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Falcons of 2018 Give Advice

NYUAD Seniors Give Advice

May 6, 2018

Class of 2018, it’s almost time for us to go. But before we do, here are some things that we have learned over the last four years along with some advice for the underclassmen.
Disclaimer : Not every single item on this list is representative of the entire Class of 2018.
  1. Start with dessert, you never know where you'll be tomorrow.
  2. Self-care is not selfish. Take time for yourself.
  3. GPA is just a number; there are many people who do amazing things who are not honor students. Care less about your GPA!
  4. Getting a good friend beats getting an A. Prioritize friendships, because they’re worth it.
  5. Making your voice heard doesn't always mean you have to be the loudest or the first to speak.
  6. Compassion has no language.
  7. It's okay if you’re not first in class or the best at something. We are all capable in our own ways, and we all have different things to offer.
  8. Do what you want, not what other people tell you to do.
  9. We live in a very transient university where goodbyes become a consistent thing, whether it’s because of study away or graduation. You may not hear back from some friends. It's not that they don't care — sometimes some friends are just bad at keeping in touch.
  10. Appreciate everyone around you on campus. Your friends can teach you more about the world than travelling can.
  11. Make memories, not money. Your friends are more important than a student assistantship.
  12. Four years never felt so short.
  13. We’re entitled. Appreciate the privileges we have on campus.
  14. People that you think are your close friends in freshman year don't always stay close.
  15. People show love in different ways — some people write notes, others get you food, others give you a hug. Learn to appreciate them for who they are.
  16. People, including you, change over time. Don't be afraid of change, and don't worry too much about trying to hold onto friendships that have inevitably changed.
  17. Work hard, but don’t forget to have fun, relax and hang out with your friends. You don’t get these years back.
  18. Ferrari World and Yas Mall aren’t Abu Dhabi. Take the shuttle to the city and explore. You'll like the city a lot better. A good way to check your habits is if you’ve run out of meal swipes, then you haven’t left campus at all.
  19. If you haven’t stepped into the Arts Center, what have you been doing with your life?
  20. Don’t worry about missed opportunities, there will always be more.
  21. Get a driving license if you can.
  22. Fear Of Missing Out is real, but so are deadlines. Deadlines don't take vacations.
  23. Don't worry about capstone, it's not the end of the world. It's only 8 credits out of, like, 140.
  24. Hang out with senior faculty within and outside your major, because they know stuff and most of them will take the time to know you.
  25. Over these four years, you will see how your friends have changed and grown, and you will feel proud of them.
  26. Taking a summer to relax is okay — go home if you want.
  27. Call your mom.
  28. Don't touch the campus cats. If you want to, wait until they’re sterilized as they tend to be more relaxed.
  29. Talk to your professors outside of class. Don't be afraid to make friends with them. Go to office hours.
  30. Do the student production once. If you're crazy, do it twice.
  31. Try going to a class outside your major or taking up a new skill, even if you’ve never tried it before; try an arts class, a new instrument or that random physical education class that you’ve never heard of before. Also, keep in mind that some of these classes are really expensive in real life. Finish your core classes/colloquium early so that you can explore later.
  32. Travel within the Middle East. Also, it’s okay to not want to travel everywhere.
  33. Think from other people's perspectives and seek happiness in small things.
  34. It’s okay to change your major, even when you thought you’d be doing something else. It’s okay to become an arts major when your parents really wanted you to become a science major.
  35. Our library is a treasure trove.
  36. No matter how much willpower you have, do not do more than two exams in one day.
  37. Have picnics on the highline. Even better, get out into the city and have a picnic in a park.
  38. The best food in the city isn’t very expensive, and it can be found in small shops around the city.
Thirangie Jayatilake is Features Editor. Email her at feedback@thegazelle.org.
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