Taking off

I would be lying if I say that five years in the university was enough to learn new things and to discover new passion. With graduation, leaving is a lot more than just waving goodbye; it also means bringing five years of exploring to a wondrous end.

You see, school wasn’t just a bunch of theories and boring classes. It has taught us one of the most important things we have to know as individuals, and that is to keep looking for opportunities. Like any warrior, we have learned that the “Just do it” mantra is not just a slogan but a reminder that opportunity knocks at our door only once. We either grab it or let it go. Likewise, we have learned that when one door closes, another one opens—maybe not right away, but soon enough. Proper timing may be key, but truth be told, there will never be a “right time.” We make that “right time” happen.

Many would say that they took time in their own hands and made something happen, but it didn’t work out the way they wanted it to. The thing is, life is made up of trial and error. Hardly anyone gets it on the first try. It takes years of practice, never overnight, to perfect a craft. Patience is a friend to all, and failing shouldn’t stop anyone from trying again. In fact, failing drives us to try harder. It teaches us to become tougher, more resilient, and wiser beyond our years.

Obstacles groom us to become ever-persevering persons who never say “no” to a challenge. In between early-morning cramming and notorious all-nighters, we have prayed hard to ace that midterm exam, or to complete a thesis on time. And we have realized that not everything will be in our favor.

College taught us that we can’t have it all. Despite our perseverance, the universe somehow always places us on the spot, and lets us know that we can’t always win. At times we lose, but that’s okay. Losing isn’t a sign of weakness; in fact, losing is admitting that there’s always room for improvement, and that we’re willing to use that extra push to make a better version of ourselves.

Graduation is here, but we do know that learning doesn’t stop outside the university. Every day is an opportunity to learn. Our university life has only prepared us for our initial foray into a world of uncertainty. The rest is up to us, to figure out a way to confront our fears and raise the bar. We just have to keep looking, to keep trying and to keep improving, so that we can be better individuals facing the real world.

We, the graduating class of 2015, are the embodiment of our parents’ dreams and our mentors’ legacy. As we move on to another chapter of our lives, to another adventure, let’s not forget to dream big and make things happen. After all, the world is ours.

Daphne Ashley Sze, 21, is graduating from De La Salle University with a degree in applied economics and applied corporate management. She says she “enjoys traveling and creating her own adventures.”