The Daily Illini: Graduation Guide 2019

THE DAILY ILLINI Monday, April 29, 2019

Graduation Guide | 2019

Monday, April 29, 2019

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The Daily Illini

Congratulations to the class of 2019 from

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Graduating early requires effort, planning time to gain experiences you could add to your portfolio.

In some cases, it could also be better for you in terms of your job search because it would mean you are applying for jobs during the offseason. This would mean having less competition for highly selective jobs. Under other circumstances, an extra year or six months could give you more time to prepare for graduate school.

It is necessary to consider things like how heavy you want your course load to be and whether you are willing to give up experiences like a study abroad. Furthermore, it is important to think about how these things could affect your GPA. Taking a heavy course load every semester while also trying to maintain a social life could have a negative impact on your grades, which would defeat the purpose of trying to graduate early in the first place.

Ultimately, it all depends on who the person is and what they think is right for them. If the college experience matters more to you than getting into the job market early, then plan accordingly. But if you do decide graduating early is for you, planning ahead will save you a lot of stress and effort in the long run. Â

BY SONAL SINGH STAFF WRITER

With the cost of attending college and other expenses constantly increasing, graduating even a semester earlier could mean saving a lot of money. But is it really worth finishing early?

Here are some pros and cons to consider before making such an important decision.

If you graduate early by a year or a semester, it could mean saving thousands of dollars and preventing your student loan debt from racking up. This could also give you additional time to get an internship. You could even choose to enter the workforce early to start saving up.

This time could be valuable, especially if your career path involves going to medical school, law school or any other graduate program.

Although this seems like a great idea, this would lead to many things, such as having to start paying your student loans earlier while not necessarily having a job. However, this would also mean paying less overall in interest charges. Many employers also look for people who are older to make sure that they’ve reached certain levels of maturity, but to some, graduating early could look great on your resume.

Apart from that, graduating early would mean you miss out on the remaining college experience and on further expanding your Sonal is a freshman in Business. network. However, this could give you extra tssingh2@dailyillini.com

CHEERS TO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 2019 GRADUATES!

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GRADUATION! HAEMI JUNG THE DAILY ILLINI

Monday, April 29, 2019

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HENDRICK HOUSE would like to CONGRATUATE OUR 2019 GRADUATES! Stephanie Michalski Matthew Cheng Kristina Miller Mateo Diaz Francis Roxas Riley Garner Anna Schafer Michael Guaglianone Chris Scheurer Kevin Hart Andrew Stencel Sooraj Kumar Siyang Sun Address: 904 W. Green St., Urbana Telephone: 217-365-8000

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Degrees create distress

BY YOAV MARGALIT STAFF WRITER

led the student. “Why don’t they actually learn something before teaching me?”

And the University heard the student and contemplated this problem for a time. Then, it created the graduate student — basically the student, but graduated. But not a professor yet.

Because reasons.

The University looked on at the world it had created and nodded in satisfaction, for the world it had created had much beauty and financial stability. But for some extra funding, it created some sports teams, and those teams played sports, and the University sold tickets, and it was good.

Once the student graduated and the freshman became the sophomore who became the junior, the University found more chumps to buy an education, or so it was then known.

But as the years went by, the new students began to say they could not afford to pay so much, and the University realized it was not good to let a degree in culinary arts place one in financial distress. So, the University created subsidized student loans, and everyone saw it was good.

Wait, that part hasn’t happened yet? Why? What the hell, guys? Can we get on this? Doesn’t just about everyone need a college degree to get a decent job these days? Why do I need to sign away my firstborn just to— But I digress.

This humble story says nothing of the building of the ARC before the flood of sweaty people, nor of the plights within the book of job offers.

We have no time for these tales’ accountings, for ours is still more important.

In the beginning, there was nothing. But the University wanted to teach people and make money. It saw it could not make money without tuition, so the University created the student.

And the student paid way too much, and the University saw this was good.

But the University saw the student had become lonely, so the University created the freshman to make the student feel like she or he had learned something. The student was still confused.

“What is the difference between the freshman and me?” the student would ask.

