them this column and ask them to read it. After they are done, they will ask me where it is located, and then they will never forget that we are Washington University in St. Louis.

To the graduates of the Class of 2006: thank you for being the wonderful people that you are and for making me the person that I am today. I am grateful to each and every one of you. Good luck with all the great things you will accomplish.

It is hard to believe that it was nearly five years ago when I first fell in love with Wash. U. It was a hot-really hot-day in August, when I first stepped foot onto campus for my tour..Within the first five minutes, I realized two, very important things. The first, was that Wash. U. was where I wanted to go to college. The second, and equally as important, was that if I was lucky enough to be accepted, I would need to invest in a really good hair straightener because of the intense humidity. People had told me that I would get a feeling when I visited the school where I was supposed to go, and that is exactly what happened as I walked through the Quad. As the tour continued, I hoped that one day I would be able to experience all of the wonderful opportunities which were given to the students here.

The fact that I will soon be leaving is a feeling which is indescribable. Every time I think of leaving this place, I get a lump in my throat, and try my absolute best to hold back my tears. It is difficult to imagine what my life will be like without my best friends just a few feet away, walking to the Loop, enjoying W.I.L.D., or grabbing a late night snack at Bears Den. My time at Wash. U. has easily been the best four years of my life.

During my time here, I gave weekly tours to prospective students and every week, visitors would ask me the same question, “What do I love the most about Wash. U.?” There are so many things which have made my time here some of the happiest and easily the most exceptional experience of my life. While there are countless things which have impacted my time here, it is the people who make Wash. U. what it is. The friends that I have made here are the most amazing people that I have ever met. They are the type of people who light up a room with their presence, can make me laugh without even trying, and are selfless in everything they do. I feel lucky to be able to call them lifelong friends, and I am so proud of everything they have accomplished thus far in their lives. While we may be in different cities in the coming months, I know that you will all succeed in your new endeavors.

I also feel very lucky to have been a member of various student groups during the past four years. I am confident that my college career would not have been nearly as gratifying without having participated in activities outside of the classroom. Through my involvement in Student Union, I have been able to spend four years with students and administrators from every part of campus who all had one goal-to make every undergraduate student’s experience at Wash. U. the best it could possibly be. I knew that I wanted to be a part of the student government even before I stepped foot on campus, but I never imagined what a huge impact it would have on my life. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated, self-motivated, caring individuals through Student Union, and for this, I am endlessly thankful. Student Union and the representatives who make the organization up have helped shape me into the person I am today. Next year, when I teach in New York City, as a part of the Teach for America program, I hope to be an advisor to the Student Council, because I know what a huge impact it can have on a person.

I am so thankful to my family for all of the support, guidance and love which they have shown to me. I feel so lucky that my parents said they would sacrifice anything and everything so that I could attend Wash. U. I am also lucky to be able to call my sister, Melissa, my best friend. I hope that her college experience, which she starts in a few months will be as remarkable as mine has been.

And now, to the Class of 2006: Congratulations on all of your accomplishments throughout the last four (or maybe five) years. Every single one of you has added something unique to our year, and I cannot wait for our reunions to see the amazing things which all of you will do as you leave Wash. U. and head into the real world.

Congratulations and good luck!

And so here I am, staring out into the sun, and graduation, once a mere spark in the distance, has burned through time and space, becoming a flame too close, too hot.

I have stood before, as all of us have, at particular jumping off places in life – first kisses, puberty, driving, proms, school graduations – but none seems much like the place on which I now stand. In the past, after every milestone I could see another one just off in the distance. And if I turned my shoulder back, I could see my parents, friends, relatives all ready and waiting to lend me a hand, or at least a few dollars. But now I see no more milestones. I’m sure, or at least, I hope, more will come my way – a wedding, perhaps children, mid-life crises – but they are not so particularly ordered and ordained as before. People will tell us, as we march across the Quad, that our futures are bright, and so I wish them to be. But staring into so bright a future seems a bit like staring into the sun: temporarily blinding.

I am not fearful. I have, you have, we all have crawled, walked and run through our collegiate years. We’ve discovered the fun and frustration of communal living, trekked endlessly to Bear’s Den, been tantalized by new members of another (or the same) sex, thrown back drinks in a darkened frat or an apartment basement, glimpsed our own reflection in the toilet bowl. We’ve studied all night for all subjects, from p-chem to Petrarch, played IM football, run marathons, started clubs and washed our own laundry. All this, and still time for more.

The “real world” haunts us incessantly, but why? Why does it cast such a shadow? Have we not learned, intuited, discovered enough about life to be ready? No, we haven’t, but that’s the point. Though seniors in college, we are merely children in life, and this is okay. I yearn to see not just 10, 20 or 30 years of life down the road, but 50, 60. I don’t want to know yet who I finally am; when I am ready to enter whatever afterlife may await me, then I will wish to know who I am. I will turn my shoulder back once again and be able to say, “This was me.” But my sun is still rising, and I will look not back but forward, saying, “This will be me.” I do not know what “this” is, but I know that I am ready to find out.

There are, of course, the true soldiers of the real world that will greet us after graduation: homes, taxes, jobs. I cannot discount them, but I cannot be doomed by them. Somehow, somewhere, everyone must confront these issues, and so will I. They may dictate my existence for a few years, and so it must be. To borrow Emerson: “I run eagerly into this resounding tumult.”

In his novel “Underworld,” Don DeLillo writes, “What a wound to overcome, this passage out of childhood, but a beautiful injury too, pure and unrepeatable.” And so it is: as we turn our tassels, we step forever through the door, but we must not close it. We haven’t been children – in the strict sense of the word – in years, but we nonetheless have been living a collective childhood. For what is childhood but a time begun in innocence, lived through discovery and finished by reflection? Our four years of tumbles, turns and triumphs have shaped us into what we both never wanted and always wanted to be: adults.

We will never live like this again, and that truly saddens me. But it comforts me as well, because I know that who I am to be will always hold some piece of who I used to be, and who I used to be was never just me; it was my friends, my companions. And so to you, all of you, I say good luck but not goodbye, because no matter the distance, we will always have hello.