We progress through life in stages. In each stage, we dedicate all of our time toward preparing ourselves for the next one. That’s what I’ve experienced in life so far, at least, and I don’t predict that this notion will change any time soon.
I am incredibly fortunate to have received such an extensive education, and I continue to indulge in academic endeavors. Due to schooling, many stages of my life have been marked by a graduation. For instance, I was enrolled in pre-kindergarten at four years old, where I was prepared for kindergarten. I graduated from pre-k and finally reached the milestone of kindergarten, which then prepared me for first grade. This cycle continued throughout my life — throughout elementary school, into high school, now college, and I’m sure that it will extend onward. Each stage ended with graduation, and then a new stage began.
That’s when the classic question comes into play — is graduation an end, or is it a beginning?
Many people will say that it’s both, while I’m sure that others may think that it’s one and not the other. Personally, I think that everything in life is a cycle. When one thing ends, another begins. The same is true for graduation — when one of life’s stages ends, it lends itself to the commencement of another.
Sadly, I don’t remember my preschool or kindergarten graduations at all, I just know that I was very excited for them. Everything tends to be more exciting when you’re a child, normally because you’re experiencing life through innocent eyes. However, I remember my eighth grade graduation very well. I was valedictorian, so I had the wonderful opportunity of standing in front of an audience filled with family and friends and giving a speech. I’ve always loved giving speeches, probably since it’s akin to performing in my mind. I also have a knack for writing them, and I have always enjoyed doing so. And, of course, how could I forget my high school graduation? Aside from the fact that it happened quite recently, it occurred under very unconventional circumstances, and I technically graduated from high school twice. The first ceremony was virtual — I attended it in my white gown and heels on a rolling chair in my basement. The second ceremony was two months later, socially distanced and in-person with no family present.
People are normally sad to graduate, but I must confess that I never was. I’ve always had an understanding that almost everything in this life is temporary. Nothing lasts forever, so it’s important to enjoy the current stage of life that you’re in before it ends, and a new one begins. We get so caught up in preparing for what’s next that we don’t realize how fast life flies by.
As the senior students at Stevens graduate, I wish them the best of luck on their next journey in life. Even though I’m only a freshman right now, I understand that I’ll be in their shoes, graduating, faster than I’d care to admit. After all, this is my last time writing with the mind of a freshman. In a few weeks, the semester will end, and I’ll be officially acknowledged as a sophomore; my time writing for this column will have expired. However, an end is always the sign of a new beginning, and as the cycle of life rotates in full spin, who knows what column I’ll end up writing for next!!
Mind of a Freshman is an Opinion column written by a current first-year Stevens student to discuss life experiences during their time at Stevens, and other related subject matter.
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