So the University created the sophomore and the junior and told them they needed to pay up.

But the student, after seeing the freshman, realized he or she was, in fact, still not learning anything. And so, the University sought to create a professor. But this stupendous task was beyond even the vast powers of the University.

For many days and nights, the University pondered and considered the nature of the conundrum. Finally, one day, the University conceived its master stroke; it graduated the student, so he or she might be hired as a professor.

And graduation was created, or so the legend says.

Graduation was created to elevate all manner of things. From the student to cylinder, all things across the land were graduated, and the University saw it could charge a cool $300 for the ceremony, and that was very good.

But then the student began to complain the professor was not very good at his or her job.

Yoav is a senior in LAS. “They barely know more than I do,” chuck- yoavm2@dailyillini.com

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Seniors reflect on college experiences

BY SHUBHANGI JOSHI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For the class of 2019, graduation is a time for reflection. Their experiences, struggles, triumphs and failures have made them into the people they are now and equipped them with knowledge to tackle the future. For Thilinie Bandara and Rachit Singhvi, the steep learning curve brought on by the challenges of being independent young adults has helped foster their confidence.

Bandara and Singhvi both credit Global Crossroads, the Living & Learning Community in PAR, as the place where they made their first college friends. The LLC promotes cultural diversity and connects people from all over the world, and won the title of Best LLC at the University in 2015. Bandara still considers the friends she made there her closest companions. “(They’re) my go-to people that I’m going to talk to after college,” Bandara said.

Singhvi, who was initially disappointed to be placed in PAR as a freshman, was ultimately thankful for the opportunity to live there and be a part of that community as well. His friends from Global Crossroads have made him more outgoing and social.

Some of their most cherished memories in college also stemmed from their participation in

CASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI

the RSOs they were passionate about. Bandara was a member of the Illini Union Board, where she took part in bringing prominent speakers to campus, such as comedian Hasan Minhaj and #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke. An avid tennis player, Singhvi built a network on campus by getting involved with club tennis, both as a captain and as a president. Club tennis also gave him the opportunity to visit and compete with other colleges in the United States.

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prioritize.

“People used to only start studying a week before the exam and do well on it,” Singhvi said about academics in India, where he is from.

“But here, you have to focus on your coursework every day and keep up with deadlines.”

Since high school, however, Singhvi has not only become more organized but has also matured emotionally, made a lot of connections and achieved academic excellence.

Bandara also learned the important lesson of accountability, both in school and in friendships.

After graduation, Bandara is looking for a fulltime job while making preparations to apply to medical school. Singhvi is considering graduate school for aerospace engineering. Ultimately, they hope incoming freshmen learn the importance of focusing on school and building time management skills, as well as the importance of making connections on campus and pursuing their passions.

“Don’t come into college thinking you’re picture perfect,” Bandara said. “Be OK with making mistakes because those are the most pivotal moments you’ll have.”

“Out of the hundred people that walk by you every minute, it’s nice to see one or two people that you know,” Singhvi said about the connections he made through club tennis.

One of the biggest struggles faced by college freshmen is the adjustment to college level courses, while adjusting to living alone and finding their place on campus. Bandara and Singhvi struggled academically their freshman Shubhangi is a junior in Engineering. year before learning how to manage time and sjoshi32@dailyillini.com

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BRIAN NGUYEN THE DAILY ILLINI

Intricate history accompanies graduation rituals

BY ZACK FISHMAN STAFF WRITER

A new class of Illinois seniors will soon be congregating at Memorial Stadium to participate in commencement, a celebration of their collegiate achievements. However, the ceremony will look, sound and function almost identically to every other college graduation in the country. Graduation ceremonies are inundated with rituals that reach back centuries, yet they are so prevalent today that even primary and secondary education have adopted them. Baked into American education like little else, many of the recurring themes of graduation are backed by an intricate history.

Cap and gown The ceremonial garb of college students may appear arbitrary, but similar attire has been worn by centuries of students and has roots in the beginnings of western academia itself. Around the 12th century, the first European universities formed out of religious orders, according to the American Council on Education, and dress codes were established around the same time. For centuries, scholars took on the clothing of clerics by wearing long robes and hoods, signifiers of rank as well as possible aids in keeping warm.

