New Chapter

Tomorrow is my first day at work.

When I look back at 2020, whether it be a year from now...5 years from now...20 years from now...the words that will come to mind will be: turbulent, life-changing, momentous, family, stress and opportunity. I wish I could recall how I felt the day before I began college, which happened to be around four years ago today. I must have just conveniently forgotten the stress, anxiety and nerves that I most definitely felt. I am riddled with those same emotions tonight as well. My expectations for myself are always high. My parents are overjoyed with me starting work tomorrow, and I wish I could share their enthusiasm more. I am incredibly excited and looking forward to this new phase of my life, and am beyond thankful for having this opportunity that has allowed me to stay in Singapore and be at home with my parents...however I have yet to come to terms with the fact that my undergraduate experience has concluded...

...those moments of just sitting with my friends at the George Sherman Union...saying good morning to Robert - my favorite security guard at 33 Harry Agganis Way...adding a heaped whipped cream topping to my vending machine dispensed hot chocolate at the dining hall on a random Thursday afternoon...those moments that didn’t warrant a second thought...that were just part of my daily routine...that I just took for granted...are all I can think about.

Perhaps it is because I didn’t have a traditional farewell to my college years. In lieu of the pomp and circumstance that typically ensues with graduation, I have instead a slightly bent diploma and about a hundred made-up scenarios of the chaos, excitement, tears that would have occurred during senior breakfast, our last ever night in our dorm, and of course standing on Marsh Plaza with our bright red gowns shining in the warm, May sun. I look to my first day at work tomorrow not only as the beginning of a new chapter in my life, but also as a way of providing closure to my four years at Boston University. I grew so much over the four years I spent at BU. I met my best friends...people who I love and care for so deeply...and people who I cannot imagine sharing my life without.

We are all now starting a new phase in our lives, and I wish we were able to celebrate this and commemorate this pinnacle moment together. I would not be the individual I am today if not for the support of my family and friends. The moments we shared at the dining hall over apple crisp...on the third floor of Mugar Memorial Library finishing homework assignments...being stressed together during exam weeks...crying over a first love...admiring the handsome athletes in the study lounge...all of these moments helped shape who we are today. No, the last four years weren’t always easy. Yes, they were challenging, demanding, taxing. But, I would do it all again. In a heartbeat. Even the worst of it. Especially the worst of it. But, as I am constantly reminded, my college experience, while shortened due to a global pandemic (still in denial, even months later), has run its course.

However, I have friendships that will forever remind me of the four most wonderful years. And for that, I am thankful. With that, I look forward to building new relationships that will provide me with the same support, encouragement and motivation that my friends at BU did.

And to my college friends - I miss you dearly and I hope for the very best in your new chapter. If we were able to survive jaywalking on Commonwealth Avenue, finding a seat on the second floor study lounge during finals season, and catching the BU bus...I have very high hopes for all of us.

I’ll drink to that.