I have been anticipating this moment of my life for the longest time. I endured four long years at Stony Brook University to reach this point in my life. Graduation has finally come and this will be one of my proudest accomplishments. Being the first to graduate from college in my family makes this moment so much more important. These four years have certainly pushed me to my limits and taught me many lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

I went into college having no idea as to what career path I want to take. It was difficult for me to choose a major as a freshmen and so in the beginning, I settled with biology. I was indecisive as to whether I want to switch majors from biology to engineering. This was such a tough choice for me because I could not fathom the idea of having to decide my future at 17 years old. The academic journey I have taken for these past four years has been a long and tough one but the struggle was definitely worth it. In the end, I can say I graduated from college. That statement itself is so significant to me because I am the first in my family who can say it. The next chapter of my life is about to begin after this graduation ceremony takes place.

Over the years, I have dedicated myself to academic success. It is something I strive to achieve. I spent all my life trying my best to always do well in all my courses. The determination I have to succeed has continued throughout my four years at Stony Brook. I work my hardest in order to excel and to make my parents proud. Academic success to me, means that the amount of effort I put into my studies have paid off in the end by receiving those grades that I was determined to achieve. I know the first two years here at stony brook are dedicated to finding who you want to be. The first year for me was definitely a struggle because I was adjusting to a new world where I am more independent. I had to learn so many new things that eventually helped me in the future. Most of my time here at Stony Brook has been consumed with studying for future exams. I have learned that reviewing the material right after it has been taught, helps me to retain the information. I have also learned how to manage my time with a schedule set for doing my assignments for classes and for when I could have free time. I learned that there are so many resources that people take for granted here at Stony Brook. There are so many opportunities to have someone help you with your studies whether it be in a study group with my friends, or going to the office hours of my teachers. i hope to have gained valuable connections that will benefit me in the future because I took advantage of the opportunities at hand. In the last remaining two years, I want to have successfully declared a major and head towards the path of graduating with academic success. I know the final year will definitely be tough because everyone will be struggling to find that job that is fit for his or her major. The last year will also be a sad one, potentially filled with goodbyes to old friends and hellos to new opportunities. I know that moving on from college will be a whole new experience, one that I am anticipating.

At the end of four years, I hope to have found my dream career, the career that I love and have passion in taking part of it. I hope to have taken on internships that involve the field of study I want to go into, whether it be in a lab working to find the cure for a disease or engineering something that can change the face of the future. At the end graduation, I want to have successfully obtained a job that pertains to my major or possibly go to graduate school. These are all the goals I hope to have accomplished at the end of my time here at Stony Brook.