It’s Not Just a Diploma
To everyone who graduated this year: congratulations! You've reached the end of a major journey that began several years ago. A journey that has demanded your full focus, with the diploma now in your hands as the beautiful result.
A diploma that represents countless hours of study sessions, often during the day, but sometimes also in the evenings and at night, possibly fueled by slightly too much caffeine.
A diploma that stands for the hopeful expectations you had when you first started your studies, and which have now finally been fulfilled. Whether that is exactly as planned or completely against expectations. Whether you wanted to make others proud, or just yourself. Whether you are one of many in your family with these achievements, or the very first.
A diploma that represents more than just proof of knowledge in a certain field. More than that, your diploma symbolizes perseverance, something future employers or business partners will likely value even more than the piece of paper that proves it.
A diploma that reflects the countless journeys you had to make to acquire all the necessary knowledge. Journeys through sunshine, but often also through rain, wind, and even storms. Storms in the literal sense, but sometimes also journeys through the storms in your head.
A diploma that, in short, stands for so much more than just the signature you put on it. A diploma as the beginning of the rest of your life.
Congratulations, and enjoy!