By Itai Njanji, Staff Writer
Sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming. I ponder all night how we got here. I remember friends that did not make it out of the trenches of homework, all-nighters, exams and Independent Study. They fell short and dropped out of college. They used to be called students, but now they are dropout statistics gathering dust in the Dean’s office.
I can see the horizon. The sun is slowly setting for the class of 2011. But for others, it is the beginning of a journey worth noting some lessons. So here are the lessons from a graduating senior:
1. Remember why you are here.
I read once that opportunities favor those who are most prepared for them. This statement is true, particularly in academics. Everything that one does in life is preparation for something.
The only difference is that some students are doing things that set them up for disaster while others are building dreams. There is not any magic lottery ticket when you graduate.
Each and every one will reap what they sowed. It’s better you wake up and smell the coffee now because it’s brewing every day.
Having said that, I hope that whatever you do at Wooster is preparing you for the reasons why you came to Wooster in the beginning.
2. Failure is inevitable.
Yes, I have said it and I will say it again: failure is inevitable. Wooster is going to challenge you. You will fail at some things.
Obviously, the level of failure differs from student to student. However, the point is not failure; rather it is how you deal with it.
Remember that most people who you call world-changers today were once called failures by others. Failure to me means fail until you reach excellence.
3. School is easy but College is hard.
This statement seems to be a contradicting statement. Let me to explain what I mean.
Schooling entails academics, which includes going to class, doing homework and such things. These things require discipline and a driving force. If you are at Wooster, I have no doubt you are capable of it.
However, college involves life experiences. It involves schoolwork, and many other things such as relationships, groups you join, family issues, alcohol, sex and money.
These things will drag you down. Literally, run and breathe because you are still alive. Go outside and sing at the top of your lungs. Find an outlet for all this pressure and let yourself free.
This is the beginning of adulthood. This is the time to start anew. Embrace these new experiences. Expose your weak side. Show your strong side.
The trick in these situations is to choose between allowing such events to make you or break you. I used these events to make me, and I hope you do the same thing.
After all has been said and done, Wooster is a great place to start your career. It calls into question the idea that you need an Ivy League education to obtain great opportunities in life.
Believe me on this one, or wait until your time comes and you will see it. From now on, you will make mistakes, but enjoy the experiences and learn on the way.
Without those mistakes, the rewards would not seem so deserved. Good luck and hopefully I will see you at alumni dinners in the future.
Itai Njanji is a contributor to the Voice and can be reached for comment or questions at†††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† INjanji11@wooster.edu.