For the last four years, I've felt at home. In fact, I ended up living in the Italian House on Bay State Road the entire time I as enrolled in university. Let's just say, I felt very comfortable and saying goodbye has been very difficult.
For the last week, I've had a lot of time to reflect on the last four years on the whole. Even as I've set off to Milan for part of my grad trip (I'm actually writing this in Italy right now), my mind has still been focused on the way my life has changed thanks to Boston University.
We'll keep the gushy stuff to a minimum, but I'll be frank - Boston University changed my entire life. I was fortunate enough to attend a boarding school and I thought that my eyes were opened and I was enlightened there, but in reality it was Boston University that opened my eyes and my mind to the world. Not even from the classes or experiences, but just from the people that I was fortunate enough to meet. Even if we weren't friends or we were just acquaintances, everyone with whom I came across with taught me a lesson.
From the beginning, I learned that not everyone is nice. I learned there are some serious cut throat people who will do nothing but just try to advance themselves and crush you. To them, I wish the best successes and hope they can find true happiness in themselves and with others.
I learned, too, that there are so many genuinely beautiful, loving people who will be there for you until the day you die. When you find those people, you need to cherish every moment with them and trust they will be there forever.
There are even the people you find that you at first think are great, but they slowly show their true colors. You learn they're pretty much the worst people to have in your life. With them, rip the bandaid off as soon as you can and get some fresh air on that wound. Let the scabs disappear and don't let them scar. You'll be better off.
What I also learned, you need to take risks. I know it sounds basic and overheard, but thanks to one of the biggest risks I ever took, my college experience was transformed. At the end of my freshman year, a small team and I created Off the Cuff - a fashion publication - and it taught me more than any class I could ever sit in. I learned how to lead, but also to follow. I learned that there's always a payoff with every risk you take. I learned that it's okay to mess up, just pick up the pieces and try again (just like the Aaliyah song). I learned that some of the greatest experiences come from the unexpected.
Thanks to BU and Off the Cuff, I met some of the greatest people and learned the greatest lessons. Now, I've walked across that stage and gotten my (very, very expensive) diploma. I've jumping out into the real world and thanks to BU, I'm ready.
