Although I am technically not graduated yet (I still have 4 more classes to finish) I was able to participate in Commencement ceremonies on April 23rd with my brother, Ammon who graduated in Mechanical Engineering.
Graduation was a fun experience. A lot of my family members were able to be there and we were able to get a photo of all the 5 BYU graduates in our family.
Dressing up in the cap and gown, walking through the Marriott center and across the stage at convocation, and listening to the wonderful speakers who gave great counsel, all helped me realize what a blessing it has been to be a student at Brigham Young University. Reflecting back on the last 3 years, I have definitely learned a lot, and not just academically speaking. I have been able to develop some wonderful friendships, I have learned more about myself, my talents, my likes and dislikes, and I have learned to appreciate each moment of this phase of my life with all of its ups and downs. I have absolutely loved studying Humanities which has allowed me to be exposed to some of the greatest minds this world has seen. I have learned to look for and appreciate the beauty that is apparent everywhere and I have been able to develop and strengthen my own opinions about various topics.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and one whom we revere as someone who recieves revelation from God, was the speaker at our Commencement exercises. He encouraged us to do the following as we continue our journey through life:
1- Use time wisely
2- Continue to Learn
3- Always Seek inspiration from the Spirit of God
Elder Russel M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of our church, also spoke to us and gave us this wise counsel:
"The end for which you should strive is to be the person that you can become — the person that God wants you to be.
"Much more important than what you have done for a living is what kind of person you have become. On your final graduation day … what you have become will matter most."
(To see what else we were told at graduation exercises, please see this link: :-)http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705299300/6192-at-BYU-celebrate-graduation.html )
As I finish up this last semester of my undergraduate degree, I am considering what my next steps should be to help me become the kind of person God wants me to be, the kind of person I want me to be, and what paths I need to take to reach that goal. I have always pondered upon this question when I reach certain points in my life that require decisions about my future, and when it comes to a career, for the last several years there has been something in the back of my mind that has told me that Law School is an option that I should consider. So, as I finish up my classes, I am also going to have to make time to study for the LSAT. Depending on how well that goes, I'll let you all know where I go from there.
