Four years ago when I enrolled at NYU, people would always reluctantly tell me, “Are you sure you want to go there? NYU is such a big school. You’ll be such a small fish in a big sea…” And to be honest, at the start of my undergraduate career, they were right. I agreed with these people; I felt lost and shy in the overwhelming sea that is New York City – suddenly thrown into the deep-end with no choice but to swim aimlessly until I find my way. Initially, I was just a helpless little freshman whirling my way through my new life, hoping to make it through successfully without being eaten by sharks. And even though I took the plunge and made the move across the country, I was still terrified once I got there.
Now, however, I’ve just graduated proudly from NYU at Yankee Stadium with a bachelor’s degree and a one-way ticket to the real world. I no longer feel like the small, timid fish who just began to grow into his fins four years ago. Yesterday at the ceremony, I looked around me to my classmates, and rather than thousands of little fish, a triumphant sea of vivid violet washed over Yankee Stadium. Graduation caps soared in the air as woven tassels swayed in countless directions, collectively creating what looked like a rushing tide of purple waves, confidently crashing. At that moment, as we all basked in this whirlwind of a celebration, we were no longer students forced to navigate through NYU’s unpredictable waters. We were the helpless “little fish,” no longer. Together we joined, and became the “big sea.”
As the graduating class of 2016, we came together and seized our momentous accomplishment. In doing so, we shed the juvenile scales that marked our roles as the once helpless little fish, just learning how to breathe under water. Four years later, I can speak on behalf of my fellow graduates that we have swam far enough, long enough, and deep enough to not only become acquainted with the rush of the tide, but to become one with it.
As I reflect upon my time at NYU, now as an alumnus, I think about all of the remarkable experiences I have had – the celebrations, the heartbreaks, the discoveries, and the triumphs, and all of the eclectic, inspiring people I have met – from intelligent professors to intimidating bosses, and from genuine friends to eye-opening acquaintances, who all come from a variety of distinct backgrounds and beliefs. Now, I feel as though I see the world through a new lens with multiple dimensions – a point of view I was not exposed to before turning the page to this wondrous, crazy chapter. I have discovered my authentic self with confidence and pride, and as a result, I continuously strive to open my eyes to adopt a more embracing perspective on life.
As a result of all this, I have a response for those people who were afraid for me to dive into the scary deep-end that is New York City, who warned me of the potential dangers of exploring an unfamiliar realm far beyond my comfort zone:
Fear was the best emotion I experienced during my college life – because as it seems, from fear and initial hesitation arises the potential for ultimate courage and growth. But if we don’t move past that initial fear, close our eyes, and dive with faith, we’ll never know what possibilities await us in the new unknown. When becoming acquainted with frighteningly new environments, we face obstacles that make us feel like we just might drown. Yet, if we let go of what we cannot control, ride with the wave, and embrace our circumstances, allowing the wind to guide us and blow in the direction in which it’s meant to, life can unexpectedly lead us to people, places, situations, emotions, thoughts, discoveries, and truths that we never set out to find, but that we are meant to encounter.
Lastly, I’ve learned that no matter where the tide may turn, we must be grateful – grateful for our gains and for our losses, for our triumphs and for our failures, for the lessons learned along the way, and especially for our fears – because without our fears, we would have nothing to conquer.
So on that note, thank you: Thank you to all those who feared for me, who warned me, who almost made me reconsider moving to the wonderfully terrifying city of New York four years ago. Because of you, I have come out the other side stronger, more resilient, and more empowered than before. And to those who have supported me and encouraged my move to NYU all along, to vigorously chase after my dreams no matter how farfetched or unlikely they may be – thank you. I am truly humbled by your confidence and faith in me.
Because now, as I cross the threshold into the “real” world – past NYU’s once daunting, now comforting streets, I’d be lying if I said I’m not afraid. Of course I’m afraid. But as I prepare to embark on my next journey in life, I reflect upon the one most valuable lesson I learned in college: if it weren’t for my experience as a little fish, I would have never become the sea.