Although today’s students only don the cap and gown once to celebrate the end of college, past academics likely wore this clothing at all times while studying, a practice that persisted through the early 20th century.

The unusual cap, formally named a mortarboard, also seems to have medieval religious origins. Some historians believe it is derived from the biretta, a smaller, also square-shaped hat worn

by Catholic clergy for the past several centuries.

American universities largely copied the traditions of Europe. After identifying wide variation in the gown conventions of different colleges, academics met at Columbia University in 1895 to draw up a standardized dress code.

The Intercollegiate Code on Academic Costume was subsequently established, drawing heavily on Columbia’s own gown design and applying to all of American higher education.

The code has been revised several times since but still maintains strict standards on gown size, length, cut and color. Each piece of clothing and accessory on display at next week’s commencement ceremony will be dictated by this historical charter.

Latin honors At the college-level graduation ceremonies, many students will hear their names announced with a non-English title affixed; these are Latin honors. More specifically, the phrase “cum laude” — Latin for “with praise” or “with honor” — may sound as if it stems from a similar era as the cap and gown; rather, the honor was devised in 1872 at Harvard College as a distinction for the graduating class’ highest-ranked students. By 1880, three levels of distinction were variously awarded to students, the other two being magna cum laude (“with great praise”) and summa cum laude (“with greatest praise”).

Today, the colleges of the University set their own standards for how or whether Latin honors are awarded to graduating students. The College of LAS, for instance, issues cum laude status to the top 12% of its students by GPA; magna cum

laude and summa cum laude are given respectively to the top 7% and 3%.

The College of Engineering, by contrast, does away with the Latin titles and competitive nature altogether. Instead, Engineering students are awarded honors, high honors or highest honors based on GPA and departmental recommendation.

“A student receives honors with a cumulative Illinois grade point average of at least 3.50 and high honors with at least a 3.80 grade point average at graduation,” according to a University engineering advising webpage. “Highest honors may be awarded to any student eligible for high honors upon recommendation of his or her department.”

The University also provides the unique Bronze Tablet honorary, which recognizes the top 3% of students from each college. Awardees are memorialized by name on large bronze plaques that hang in the Main Library hallways, with new additions sharing space with students tracing back to 1924.

Pomp and Circumstance

For the big event, author A.C. Benson wrote lyrics to the march, in which he promoted national pride centered around the expansion of the British Empire. The march gained even greater popularity afterward and became an “unofficial national anthem” in England, as described by a Vox video on the subject. Its popularity persists to this day: A 2006 survey of English citizens found a majority preferred the march — named “Land of Hope and Glory,” when paired with Benson’s lyrics — over “God Save the Queen” as the English national anthem.

“Pomp and Circumstance” also gained popularity in the United States but in a very different fashion. In 1905, the song was played as Elgar received an honorary degree at the Yale University’s graduation, and the practice caught on across the country. In demand to popularity, the piece was even recorded in the first-ever session at Abbey Road Studios, of Beatles fame.

Today, what once was a military march brimming with British pride has become the slow yet triumphant backdrop to nearly every graduation in the United States, past and present.

If you would like to stand out from the crowd on May 11, then by all means, sing along to the chorus of “Pomp and Circumstance”: “Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free, How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?

Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set; God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet, God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.”

The 1901 composition by English composer Edward Elgar has become the universal theme song of American graduation, but its roots grow murkier as they are traced back to imperial Britain. “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D” got its name from a war imagery-filled excerpt in William Shakespeare’s “Othello,” and the march was already a big hit among British people. Elgar was approached by soon-to-be king Edward VII, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, for the song to Zack is a junior in Engineering. be played at his coronation. zbf2@dailyillini.com

