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Estrella (Convocation 2016)
BY GLENVILLE LEE
The stage was set, the date was decided, and invitees were notified. Estrella 2016, convocation dinner for the graduating batch of CN Yang scholars, was to be held at The Fullerton Hotel. Just as Lee Kuan Yew charted Singapore’s path into the unknown at the Fullerton Square with his fiery speeches in 1965, it seemed fitting that as we were departing from our undergraduate lives into unfamiliar territory, we celebrate it at the Fullerton compound as well. And we could not wait for it. The 9th of July promised to be one of great company, laughter, and (perhaps most importantly), alcohol.
We were not disappointed. As we streamed into the ballroom, we were greeted by our juniors who had painstakingly organized this event. Each of us were also presented a handmade card and a miniature Oscars trophy (which, at that point in time, was the first time I had ever received a prize/trophy from CNYSP). The tables were elegantly set, invoking a sense of grandeur which was befitting of the occasion. The performances were captivating, and it served as a reminder of the diverse talents amongst us. Lastly, the games were simply awesome, serving up tons of fun for both the participants on stage, as well as the audience cheering them on.
Jerrica and Zixin performing on stage
As we moved around to thank our juniors for the marvelous event, I was reminded of how we used to be. Fresh out of our freshman year, a year of activity in the CNYSC yielded numerous lessons for us. We learnt the importance of planning down to the smallest detail, we learnt the importance of teamwork, and we learnt to efficiently allocate scarce resources. I hope our juniors have similarly taken away the same lessons (if not more), and that these takeaways will serve them well into their undergraduate lives and beyond.
Perhaps I shall take this opportunity to share some of my learning points from the time that I was an undergraduate (note that this is my personal perspective), and hopefully these will serve as nuggets of wisdom to guide our juniors along.
Firstly, no one can travel the journey of life alone (unless you are, for lack of a better word, god-like). We are all imperfect. At some point in our life, we will need help, we will seek comforting, and we will desire companionship. I cannot recall the number of times as an undergraduate that my friends and I were pillars of support for each other. So be humble, for there is always someone out there better than us and hence worth learning from. Embrace teamwork, for more often than not, it yields better results than individualism. And of course, treasure friendship, for friendship to life is what oxygen is to a flame.
A toast to our graduation
Secondly, never underestimate the importance of prioritizing. As undergraduates, what we have on our plates can seem overwhelming at times. It is then crucial to understand what we hope to achieve out of an undergraduate education, and focus on the issues/tasks/activities that will bring us closer to our goal. As the Pareto principle goes, focus on the 20% of tasks, which will yield 80% of the results. So perhaps that assignment for a 1 AU module can wait. Or that night out with acquaintances (not friends) can be sidelined. What are your goals? And how can you achieve that? It’s all up to you.
Lastly, life is short. This may sound weird given that I am only 25 years old but in retrospect, the last 4 years have flown by. Before you know it, you may be going for your exchange studies. And then it’s your fourth and final year. And then it’s time to look for a job. And then it may be your turn writing this article. So treasure your time in university. Graduating has its merits, but undergraduate life was a blast. Learn as much as you can, for it will prepare you well for the future. Push your boundaries, venture beyond your comfort zone, for diamonds were formed under pressure. And finally, learn to unwind when the time calls for it.
Spending the last few moments of our undergraduate years as a family
Many thanks to our seniors who had guided us over the past 4 years. Your advice was invaluable to our growth and maturation, and we wish you all the best in your careers.
If you are still reading this, thank you for getting through this (maybe boring) reflection. I hope my reflection was useful, and I wish everyone the best in their endeavors. Adios, amigos.
