Young Roots

By April 3, 2016Archives, Opinion

Post Grad Speech

Johanne R. Macob

By Johanne R. Macob

 

MY Facebook newsfeed has been filled with graduation/recognition/completion posts the past days. There were by proud parents who uploaded numerous pictures of their kids along with medals/ribbons/certificates and other proofs of achievement; by graduates themselves who shared grad pictures showing them mostly with their friends. And there were also the “throwback” grad pictures like mine. We couldn’t help but have that feeling of pride and fulfillment knowing how we were able to finally tick one important level in our life and earn that right to move up to the next.

One of the outstanding finishers of junior high school who’s very dear and close to me was my eldest niece. She recently completed Grade 10 at the top of their class. Watching her from afar during their moving up ceremony somehow made me melancholic and made me remember my own high school graduation. I was blessed given the privilege to deliver the valedictory speech and though I couldn’t remember my speech, I’m certain it had a very enthusiastic tone, very excited about life after high school. I was that girl who had a lot of dreams. I was full of idealism.

Though some of my ideals might’ve left me when I was in college, I must say that I still had in me then a significant amount of self-esteem. My grades were good, I was always been included in scholars’ recognition semester after every semester. To cut the story short, I graduated with flying colors from one of the best, if not the best universities in the country. I could not help but feel a sense of pride. I actually had my hopes and ideals high in regard my next track.

But that was almost four years ago. Since then, I have caught myself overthinking things. I have often ask myself what happened to all my dreams or what has been happening to my life, in general. I get to be in those moments when I feel inadequate, not being able to do what I had expected of myself when I was younger. I only feel liberated of these thoughts when I meet up with my college buddies, realizing that my sentiments are okay since they feel the same way. Also, I now find comfort in reading inspirational articles that lessen the pressure I impose on myself.

So if I were to deliver a post graduation speech now, I’d tell my fellows not only to follow their dreams, but also to accept life in the real world. But, it’s not because I’m discouraging anyone from being idealistic self or to stop dreaming because we will never reach those dreams. I’m saying we can and we will, but it cannot happen soon or as we like them to be, and that it is okay if it doesn’t happen. Life is a big playing field where we sometimes win, and sometimes we lose. Sometimes the games get cancelled, oftentimes the games seem unfair. Despite these realities, what I learned is that we should never stop playing while we can.

At 24 years old, I still do not exactly know where I should be headed, but I don’t stop learning. I may not figure out everything but at least I am moving. In a few months now, with God’s grace, I’ll be earning my Master’s degree then I will pursue my childhood dream – to study law. That’s it. I still don’t have the answers to all the questions I have for myself but I just keep on telling myself, “That’s okay.” It’s great to work hard, but not be too hard on ourselves.

Anyway, congratulations to all the graduates and to their parents!

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