The end of the year is a lot like driving with the gas light on.

You’re completely aware that you are on your last gallon of gas. You keep reminding yourself to make it to the nearest gas station. You panic about the fact you are so close to your destination, but at the same time so close to burning out on the side of the road.

You are not alone.

As we come to the end of the year, there’s a lot that could be said. There are about a hundred different messages that could be sent, but the real question is: what do you want to hear?

Do you want to hear congratulations? Do you want to hear praise that you are almost done and are so close to your goal? How about you finished that class strong and now onto bigger, scarier professors and 15-page papers?

I’m going to tell you what you don’t want to hear. You may have won the battle, but the question is whether or not you will win the war.

Passing the class and getting the grade only plays a small role when it comes to success. Think about it like this: yes, you are in college. But college only takes up four to 10 years, depending on the degree you are seeking. What are you going to do for the rest of your days on this earth? If you spent your undergrad years kissing up to a professor, hoping they will give you a handout in the long run, what have you really learned?

The world doesn’t operate in terms ice cream and candy. Nor does anyone genuinely care about what is going on in your life.

In fact, the chance of your supervisor being completely rude to you and treating you poorly is more likely to happen depending on ethnicity or gender.

Truth is, you can give your all and be nothing but a sweetheart, but someone will find you not worthy of respect or dignity.

When you are fighting a battle like this, it’s amazing that you will ever make it to the end. When you are fighting for so long, sometimes you forget what you’re fighting for. It’s tough and it feels like the end of the world, but it’s not.

My fellow classmates, I will tell you this: I am proud of you. I’m tired too and that feeling of dread is almost over.

As we close this year, we mark the end of a battle. We wipe the blood, the sweat, and the tears from our faces as the year comes to an end. Unfortunately, the battle is not over, but it shall be won. We are ever so close to reaching our victory and being able to proudly declare “I survived.”

Just remember: You are far more powerful than you have been led to believe. And the worst battles are saved for the strongest of soldiers. I challenge you all to discover just how powerful you really truly are.

See you in the fall.
Rams Out.