🖇ALMA MATERS

Today, I am not only congratulating you, the graduates who successfully completed
the additional years of learning in high school, but I am also congratulating your
proud parents and relatives who have been waiting for this very special academic
achievement. It’s normal to feel anxious and maybe scared after today’s celebration
but take it easy. You are all going to be fine! . Now let me ask you graduates, are
you really ready to go out there and face life’s challenges?

Twenty five years ago, I was just like you. I was happy, excited but I also felt fear,
fear of the unknown future, fear of new routine, fear of being in a new school, new
place, and with new friends. But aside from fear, there was also stress.

Fast forward, after many sleepless nights, I am finally graduated, a battlefield I have
won, yet I had one regret which led me to realization no. 2 – Enjoy, make friends
and learn new good things from them. I focused too much on my studies before that
well, you can picture me as the KJ and the most serious one in the group. I’m not
saying it’s bad but seriously it’s not good either. Remember that college is not just
about passing subjects after subjects. Treat it as the place where you can discover
new skills or talents, and a place where you can improve your people skills. Believe
me, you’ll need good people skills when you want to succeed at work someday.

Focus on your studies, get a part-time job if financial resources are not enough. It’s
a must to have fun with friends but it’s never OK to attend class with a hangover. It’s
OK to have a love life, but for girls, remember your father’s face whenever you’re
alone with your boyfriend, for boys, remember your mother’s face. It’s OK to fail
once and twice.Always think about your parents! Try your best not to fail them!

For those of you who will be joining the workforce early, just trust in yourself and
widen your options. Don’t ever think you deserve little just because you don’t have a
college degree. I know high school graduates who are now managing teams in
companies, I know many who are very good in what they do and are now earning
huge, some started early to put up their own small businesses, your options are
actually endless. So I will not ask you again whether you’re indeed ready to go out
there because I know you all are! So just as long as you open your eyes to see
windows of opportunities, be quick and firm with your decisions, always think about
your parents and family who supported you, be friendly out there, believe in yourself
and most importantly, pray to your Allah or God, you’ll all be alright. Thank you and
congratulations!