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Oh, the places you’ll go ... to take graduation photos tiful sites for pictures, but one of the most prominent are the steps in front. The openAs graduation gets closer by the min- ness of the steps lends them to be a great ute, it’s time to prepare for the annual option if you’re interested in taking group social spamming of cap and gown pho- photos with your friends or family. tos. With most of your family members wanting a picture of you in your regalia, taking a good picture to give to them can be stressful. Every campus has iconic spots One of the best things about having a to take graduation pictures, and Illinois is spring graduation is that everything is in no different. If you’re in a pinch and look- bloom, and the sites at Japan house are a ing for some portrait spots, look no further. beautiful example of this. With the cherry Here is the guide you need to take the best blossoms finally in full force, the trees are graduation photos. a gorgeous backdrop to all of your graduation photo needs. With the lake and the actual Japan House, there are endless photo spots on the grounds. Just make sure you I had to start the list with the obvious wear good shoes because it can be a little choice, the Alma Mater statue. It seems like bit of a hike. during every graduation season, there is an endlessly long line of students looking to take a photo in front of the statue. The hours waiting are for a good reason. Alma Mater is probably the most iconic symbol of the University, and having a photo with her would be a great way to capture your time here. Just To make things more personal, take make sure you get there early because tons a picture at a site or a building that is of seniors will have the same idea! important to your major. For example, I’m a student in environmental science, so I would take a photo at my major’s building, Turner Hall. Another idea is if you’re involved in a sport or a club, take a photo at a site that means a lot to that Even though it’s not the real statue, the organization. For example, for sports, take mural of Alma Nater on KAM’s patio is a picture at your respective training site. almost as famous as the original. Instagram Just make sure the site is something that is is constantly being flooded with photos in important to you! front of the site after nights out at the bars.

A photo with the mural should be on the Overall, graduation is one of the bigbucket list of every student and having one gest moments of your life. Taking photos at in your cap and gown would be even more meaningful sites will offer priceless memoiconic. Grab some friends and take gradua- ries to look back on for the rest of your life. tion pictures with some blue guys, and it will Above all, try to take some time and smell give you photos you will keep for years after. the flowers this week. It’s not every day you BRIAN BAUER AND DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO graduate.

Top: The gazebo in the arboretum stands amid the color-changing trees on Nov. 30. Japan House and the University of Illinois Arboretum are popular locations to take graduation photos.

Ava is a sophomore in ACES. Bottom: The Alma Mater statue is located on the corner of Wright and Green streets and is The Krannert Center offers many beau- avat2@dailyillini.com the site for many memorable photos.

BY AVA TRAVERSO

SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

Japan House

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A meaningful building to you

The Alma Mater Mural at KAM’s

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Get year-ended: Insure yourself

BY YOAV MARGALIT STAFF WRITER

er than you think. It’s coming strong. A good plan for you going forward is to invest a lot into your social life. That way, it can get in the way around the same time your studies start beating you up for your lunch money.

Also, assuming you got here straight from high school, you should be around 20 years old, which means you have never once drank on campus (or ever!). You’ll really enjoy yourself when you get to junior year because you’ve never drunk alcohol. Ever. Right?

For those of us shackled by the academic life (whether by choice or not), the end of the spring semester heralds a time of quiet contemplation, solitary introspection and gibbering panic. With regards to that last element of the incoming summer season, here’s some advice for all the poor undergraduate students who are just now closing out their semesters.

Note: For the members of the audience who suffer from excess anxiety, let this be a warning. This article might bother you. To those of us who have deep-seated insecurities on this issue, hopefully you can take the wise path of Heck yeah, now we’re getting somewhere. compartmentalizing and repressing your prob- You’re more than half way done with your lems until middle age, as I have. school career, and this semester is just one more mile on the road to greatness. Except the road is starting to run out, so figuring out what to do with your life is getting more important There’s almost painfully little advice I can by the minute. Luckily, there’s an entire year give you. You’re basically a sight-seer. A whole you can procrastinate toward, so you’re pretty lot of you aren’t even sure what you want to much set. No need to worry at all. major in yet, so what am I supposed to tell you?

