Your Accomplishment is a Lifetime Commitment
I have been reflecting a lot on the power of rituals, tradition, and affinity as seniors in both high school and college ‘graduate’ but missed some milestone moments as their experiences ended early. As a higher education professional, scrolling through Instagram and Facebook today, I cannot even count on the number of ‘congrats!’ or ‘I am proud of you,’ comments that I have left. I have honestly cried a little with every comment. Knowing that I may never see some of these students in person again (I better see some of you again). I also reflect at this moment that if I feel this way, they must be heartbroken. So, for my students that read this, and students across the country, I have some words for you:
Own this moment- while your time on campuses and schools across the country have been cut short, you still accomplished so much. Focus on all your accomplishments. When you look back at this moment, try not to think about the negatives. Try to remember your friends, family, small moments, significant moments, brothers, and sisters. Focus on the moments that will be in your memory for a lifetime because those moments are valid and unique. I encourage you to journal tonight. Write down your top 10 memories from the last four years; from this year. Put that journal entry somewhere special. Own this moment. This moment is valid.
Celebrate now, celebrate later, celebrate often- I wish someone had told me this a long time ago. Your accomplishments matter and no one needs to celebrate you more than you do. Your graduation is not the first accomplishment in your life, and it will not be your last. Celebrate this huge accomplishment, reminisce on the good times, and name your feelings. You might be upset; you might be excited; you might be a little bit of everything. Own it, name it, celebrate it.
Challenge yourself always- This chapter might be over, and it most likely was a challenge every single day in some way but never stop knowing that if it doesn’t challenge you, it will not change you. The world we live in right now is a little scary. Your senior year was cut short, there is a virus that is killing thousands of people, and the job market is not looking bright. Nevertheless, do not let that get you down. Be realistic, set goals, and step outside your comfort zone.
Learn your boundaries early- ‘Yay!’ you are a graduate! Now you are going to step into this world and maybe go on to get additional certifications and degrees, maybe to get your dream job, perhaps to travel; well, eventually. Enter a sad face here. Start to understand what gives you energy, what drains you, and mostly what empowers you. Once you start to learn these boundaries, life gets easier. I am not saying life is not hard, but it makes it easier to say yes to things that will ultimately challenge you and power you, and no to things that drain you and bring you down.
It’s not just about who you know, but how you genuinely get to know people- my last bullet here is all about connection. It is about networking. It is about mentoring. It is about accepting help. It is about genuinely knowing people. It is about being nervous to ask why and how but doing it anyway to learn. As you enter your next chapter in your life, never miss an opportunity to make a new friend. The world we live in (now more than ever) has been automated, to be swipes, DMS, Zoom meetings, and heads down; not up. I challenge you to be the person down the street that smiles at a stranger. Shakes the hand (well maybe after a vaccine and social distancing are over) and has an in-depth conversation about your dreams to a new person. Follows up with new friends, colleagues, and acquaintances because you never know where that connection will take you. You never know if that new person will become your ticket to a new job, a new love, and a new journey. You never know if that new connection will be the new challenge that makes you a stronger, better human being.
Lastly, know that your affinity and connection to your schools and colleges matter; your affiliation with a sports team, fraternity, sorority, or other extracurricular activity matters. Notice I say that in the present. It matters. It will always matter. How you choose to carry yourself through your life reflects the values, lessons, and connections that left an imprint on you. Your accomplishment of graduating and so many other small moments throughout these four years are a lifetime commitment. These connections and values do not just stop with a cut short senior year. These affiliations last a lifetime. For some, these affiliations will last more than a lifetime as your legacy will continue.
My final note is a charge to you that you value your experiences, celebrate them, and own them, and you stay involved with your affiliations. That you remain engaged and you give back. Your schools, universities, chapters, teams, and organizations gave you connections and opportunities, something bigger than yourself. Do not forget that. As you enter your next stages in life, find time to reflect on how you can honor your university, mentor younger people, and give back to this world.
Let’s be honest, I probably would say a big F*@# this if I were my 2010 senior self, if I was in your shoes. But, ten years after my undergraduate career, I want to say welcome. Welcome to life after your senior year, and know that we are all here to watch you succeed in your next steps in life. Cheers, class of 2020!
