A Message to the Class of 2024 from the Class of 2020
I’m going to begin by expressing a sentiment that I’m sure you’re all feeling.
This sucks.
When COVID-19 rudely interrupted last year, my class — the class of 2020 — quickly labeled ourselves as the greatest victims of the pandemic because it ruined our senior year.
In hindsight, but even then, this was incredibly self-centered. Many of us initially didn’t consider the loss of life and livelihoods. Even in the context of college, however, the class of 2020 is not the greatest victim.
That would be all of you.
Not only did you have to end high school with unexpected virtual learning and drive-thru graduations, now you have to begin college under the most daunting circumstances in recent history.
Acknowledging this, I don’t really know what I could possibly say to make this particular moment of your lives feel better. But I’m going to try.
In 2009, when most of you would have been around seven years old, Miley Cyrus released a song titled “The Climb.” In it, she sings:
“Ain’t about how fast I get there / Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side / It’s the climb.”
I’m here to tell you that Miley Cyrus is 100% correct.
College is hard. Many of you have traveled far to live at an expensive institution with strangers. (Or, some of you are paying tens of thousands of dollars and living in your childhood bedrooms.)
On top of this, you’ll regularly be asked in college to do things you’ve never done before. And that is under normal circumstances, and we’re not under normal circumstances.
I don’t want to glorify hardship. No one wants this for you. What I do want is that you not only overcome your freshman year, but also that you enjoy it.
When you become successful, I hope that you won’t look back on this year — or these years — as just something you had to live through. Rather, I hope this experience helps form you into a person who you want to become. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll make some happy memories too.
That is my first piece of advice. My second is related. Adopt an attitude of thankfulness.
This might sound ironic, considering I started my message by writing “this sucks.”
By taking away many of our privileges, this pandemic has made me realize — made many of us realize — how much there is to be thankful for.
When Mr. Rogers, who I hope you are all old enough to remember, would give a speech — in the middle of it — he’d ask the audience to take 10 seconds to “think of the people who have helped you become who you are.”
So, as you begin one of the most challenging times of your lives, I’m going to ask you to take 10 seconds to think of the people who have loved and supported you. I’ll watch the time.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Four seconds.
Five seconds.
Six seconds.
Seven seconds.
Eight seconds.
Nine seconds.
Ten seconds.
My third piece of advice is to be bold.
It doesn’t seem like it now, but you will adapt to college. To their own detriment, many college graduates don’t grow beyond this.
College provides you with opportunities to do things you may never be able to do again. Don’t let intimidation, or complacency, stop you from taking these opportunities.
Don’t be a stranger! For reporting on Congress and pop culture takes, follow me on Twitter @Sean_Newhouse1. For explainers on current events and photos from when I studied abroad two years ago, follow me on Instagram @snewhouse31.
Lastly, speak out when something is wrong.
One of the greatest quotes in the English language comes from philosopher Edmund Burke, who said: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing.”
If all of us took the time to truly think about all that is wrong in the world, we wouldn’t be able to function. So, focus on what’s wrong in your world.
Learn how national and international injustices affect you and the people around you.
Hopefully, you’ve recognized by now that the people who are older than us are not all-knowing. Question always.
Get into — as the late civil rights leader John Lewis would say — “good trouble.”
If you do not speak out now, I guarantee you will not speak out later.
That is my advice to you: Miley Cyrus is 100% correct, adopt an attitude of thankfulness, be bold, speak out when something is wrong.
Before I conclude, though, I need to acknowledge those of you who were like me at this time — those of you who have been patiently, or impatiently, waiting until college to come out.
Now, maybe you’re not sure if you want to because of the overwhelming uncertainty. I know this isn’t what you expected, and you’re probably scared and, perhaps, angry. But I promise you, this will pass. Remember there are so many people who love you, more than you know.
College can be isolating, whether you’re in a closet or not. It might not seem like it at times, but remember there are so many people rooting for you. Find those people.
In closing, I want to leave you with some words said by our friend from the hundred-acre wood Winnie-the-Pooh.
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Welcome to what I hope will be some of the best years of your lives.
