Dear Future Kevin,
As I’m writing this, we’ve just got back from SSP’s annual College & Career Day (with a pit stop to Chipotle + Raising Cane’s)!!! For many, it served as a reminder of all the anxieties we’ll soon face: college applications, the stress of senior year, and the many uncertainties the future may hold. Yet somehow, amongst all of this, I found comfort & solace in knowing we’re all scared, excited, nervous, and stressed together.
We started off the day with college admission presentations from CalTech & Harvey Mudd – of which served to help us develop a sense of what to look for when college shopping! We then pivoted into a rather inspiring pep-talk by our program manager; whom earnestly tried to alleviate our adolescent fear of growing up with one singular statement:
I can only cross my fingers, breathe and hope; for I know everything will be okay at the end of the day.
Once the pep-talk was concluded, we all walked back to our dorms to shower and change for Part 2 of the Day – Purdue’s admission presentation, followed by a rather formal dinner, participant speeches and a keynote speaker!
Seeing everyone dressed up in their suits, dresses and everything in-between made me consistently gasp – everyone looked so amazing and cute!!!!
After such an inspirational day filled with laughter, deep pondering of what the future may hold, and the contentment of belonging; we all ended the day off with an hour long photo shoot at the Purdue Arch – capturing every combination of people possible: roommates, lab mates, ethnic groups.
All in all, today was yet another day that reminded me of why I’m here – to learn, to live, and to love. Thanks to all the wonderful people I’ve met and the community we’ve collectively fostered together; I now can confidently say: everything will be okay. I’m here for a reason, and we’ve all beat the struggles, barriers and challenges to be here at SSP today!!!
So, Future Kevin, believe in yourself. With the sincerity of a million shooting stars, every single person I’ve met at SSP has not only motivated me to become the best version of myself, but helped me believe I can, too. I end this blog by wishing upon a million shooting stars – embedding each wish with the promise of a bright future, success for all of my biochem 2 cohort, and the adolescent yearning to never grow up.
However, we can’t look forward to the future without looking back to the past!!! Here’s a little SSP rewind; to commemorate all the memories, achievements and accomplishments we’ve forged in just a mere 3 weeks together!!!
Don’t be a stranger!
Xoxo, Present Kevin at SSP
