EDITORIAL BOARD Editor in
Chief  Timothy Kudo
Managing Editor
 Michael Falcone
Viewpoint Editor
 Cuauhtemoc Ortega
Staff Representatives
 Maegan Carberry
 Edward Chiao
 Kelly Rayburn
Editorial Board Assistants
 Maegan Carberry
 Edward Chiao
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the Daily Bruin Editorial Board. All other columns, letters and
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complies with the Communication Board’s policy prohibiting the
publication of articles that perpetuate derogatory cultural or
ethnic stereotypes. Â Â When multiple authors submit
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procedure, contact the Publications office at 118 Kerckhoff Hall.
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You’ve done it before, and you’ll do it again.
Much like the way you woke up this morning, on your last day of
college, you’ll wake up tomorrow and do something else. Only
one thing will be different. You’ll be a graduate of the
University of California, Los Angeles.
Hopefully, that makes you swell with pride and smile at the
memories. In addition to being a place of learning, college is
supposed to be fun and enlightening. Maybe you got that in a class,
or in late night runs to Didi Reese for three cookies and a milk.
Perhaps it was when you joined a campus group or won an IM game.
Maybe it was when you met that special person, the one who made all
the difference and lights up your life. Whatever it was, you should
be happy you got it.
Because not everyone goes to college. Not everyone gets to
experience the intellectual, emotional and social growth that being
a college student entails.
You are here because you have distinguished yourself from tens
of thousands of others who applied. You have a special talent and
you are motivated. You are here because you have proven yourself
before and you got a little luck along the way. And that’s
exactly why when you leave this university, you’ll do it
again.
There have been obstacles in your path before. You’ve
overcome them. There have been victories to celebrate. You savored
them. There have been goals to set, and you’ve made them.
That’s why there’s no reason to be afraid.
You’re the kind of person who is successful. The rest is just
details. No matter if you leave here for an office job that pays
$28,000, if you’re going to Harvard Law School, or if
you’re travelling the world ““ your life will fall into
place because you will make it.
Why?
Because you always have. And now, upon leaving UCLA, you are a
better version of yourself. You’ve been enriched by
challenging coursework. You’ve grown emotionally through new
relationships and experiences. You’ve learned the value of
hard work, and paying your own way. You’ve learned to respect
others after a slew of deplorable roommates. You’ve narrowed
down your list of passions, and have a better idea of what kind of
career you’ll have. You’ve been exposed to all sorts of
people and ideas, and you know which ones you want to stand for and
which ones you don’t.
Whatever you do, don’t allow yourself to be paralyzed with
fears of failure or thoughts of doubt. Doors are not closing.
You’re only now beginning to see what’s behind them and
deciding which ones you want to enter.
When you do decide, pick the ones that make you proud. That make
you happy. Pick the ones that place people and virtue over
shortcuts and money. Be courteous. Give back to the places that
made you great. Be intelligent. Continue learning throughout your
life.
And when you get a chance to watch a game, attend a play,
interview a current student for a job, drive by campus, talk to an
old classmate or read through a crumpled old copy of your
Graduation Issue from 2002 ““ be sure to say “Go
Bruins.”
Best of luck to the graduating class.