BY: Lashundra Daniels
Walking the stage for graduation after dedicating yourself to four-plus years of course work is a badge of honor. As college students, we spend countless hours studying, completing assignments and reading textbooks. Why? I assure you that the reason is not merely boredom. All of us have different reasons that inspire our relentless efforts, but our end goal is the same. That goal is to receive a degree at the end
For some of us, walking across a stage and receiving applause means everything, while it means absolutely nothing to others. The standing ovation does not excite them because they know their degree was earned by hard work and dedication. Why dress up and spend money on an outfit just to walk across a stage and receive a degree in front of people who were not as dedicated to your success as you were?
I will tell you why: You deserve the applause, the streams, the looks and the outfit. There were a thousand things you could have done with your time over four years, yet you stayed the course and committed yourself to studying, completing projects, attending study sessions and earning a degree.
Don’t let the opportunity pass you by. Walk that stage gracefully and hold your head high. Not all of us have the same aspirations and dreams. We all entered college with an end goal, and I know that a great percentage of those who started college with you might not be leaving with you. That is okay. Everybody has different obstacles they must overcome in life, and you, my fellow Warhawk, have managed to overcome this hurdle and are on a fast track to your destiny.
I encourage you to wear your degree with pride. Walk that stage as if it is a small stepping stone that can lead you to your dreams. If you have managed to make it through four-plus years of college, why not walk the stage and wear your accomplishments like a badge of honor for the world to see?