To the class of 2016

The time has finally come. All those years of studying, writing papers, and taking exams, everything, has now brought you to this moment. You're about to take that big step into what everyone calls... the Real World. The days of getting up early to go to class will now be replaced by the days of getting up to go to work. This is the biggest transition that we will all make in life but I know that you will all succeed in life no matter what it is you do.

Let's be honest, no one is ever truly ready to make the transition from being in school full time to working full time. Some more than others but in my opinion it is toughest transition that you will ever make in life.
Now being ready for it doesn't mean already having a job lined up, already being moved out of your parent's house or anything like that. Now while that is a good advantage to have, I believe that being ready for the real world means that you are able to face what life brings you, both the good and the bad. You're prepared to expect the unexpected and face any challenge life throws at you head on.

You are all young adults, the keyword is young. While it may not feel like it when you look at your underclassmen but you are still young. You have not even reached the prime of your lives yet. Don't have any expectations for this next phase of life. Life is very unpredictable and can and it will throw anything and everything your way. You can't put a timeline or a deadline on your life. And by that mean telling yourself okay I have to be doing this by this time and that by that age. I believe that it is not about the destination but about the journey and I also believe that since most of our life is a journey we might as well make it bearable and not put limits on it. Let things go naturally and eventually it will all fall into place.

If you don't have a job right now don't be discouraged, just keep looking and you'll find what you're looking for. If you still haven't moved out of your parent's house, don't be down on yourself. 1) be thankful that you have a place to stay when there are others out there sleeping on the street and 2) keep looking. You'll find the right place to call your own. Life is not meant to be easy and it is the hardest test you will ever have to take (yes, even worse than a Biochemistry exam) but don't let that scare you. Be excited as you are about to take on the biggest challenge ever and that you will make the best out of whatever life has to offer.

Now before I conclude I just wanted to make it clear that I AM NOT part of the class of 2016. I still have another year to go. You may ask then why did you write this? Well for one I have many friends that are a part of the graduating class and wanted to address them as well as everyone else. And another reason is that they are the ones that will lead by example and that I will look to when my time comes to graduate.

Now to my friends who are/have already graduated, I wish you all the best of luck in this next phase that we call life. To my close friends at MSU, I am proud of all of you for making it to this moment, wish you all the best and will miss you all very much next year. To the class of 2016, congrats on making it to this moment and good luck as you venture out into the real world!!

Thank you Class of 2016!