Thanks for the article. Reading it brought back the hopes and anxieties I felt 15 years ago when I left Wesleyan. There I was teetering at the edge of the great leap ahead of me, nothing to my name but a bag of half-brained ideas, my youth, and optimism. It's a tough call to drop oneself into New York, into adulthood, and into unexpected responsibilities all at once. Nonetheless my recommendation is to GO FOR IT! What do you have to lose anyways?
I think the wide majority of Wesleyan folks graduate with a great degree of uncertainty. Either they have an inkling of what their calling is or, like me, this calling remains in a continuous state of definition. But that's life! Unpredictable, unplanned, up for grabs. You make what you will of it. I've admired each and every one of my classmates and alumni who stuck to their guns despite their detractors and those who may have tried to derail their dreams. Eventually, by a mix of guts, drive, and self-honesty, they find their personal velocity and their callings. It takes sacrifice, so do not fear doing with less. Become a minimalist! Will you find happiness? Certainly! Will you find love? I sure hope so! Will you find success? It's all very relative. Will you face these same questions anywhere else on this planet, be it in your parent's basement, uptown, downtown or in a dingy illegal rental on the bleeding edges of gentrification? Of course! So why not face these demons in the greatest city on the planet!
If I may cast any final words of advice, they would be:
1. DO NOT BURN YOUR BRIDGES. The world is still a small place, you never know if the person you come across today can open new doors for you later.
2. BE GRATEFUL: For the who and the what that surrounds you and the efforts taken to get to where you are.
3. SHOW INTEGRITY: Put quality in everything you do and your reputation will carry you forward.
On Five Years in New York: To the Class of 2010 from the Class of 2005
Thanks for the article. Reading it brought back the hopes and anxieties I felt 15 years ago when I left Wesleyan. There I was teetering at the edge of the great leap ahead of me, nothing to my name but a bag of half-brained ideas, my youth, and optimism. It's a tough call to drop oneself into New York, into adulthood, and into unexpected responsibilities all at once. Nonetheless my recommendation is to GO FOR IT! What do you have to lose anyways?
I think the wide majority of Wesleyan folks graduate with a great degree of uncertainty. Either they have an inkling of what their calling is or, like me, this calling remains in a continuous state of definition. But that's life! Unpredictable, unplanned, up for grabs. You make what you will of it. I've admired each and every one of my classmates and alumni who stuck to their guns despite their detractors and those who may have tried to derail their dreams. Eventually, by a mix of guts, drive, and self-honesty, they find their personal velocity and their callings. It takes sacrifice, so do not fear doing with less. Become a minimalist! Will you find happiness? Certainly! Will you find love? I sure hope so! Will you find success? It's all very relative. Will you face these same questions anywhere else on this planet, be it in your parent's basement, uptown, downtown or in a dingy illegal rental on the bleeding edges of gentrification? Of course! So why not face these demons in the greatest city on the planet!
If I may cast any final words of advice, they would be:
1. DO NOT BURN YOUR BRIDGES. The world is still a small place, you never know if the person you come across today can open new doors for you later.
2. BE GRATEFUL: For the who and the what that surrounds you and the efforts taken to get to where you are.
3. SHOW INTEGRITY: Put quality in everything you do and your reputation will carry you forward.
Best of luck to you all! GO WES!