And so, here I am.
As I sit in my on-campus apartment for one last night before completely moving out and getting ready for my commencement, a lot of thoughts have flooded me. These four years really flew by. Not much could have prepped me for the tumultuous ride that college had given me. I don't think I've really documented or tl;dr'd my time here at Rutgers. But here I go:
The story of my college career started, in a way, during the whole application process. I had thought for a while that I was going to major in Piano Performance and Composition, so I had applied to a few music schools and live out my dream of being a musician for the rest of my life. And then in March, slowly, but surely, each school got back to me. Every single one of them had rejected me from music school. For the longest time, I was heartbroken. I had to abandon, temporarily, my dream of being the grand concert-hall pianist that I had always wanted to be. And then, there was no chance of that.
However, I at least had gotten accepted to each school, so I settled on Rutgers University. The vastness of the school had excited me. There seemed to be so much opportunity, and I couldn't help but get myself drawn to this open world. And so, it began.
Orientation was one heck of an experience. Although I couldn't tell you word for word what I had experienced, there was one thing that I will touch upon that we'll come back to later: at the end of the session, one of my two Orientation Leaders had slipped notes to every one of their students. Hers had a simple request for me: "By the end of college, you better have tried music again."
I could go into detail with how each year had gone for me. But I won't, because too much had happened within each year. I tried, and I just couldn't do it. The tears would have definitely flown hard from there. I got two degrees, in ITI and Music, I got a wonderful girlfriend, a great network and support system, and I couldn't be happier with how my life went. I found my identity. And I think that is the most important thing for someone to do in college. Because without that spurring you on, where would you be but a lost image in a crowd of the same image?
This is my sappy graduation post. There's thank yous in order. If I don't mention you, it's not because I forgot (or maybe it is). It's because there's too many of you to thank. Here's a few of the big groups that come to mind that I definitely need to thank:
Nicholas Hall. Without the rowdy three-floor, six-wing family that was Nicholas, I don't think I would've made the connections I did today. It's important to know that we all hated the idea of living on the "farm campus". But without that home-like campus, I never would've survived freshman year. I never would've met a good amount of my friends here. Shoutout to RHA/CDRC as well for believing in someone like me to lead. Shoutout to the 2nd floor C-Wing that helped me create such unforgettable memories.
Mason Gross School of the Arts. Gee. Thanks for rejecting me and breaking my heart before college even started. But thank you for opening your doors to me as a BA, for giving me the chance to somewhat live my dream as a musician. I can't just put down the dream I had and that my parents had for me when I was little. You ain't gettin rid of me that easily. Thank you for helping me meet one of my best friends I'll have in life, a pianist that only gets better and better by the day.
Rutgers University Choir. Thank you for giving me a place to forget the world on Mondays and Wednesdays, and for helping me find confidence in myself as a singer. Shoutout to the EBoard for transforming this choir completely from when I first saw it. The sky's truly the limit for y'all.
The Hooligans. I definitely don't shoot enough with you guys anymore, but I can definitely say that without y'all, me growing as an artist would have seen a different path altogether. I'm forever indebted to all of you for believing in me.
My RAPS fam. Juno, Bonnie, Sorina, Sean. I know that only 1/4 of you is REALLY involved with RAPS, but it's really nice to know that you guys are my little bros and sisters that I never had. The constant support from you all is indebted. I love you all. I can't say enough about each of you, or else this essay would be even longer than it'd need to be.
Ghost Gang. Kenny, Anthony, Jungwoo, Brady. You four are the best. We may not be the best crew, but I can definitely say that the fondest of memories at college are with all of us in the same room. I wouldn't be where I am as a dancer and a person without you all. Here's to many more years growing together. And while I'm at it, shoutout to RU Breaks for taking me in and helping me grow as an artist and as a person, and for helping introduce me to so many amazing people from all over, whether it being the talent along the way, or even a girlfriend I thought I'd never have in my life.
SafeHalo. It's really a damn shame that I only met you all my last year in college. Yet, you all have undoubtedly become the best people that I've ever met at Rutgers. I want to especially thank Dan and Jamie, time and time again, for believing in the person that I am. No matter what happens in the future, I know that the future is forever bright for you all.
Mom and Dad. You guys pushed me and believed in me. Never did you lose hope for me, and I'm so incredibly lucky to have you there by my side at all times. You've seen my darkest hours, and cheered with me and my highest points. I really would not be here without your unwavering love.
And at last, we're here. By the time this has posted, my graduation ceremony will have ended. You've believed in me these last few years, and now, I got a terrifying world ahead. I have no idea what's going to happen yet. But I know that whatever life throws at me, I have people at my side that will help me along the way. For everyone at Rutgers that I met these past four years, thank you for being in my life. There's way too many of you to thank, and I truly love you all. Each of you have made an imprint on my life somehow. And in doing so, I hope that my imprint was made on your life and at this school. But don't ever think of this as a goodbye. I'll be around, I can definitely promise that. Alas, my time in academia has ended. And now, my new life is in bloom.