Last Monday, I and other members of the Class of 2022 graduated from Yale! It was a crazy, fun, bittersweet weekend. I found myself both lingering on all the college memories and itching to start the next chapter. I’m guessing this is a pretty common sentiment among Yalies. We are all sad to leave, but excited to take what we’ve learned and run with it. After all, the graduation ceremony isn’t called Graduation–it’s called Commencement.
To commence is to begin. Even though we are leaving Yale, commencement is about celebrating all the things we’ve learned and friends we’ve made. It’s about honoring the collection of classes, people, places, and activities that have turned us into who we are today: bright young graduates poised to begin a new chapter. In no particular order, here are a few of the things in my Yale collection which have made me into the person I am today.
The Yale Symphony Orchestra. The organization that gave me endless musical inspiration and a group of amazing friends. Read more of my thoughts about it here, here, and here. Oh, and also here. :)
The YSO senior lunch
Sterling Library. Not a joke! I probably spent more time here than any other place on campus in my 4 years here. And I definitely experienced a wild range of emotions, from excitement to relief to stress. Sterling was there for me through it all, and it sure is beautiful.
Camped out in the philosophy reading room!
Yale dining halls. Countless conversations, laughs, and mugs of soup. Dining halls are where some of my most cherished friendships were cultivated. Moving into my adult life, I will never underestimate the power of a good meal around a table.
This trio of friends is sponsored by Berkley Dining Hall
Yale’s art museums. Whether I was there for a class or just because, the art museums at Yale provided me with solace and a sense of wonder, no matter what else was happening in my life. I learned that the quiet power of art is a grounding force for me, and I hope to become an active member of local museums when I move to New York City in the fall.
From my most recent 20-minute stop at the YUAG in the midst of finals
Every class and professor that taught me something or posed a question that helped me discover my interests and find my own path. It could have been a random slide in a lecture, or a prolonged seminar discussion, or an entire syllabus. But every single nugget of information (even the ones I’ve forgotten by now) helped me progress from “what the heck am I doing with my life” to “I sort of know, like a little bit, what I’m doing with my life.” And I would consider that a great success.
Yale, it has been a pleasure and a gift. Now, let’s commence!
The sun sets over campus and senior year :,)
