Reflections upon graduation
By Daily Bruin Staff
June 8, 2008 9:00 p.m.
For most seniors, graduation inevitably leads to personal reflection about their time at UCLA. A variety of seniors spoke to reporters from the Bruin about the highlights of their college experience: the lessons learned, the words of wisdom they would pass on to future Bruins. Though each told their own unique story, common themes included tales of mischief and rule-breaking, a newfound home in at least one campus group and an ironic comfort in the uncertainty of their future plans.
What is one story you would tell your grandkids?
Brittney Lamar, biology: “I think I will tell my grandkids the story of my senior year, when I became director of African Education Project. I lived down the street from (New Wilmington Arms in Compton), where we work at. I get to go back and give back to my community.”
Stephen Greenwood, film and television: “Sophomore year, a group of me and nine friends piled into a car on a Friday night and decided to drive to Stanford for the football game. We slept in the library. (The team) ended up being down by 27 points and it was one of the craziest comebacks of the year. (Being) there for that game, and the entire road trip basically summed up our sports experience at UCLA.”
Aria Ghafari, political science: “(I would tell them about) going to Iowa to campaign with a few friends over Christmas break. We went and worked for the Obama campaign. It was a nice way to take all my studies in political science and actually experience politics in the real sense.”
Henning Roedel, civil and environmental engineering: “I’d probably tell them about ringing the victory bell out on the Rosebowl field or looking at one of the card stunts that I helped design and put together. Sophomore year, I made a rose for the Rosebowl at the October homecoming game. It came out magnificently.”
Sunny Bai, physiological sciences: “One night, during fall quarter, it was a really nice night, (and) we (my roommates and I) felt like going to the swimming pool all of a sudden. We broken in and climbed the fence. That was new for me because I had never broken rules before.”
Tina Tom, Chinese: “(I would tell them about) being able to sneak in to the after party for the Asian Excellence Awards and seeing a lot of celebrities (such as Russell Peters and Quintin Tarantino).”
What was one experience that really changed you?
Tina Tom, Chinese: “Being involved in ACA (Association of Chinese Americans) and this year being involved in such a large production as Chinese American Culture Night … helped me … to grow into a leader (and forced me) to learn how to delegate responsibilities.”
Aria Ghafari, political science: “It was just more for me about conversations (about religion and politics) in living rooms on Wednesday nights at one in the morning with different people with different backgrounds who I could learn a lot from.”
Matt Griffin, Spanish and Portugese: “Going abroad was a huge drift … When I went to Spain, I was missing Los Angeles- my home had become UCLA. My heart was in Westwood and no longer where I had grown up for 18 years of my life. As far as my studies and future, when I went to Spain, I started writing for a magazine. I realized how much I loved it and how good I am at it. No more law school for me.”
Doris Quintanilla, international development studies: “Once I went to UCLA, I gained this massive independence. My roommate and I would take the bus at random hours … something I would never think I do when I was in my sheltered in home.
What is one myth that was shattered once you got to college?
Stephen Greenwood, film and television: “When I started applying for jobs this year I slowly realized that I didn’t want to work near Hollywood and film. (Instead,) I’m going to Tanzania for six months to volunteer. What you major in doesn’t hugely effect what you end up doing.”
Elizabeth Evans, economics: “Coming in as a naïve freshman, I totally thought I could have a nine o’clock class. Now as I’m graduating, I try to pick classes that start at eleven or twelve, because nine is completely ridiculous.”
Tina Tom, Chinese: “I thought college would give you a little more of an insight into jobs. It gives you the tools (such as career workshops) but in the end you still have to take action.”
Sunny Bai, physiological sciences: “A myth was that everyone gets drunk and everyone has sex on the floor. You don’t have to be one of them- you’ll find a lot of people who aren’t. You find out that people you came in so scared of are really just students.”
What is the craziest thing you did in college?
Jeanalee Obergfell, political science and Chicana and Chicano studies: “(When I was president of the Latin American Students Association last year, the retreat) was last minute. We had to basically have a retreat at my parents house with 30 people sleeping in my parents living room. I told my parents the day before, and it turned out to be a caravan of UCLA students who had never really been to a rural community.”
Elizabeth Evans, economics: “Last week, it was senior week in the house, and we were going to go out to Hollywood. We picked some place random that would be open on a Thursday and just walked right in. We turned around and there were Paris Hilton and boyfriend dj-ing a party.”
What is the most important thing, academic or not, that you learned?
Brittany Lamar, biology: “No matter how much you learn in a classroom setting, it doesn’t mean anything unless you can apply it in the real world and give back.”
Aria Ghafari, political science: “(In John Zaller’s political science class) I really started understanding political science. He was able to take a lot of common sense notions and quantify them into political science. That was when I really figured out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.”
Stephen Greenwood, film and television: “I learned the value of depending on other people. Over the years, I’ve realized how important it is to get other people’s opinions and rely on others’ talents in order to create something successful.”
What is one piece of advice that you would give to an incoming freshman about how to make the most out of the college experience?
Lauren Post, economics and political science: “Be really open as far as career paths and academics. I came in thinking that I was going to go to law school and that has totally changed. Explore a lot of career options and start thinking about that earlier rather than later.”
Henning Roedel, civil and environmental engineering: “There’s a lot to do on campus and be careful of doing too much- I learned that the hard way. I signed up for too many things and wanted to do (it all). It ended up hurting everything a little bit because I couldn’t devote all of my attention to everything (I was involved in).”
Jeanalee Obergfell, political science and Chicana and Chicano studies: “Really enjoy every moment and embrace every single second. It’s a very unique time in your life. (You are) meeting people from all walks of life- take advantage of that and learn from other people.”
Gabe Rose, political science and communication studies: “Get involved. Find something you enjoy doing and just go for it. The worst thing you can do in college is just sit in your room and wait.”
Compiled from reports by Neha Jaganathan and Tessa McClellan, Bruin contributors.
