Graduation Speech

For my university's graduation ceremony (a.k.a. commencement), students are able to send in an application be the speaker for the ceremony. Naturally, I had also submitted an application, although I was not selected. However, I just wanted to share the speech I had written here:

“Next station, Five Points – interchange station.” Ladies and gentlemen, here we are, after a long journey through our undergraduate career, we have finally arrived at our destination; an interchange station - a junction where we embark on another route in the journey of our lives.

Initially, when writing this speech, I was going to portray today’s milestone more as a terminus station, the end point of our undergraduate lives. However, I felt that this would be an injustice to the significance of today as it marks culmination of one journey, but more importantly it marks the initiation of another, like an interchange station.

I’m sure most of you, like me, would lucidly remember the start of your freshman year. Sitting in the Fox theater, with a genuine mixed emotion of excitement and anxiousness, wondering what life has in store for us. Back then, the mere thought of graduating seemed to be an eternity away. And yet, here we are. Three, four, five…maybe even six years later...standing in front of our loved ones, next to wonderful friends who, at the start of this entire journey, were probably just strangers.

No doubt, you will all be reflecting upon your college life; the easy times, the hard times, the memorable times, those not so memorable <chuckle> and those that cannot be described in words. Unique memories that have shaped you into the person you are today. As we look ahead to our future, it is important that we remember the past, remember our roots and reflect upon where we came from and the journey that has brought us to where we are now.    

Remember those who have touched your lives, and those who have gone out of their way to help you. Remember the people who stood by you during the hard times, and forgive those who didn’t. Remember those that made you laugh, and remember those that made you cry. For all these people, collectively, would have given you a peek at the different flavors of life.

And hence, as we all gather here today, I would like to impart a few messages. My first message is to embrace change. Just compare today’s world to the world back in freshmen year. A lot has changed within these few years. And be ready for more changes, as change is inevitable. The biggest change, in my opinion, is the flattening of our world, as geographical, political and cultural boundaries are blurred and the world has become a closer-knit network, thanks to the internet. So embrace the change ladies and gentlemen.

<Slight pause>

A stereotypical graduation speech always stresses upon the fact that today’s youth, is tomorrow’s leaders. And this, I would say, is completely true. We have the power to change the world, and this power has increased with the internet. Use this power responsibly, in order to create a better world.

Each and every one of us has the ability to shape our own lives. Don’t get bogged down with what is expected of us, or what other people are doing. Don’t let someone else’s definition of success fuel your goals. Yes, always aim for the stars, but don’t let it pull you down if you miss. For at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that you and your loved ones are happy.

And remember, there is absolutely nothing wrong with going against the tide. Sometimes, you may need to divert from the mainstream, in order to get to where you want to be. Just like Robert Frost once wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I / I took the one less travelled by, / and that has made all the difference”.

Lastly, stay young my dear friends. Keep learning, and never sell yourselves short. For you are all a Ramblin’ Wreck and one hell of an engineer! You are now equipped with a world class degree, taught by some of the best minds in the world, alongside future world leaders. Always remember that, as you take your first few steps to make something of yourself. Seize the day, my fellow classmates, Carpe Diem!

Go Jackets!