If you’re a transfer student, by the way, then Just do your best to figure your life out, I guess. I send my condolences out to you. I, too, sufAlso, don’t let anybody tell you there’s such fered the awful super-positional quantumthing as a bad major. You shouldn’t let them, state that is being a transfer-junior. It’s a grolargely because it’s so evident it’s gauche to tesque abomination with all the obligations of speak it aloud. a junior and all the knowledge of the campus A good rule of thumb for you undecided stu- and experience of a freshman. dents out there is that whatever you were planTo those of you who are about to die of transning on majoring in is a terrible idea. Go to Plan fer-itis, I salute you. For those of us who have B from the start, and you’ll be much better off. already died, I feel your pain. it’s to graduate studies, the workforce, your mother’s basement or somewhere else, I genuinely hope you enjoy the opportunity for reinvention. For like, the third time in five years.

You’re kinda like the freshmen, except you Well, I’m glad you got used to college, Adolescence, man. What was God thinking? cling to a stubborn sense of identity from your because that’s done with. You’ve got a whole major. This sense of identity will be especial- new life ahead of you, and I know for a fact ly helpful to you when it shatters under the not a single person on the planet (ever) has weight of planning your post-college life, so ever been nervous about the transition (ever).

The old ones. The strong. The powerful. enjoy it while it lasts.

On a more positive note, the end of your You are both the reminders of days gone by You should also do something over the sum- senior year represents the opportunity to and the harbingers of things yet to come. mer, maybe. I mean, I don’t want to tell you remake yourself in fundamental ways. You get You occupy nigh-mythical status among the your business, but senior year is coming fast- a clean slate, wherever you’re going. Whether sheeple, and are venerated for your service.

Juniors

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Seniors

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Stay cool, my dudes.

In conclusion

Here’s to hoping everybody has a summer they won’t forget before they have to get back (except for, hopefully, the seniors and superseniors). It’s worth relaxing, knowing you get to take a break from all the hullabaloo, just in time to get back into it next year.

Yoav is a senior in LAS. yoavm2@dailyillini.com

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Manage your transition from college to workforce

BY NATALIE STANOWSKI ASSISTANT SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

After four or five years, the time has finally come to move out on your own and start your life as an adult. But the transition from college to real adult life is not that easy. In an effort to help you better navigate the transition, here are a few words of advice for those of you entering the workforce this summer.

Adjust your sleep schedule

Clean up your social media presence

Now that you’re part of the workforce, a greater degree of professionalism will be expected of you. That profile photo where you’re holding up a beer and peace sign?

Great way to show off to your college friends, but not so great when your coworkers and supervisors are looking you up. Make sure to set any graphic or unprofessional photos to private.

It might also be a good idea to Google your name and take a close look at the search results. Make sure there isn’t anything there that could be damaging if a supervisor was to see it. A good rule to follow would be if you wouldn’t show it to your grandma, you probably shouldn’t leave it out for your employer to find.

Remember those days of staying up until 4 a.m. binging “Game of Thrones” and then sleeping until noon? Hope you enjoyed them while they lasted, because there’s little room for late night Netflix in your new 9 to 5. While you still have your weekends, you are going to need to adjust your sleep schedule to accommodate your new daily routine. Instead of waking up groggy on your first day, start setting your clock back at least a week or so before you begin the new job. That’s not to say With a great paycheck comes great you won’t still be needing a copious amount responsibility. While you might be tempted of coffee to get you through it. to splurge on your first payday, don’t forget you are going to have a lot more expenses to keep up with.

Assuming you aren’t living at home with

Learn to budget

your parents, expenses like rent and utilities will quickly add up. Create a budget to calculate all your known and expected expenses to figure out how much leeway you have to spend on less important items, like that fitness magazine subscription. It also wouldn’t hurt to include a rainy day fund into your budget; you never know when an unexpected expense might come up.

Organize your time

Now that you don’t need to juggle classes, work and extracurriculars, it might feel easier to manage your time. While your work day will take up a set amount of your day, it is the rest of the hours of the day that add up. Keeping a planner or calendar to keep track of events will go a long way.

Don’t forget that just because you are working full-time does not mean you cannot work on your hobbies. You might have less time than you did in college, but if you make use of your time efficiently, you will be able to accomplish your goals. Even if you aren’t on a college campus, there are plenty of community events to attend as well. If you are missing the social aspect of college life, keep an eye out for local events happening around you.

CASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI

Cook your own meals

While you are probably bringing in more money than your old part-time job, your wallet won’t be happy with your eating out every night. You’re going to have to learn how to cook eventually, so you might as well bite the bullet and start now. Buying your own ingredients is much cheaper than eating out and a lot healthier for you too. So long as you aren’t just buying frozen meals, that is.

Natalie is a sophomore in LAS. nms6@dailyillini.com

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11

and meet up with your family afterward, there shouldn’t be anything you need to take with Finally after what seems like forever, you’re you on stage. about to walk across the finish line —­­­­­ stage.

You’ve got the gown you’re renting out for an arm and a leg and the relatives you’ve never heard of all have their tickets ready; all that’s Graduation is a long and tedious ceremony left is Commencement Day. Here’s some that will seem to stretch more and more as it advice to make the big event go as smoothly goes on. Nothing would be more distracting as possible. than thinking about how hungry you are the entire time. What would be more embarrassing than a stomach growl during the ceremony?

Plus you’ll get some much-needed strength to Before you waste the evening trying on every enjoy the occasion as much as you can. half-presentable article of clothing in your closWhile a hearty breakfast will get you through et, don’t forget your gown will be covering the start of the day, your parents will surely it. Commencement is an hours-long event, want to celebrate the occasion by taking you and you won’t be doing yourself any favors by out to eat afterward. Don’t forget, however, dressing up underneath; you will have plenty every one of the thousands of other families of time afterward to change into photo-shoot at graduation will be thinking the exact same worthy attire. thing. Unless you particularly enjoy standing in More importantly, mind your footwear. Your lines, consider making a reservation in advance graduation ceremony is not the time to be to skip the rush. breaking in a new pair of shoes. There will a lot of walking and standing around before the day is over, so maybe leave your three-inch heels at home. Your feet will thank you later.

How else will you remember graduation 10 years from now without a dedicated album?

While there are plenty of places for a photo shoot on campus, spots like the Alma Mater It may be nice to have somewhere to keep will quickly turn into an hours-long wait. The your cell and other miscellany, but trust me worst time will be right before or after the when I say the whole ceremony will go a lot graduation ceremony, so consider going early smoother if you aren’t lugging a purse or in the morning, or even a few days before combag around. If there is something you want mencement to beat the crowds. to access before or after the ceremony, ask your parents to hold onto it during the cere- Natalie is a sophomore in LAS. mony itself. Other than a phone to get in touch nms6@dailyillini.com

Congratulations Class of 2019

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Monday, April 29, 2019

Seniors should cherish last days on campus

BY BELLA KEYS STAFF WRITER

The sun has started to shine on the Main Quad, there is now a warm breeze that brushes through your hair and the days of heavy winter coats are no more. Finally, we are entering the time of year when motivation wanes as the spring sunlight sinks into our skin.

For seniors, the incentive to do homework is basically gone; the collegiate chapter of their lives is about to slam shut. The days left on campus are numbered, and reality is coming crashing down. But as your time here comes to a close, it’s time to tie up all loose ends before you leave these four years behind you. Once you’ve wrapped up the tumultuous learning experience that encompasses college, you need to have some fun. So, during the last summer before true adulthood, you need to check off as many bucket list items as you can. If you don’t have a bucket list, I made one for you: 1. Do something that scares you every day. Venture outside of your comfort zone.

Tell someone who has changed your life they’ve done so and how. Take a risk, and look at the times someone outside of your circle of friends has made this impact. It could be something as small as a compliment that challenged you to dream bigger or someone who gave you hope when you were weary.

Whatever it is, go out and tell them how they changed your outlook. Most times, the people who do the most for you are not even aware of their impact on your life. Don’t be afraid to say what you need to say before you graduate.

2. Plan to travel. Take yourself anywhere you can imagine. Take advantage of this summer of freedom. The world is your oyster, so adventure and find yourself. Buy a plane ticket to wherever is cheapest and go see the world.

