It was an interesting year for my senior year at Rutgers University, a strong network of friends, daily activities and writing has helped me deal with the daily trials and tribulations during my final days there. I've had a great deal of triumphs and regrets during this time, but my wit and optimism are largely intact. I was able to befriend new people who I have come to consider good friends that always bring the best out of me despite my inability to truly express my appreciation and loyalty to them. I was able to find new opportunities to explore new interests by living in an active campus in New Brunswick as well as from friends who showed me there was more to life than just classes, academic organisations, and the mundane crap on television. Most of all, I was able to learn more about myself and what I wanted to be during this past year. Thank you guys and I look forward to staying in touch with many of you for years to come.
Despite these new insights, there were still some regrets during my four years at Rutgers. These regrets were my reluctance to open up in conversations, holding back from befriending interesting people, and wasting time on frivilous activities. What I learned most from these regrets is that I have to change in order to prevent these mistakes from happening again and to continue to better myself. Certain steps I have taken are forcing myself to be more outgoing and open to others, taking more initiative in developing relationships with friends, improving my loyalty among my friends, and being more proactive in exploring my interests and towards self-improvement. It is said that life can be a painful and steep learning curve, but I must continue learning from my problems and achievements if I am to continue my growth as an individual. At today's commencement, Randall pointed out that we are not old until our regrets outweigh our dreams. So far, my dreams and optimism continue to outweigh any regrets and I will continue to have a positive outlook on life while carefully learning about myself, for better or worse.
I will miss the good times and the bad during my four years at Rutgers College. It was a bittersweet graduation, but I was glad to have walked and received my degree alongside friends. I am now a 2006 Rutgers College Alumnus with a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers College and the School of Business. Now, I must look foward to the road ahead.
Optimism.
The things which we in visions see,
Are heralds of the things to be;
For what we dream, we do.
Desires which in our beings burn,
The hopes with which our bosoms yearn,
Are destined to come true
—Colfax Burgoyne Harman
