I am graduating soon, Alhamdulelah, and I
wanted to write something as a last minute realization if I ever decided to
pursue with post graduate degree, not to do the same mistakes again, or maybe
do them! So here it goes ….
The past year has seen unforgettable events
in the world, and in our worlds- ups and downs, revolutions, misfortunes, lots
of endings, and many new beginnings; Most of them unforeseen, and many that
changed our lives and re -shaped the way we think.
So here I am trying to absorb some of what
has happened and how it changed the way I think.
My first advice as an architecture student
would be: after today, TRY NOT to pull all nighters anymore, and if you do ,
then do NOT do it while listening to Om Kalthom. It does not work. This is the
only advice that is tested and proven by the many all nighters I pulled; the
rest would be based on my observations and conclusions of the experience of
being a student, I will dispense this advice now.
Be as unexpected as
past year, as revolutionary, as mysterious. Have your own ups and downs,
successes and failures, don’t let your
successes misguide you, nor your failures destroy you , for the glory is not in
never failing , but in standing after
you’ve failed.
Be as memorable as past
year, let your presence be the change people always expected, let your words be
the speeches they have been waiting for, and let your memory be as
extraordinary as that of a sweet dream.
Be as inspirational as
past year, do things you've never planned for, do the things you always thought
of as farfetched, and do the plans you have always pushed off till after
graduation, and above all, do all of your plans TODAY, for tomorrow is as
mysterious as the past year.
Keep a small note book
in your pocket or purse, for you never know when news, people and places flash
you with inspiration, or keep your mobile handy so you can tweet about them.
Be tolerant, for the truth has more than
only your side.
Pray.
Visit the cities you
have kept itching at the back of your memory, it's about time to see them for
real, not as collaged images in your mind.
Make friends with your
siblings, for they are the ones who know when you need a Redbull drink.
Make friends with your
parents, for they are the ones who worry so much they ban Redbull from your
house.
Do not feel guilty if
you still do not know what your next step is, the most inspirational people are
those who are spontaneous, and true to themselves.
Sing.
Read the newspaper
every morning, think about the news, but forget them while having breakfast.
Remember those who left
you, and those who are still around, and be faithful to all.
Take the memories of
the long Deli-Marche's launch "breaks", and the long hours you had to
pull because of those breaks.
Take the memories of all the hysterical
laughs you had while pulling an all-nighter for an exam or a review, and the
memories of frustration that accompanied them.
Take the memories of all the times you had
to fight with the security to leave the architecture building open 10 more
minutes so you can finish your model.
Take the memories of all the times you went
to the library to study "quietly" and with no distractions, and spent
the whole day talking to your friends.
Take the memories of that time when you
gave a great speech in class, when you surprised yourself with a painting, when
you had an amazing review, or a very bad presentation, and when you couldn’t
help but sleeping in class.
Take all of your contradictory memories,
all of your special moments, everything you've learnt, and everything that frustrated
you; embrace them and let them teach you how to start fresh.
Make your goal to graduate from life with respect,
honor and admiration, and with no regrets.
Finally, be as worth-sharing as past year's
events. Let everything you do be a story, worth-telling and worth-learning
from. Let your mistakes be the key for others' successes, and let your
contradictions be the very best stories you get to share.