If a fortuitous vacation is not your style, do something you’ve always dreamed of. Backpack through Europe, ride a gondola in Italy or picnic beneath the Eiffel Tower. Put on your rose-tinted glasses, and let yourself experience the world without any responsibilities holding you back. Immerse yourself in your vacation, and enjoy the freedom of this exciting period of your life.

3. Bars. Bars. And more bars. If you enjoy this part of Illini culture, do one last barcrawl.

Make it noteworthy; let it be the biggest crawl you’ve ever done. To make the most of it, hit every bar on campus. This includes The Red Lion, KAM’s, Joe’s Brewery, Murphy’s Pub, Legends Bar and Grill, Brothers Bar & Grill and The Hub. It may be your first and last time going to Legends, but what is better than having a first when you thought you only had lasts left? Splurge and experience the nightlife of Champaign-Urbana in one last barcrawl full of memories.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY

As graduation approaches, make sure to enjoy your last weeks as an Illini.

4. Before you go, memorialize your time here. Maybe you want to carve your initials into something that probably shouldn’t be carved into. A better option would be to do something more legal. Join the Mug Club at the Illini Inn! Simply pay $5 and chug a beer, recite some numbers and you’ll become a member and get a mug. Then sign your name in their book full of signatures from students who’ve also passed through your school. Immortalize your legacy at the University of Illinois, and ensure this school will never forget you.

5. Surround yourself with those who have made this journey with you. As you hug and congratulate each other, celebrating all the

hard work you’ve done these past years, don’t let it be a final goodbye. Instead, get your group together and take one last trip. Make it a legendary best friends vacation. Rent a beach house and spend a week drinking and hanging out in the sun. Whatever your plan is, you will be in it together, spending time commemorating all of the strenuous effort you’ve put into the past four years. Make sure you let loose during your final summer before adulthood.

6. You are now entering the workforce, and the years of college and young adulthood are gone. This period of change calls for a more personal alteration. Get a makeover.

Dye your hair. Cut it. Then, treat yourself to

a new, more adult wardrobe. Just like when you graduated high school and became who you really wanted to be, this graduation calls for changes that will only bring a better you.

Find the true you that’s been hiding inside, afraid of what a new haircut could do to your face, and just do it. There’s no time for fear, and adulthood will always challenge you to be your best. Start your new life by putting the last years behind you, and step out into the real world dressed as who you are ready to become.

Bella is a sophomore in Media. ikey2@dailyillini.com

Monday, April 29, 2019

The Daily Illini

14

Look forward to what comes next

BY AVA TRAVERSO

SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

So, you’ve finally done it. You’re here. It’s your graduation, the testament to all the hard work you’ve put in over the past four years. The caffeine fueled study binges at the Undergraduate Library, late nights at Red Lion and the days spent on the Main Quad have all culminated to this point. You worked your butt off and earned that degree. It may feel like a huge relief you’ve completed your schooling, but the future ahead can be even more nerve-wracking. With this mentality, the question on many seniors’ minds still remains: What comes next?

A common source of stress that many college students have to deal with is the potential of not having a concrete plan upon their graduation from school. When it may seem like all of your friends have scored their dream jobs or gotten into their master's programs, it can be easy to feel inadequate and alone. However, the boat you’re in probably has more people in it than you would think at first. Putting things into perspective by talking with others and taking stock within yourself can be extremely beneficial. Vocalizing your feelings to others may also help you find more people that feel the same way as you, and could even lead to finding career inspiration as well.

If you’re in a nervous panic about the approaching date, make sure you take a breath and pause. As with many great things, it can take time to find the right career or educational fit post graduation. Just because you didn’t get your dream job right out of the gate does not mean you will always be living in your parents’ basement. Taking the time to navigate your new adult identity after college could be exactly what you need before diving into the work force. Also, many students take a gap year before going into law school or medical school with good reason. The mental recharge before going back into the fray can help offer perspective and provide worldly experiences, which in turn can help them improve their studies.

