Graduation and the Start of School

Over last weekend, I attended my girlfriend’s college graduation, which makes it the only graduation I have attended, and it was awesome. I am always impressed at how amazing all the graduates are. My girlfriend is a double major in economics and biology, and I cannot completely qualify how in awe I am how much work and effort went into completing her undergraduate degree. It gave me pause to think that I am in great company. Dan and Alice also graduates of UW and Paul will be soon. They are all so smart and so dedicated. I feel that there truly is something that sets apart those who have graduated, that they have already achieved so much and understand so much and have committed so much at such a young age. To be proud seems condescending, I am more at awe. I am reminded when seeing my friends and my girlfriend that these are the people that give me hope for the world. They are spectacular pillars of what is good and right for the world. I really hope that the world gives them the opportunity to change it.

Seeing them, I also thought about my own academic career or lack thereof, I guess. I do not want to go into all the details, but due to a series of unfortunate events in which I couldn’t really handle at the time, my stay in the halls of learning was short lived. Yet, this summer, June 25th really, I will be going back to try and complete everything. I am intimidated by the idea. I’ve been gone so long that simple math seems hard to me now, never mind calculus. It’s strange how much time changes some things. I used to be so confident in my academic abilities. Now, man, if I can just remember to dot my I’s and cross my t’s I’ll be happy.

Yet, I am inspired by what I witnessed at the graduation. So many people were there, so much potential. They were people who have already done amazing things. I read some of their bio’s and the things they have achieved. They were all amazing people. I want to be like them. It was a wonderful thing to attend for the restart of my own college career. I think that that’s how college should start for everyone, witnessing the end of it. It gives people a goal to shoot for. It’s like reading the questions on a test before reading the passage to find the answers. It helps you navigate things.

It certainly helped me. Hopefully, I’ll get through it ok.

At the very least, have wonderful graduate friends who can help point the way.

-Wei
weikong@fluffy-muffin.com