Taking time off from the stress of school or work might seem like the wrong move in our high-pressure society, but it should be more encouraged than it already is. When everyone is always wanting to be on the go, take some time to look back on all you accomplished during your time at school. With the high pressure of exiting college and becoming an immediately high functioning member of the community, this can be a very toxic viewpoint to hold. Pressuring students coming off of the stress and strain of obtaining their degrees can cause them to be less effective employees in the future. It may

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA USER AKS.9955

Indian School of Business students throw their caps after the graduation ceremony in Hyderabad, India.

Special sections editor Ava urges graduates to be optimistic about the future.

not be the worst thing in the world to not have a plan right out of college.

All in all, I’m not here to tell you what to do.

I know graduation can seem scary, stressful and daunting, but I’m also here to tell you even if things aren’t coming together at the moment,

don’t lose your strength. The right job or opportunity may be right around the corner. You just have to stay hopeful enough to look for it.

Ava is a sophomore in ACES. avat2@dailyillini.com

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Monday, April 29, 2019

15

Graduation speaker to tell grads to find their ‘why’

BY SIDNEY MADDEN LONGFORM EDITOR AND ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

In 1984, Larry Gies was a small-town boy from Mendota, Illinois, and a freshman at the University. When his introductory writing professor returned their first essay to his classmates, Gies watched his peers’ faces drop as they received scores of C’s and D’s on the assignment and because he didn’t get his paper back, he assumed he aced it.

The teacher then asked him to stay after class and was shocked to learn English was not his second language. Gies, a first-generation college student, proceeded to sit with his teacher every day on the Main Quad over the course of the next few months to learn the fundamentals of writing.

Today, Gies leverages his communication skills as the founder and CEO of Madison Industries, a privately held company supporting entrepreneurs and sustainable structures around the world. Gies is well known at the University for his $150 million donation to the College of Business, renamed the Gies College of Business, in the fall of 2017.

Gies will be the commencement speaker for graduation at Memorial Stadium on May 11.

In preparation for the speech, Gies is reflecting on his own time at the Universi-

ty. He credits his success to the opportunities and experiences he had at the University such as developing a strong personal and professional network.

Gies first met his wife, Beth, while she was walking out of her sorority house.

Back then, she took him to tutor underprivileged children in the C-U community.

Years later, they continued to tutor children in Chicago’s Cabrini Green, a former public housing project.

“Because we started sharing (tutoring) more and more, we would talk about these kids and what we hoped for them,” Beth said.

The Gies family strives to democratize education, meaning to make education accessible to all people regardless of socioeconomic status. They helped create the Gies Campus of Chicago Jesuit Academy, an all-boys school on the city’s west side.

Larry himself has been returning to campus for the past 25 years to guest lecture.

Ten years ago, students inquired why he made the career decisions he has, and he was then forced to ask himself why. Finding one's why, pursuing one's passion, is advice Larry often gives to students. It will also be a recurring theme in his commencement speech.

Larry said his why is twofold: to democra-

tize education and “to make the world safer, healthier and more productive.”

Rob Metzger, Larry’s former classmate and professor in Business, suspects Larry’s speech will be about pursuing one’s passions.

Larry has already begun drafting his speech, making edits as necessary. He remembers Washington Post columnist and Champaign-native George F. Will was the commencement speaker when he graduated in 1989.

“What I remember about George Will was he was a great storyteller,” Larry said.

He also hopes to use anecdotes to capture the graduates’ attention and reinforce his larger message of finding one’s why. Speaking about his 22-year-old self, he wishes “someone would have told (him), ‘You don’t know anything.’”

Beth is often the first to hear the different renditions of her husband’s speaking pieces.

She has long supported him, working three different jobs at one point when his company was beginning. She will also be in attendance at commencement.

Larry hopes to encourage new graduates to try foreign experiences until they find what ROB METZGER drives them — while still paying the rent, of PROFESSOR IN BUSINESS course, he said.

“If you get all these experiences, you’ll find your why,” he said. “Every time I take a risk “I would expect his speech provides inspi- and experience, something great happens.” ration to the new grads about taking risks,

being ambitious, following your dreams and Sidney is a sophomore in Media. really doing things that have impact,” he said. sidneym2@dailyillini.com

“I would expect his speech provides inspiration to the new grads about taking risks, being ambitious, following your dreams and really doing things that have impact.”

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