ENG Graduation 2013 / Session 11 / Wed 22 May, 6pm

VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH BY NADIA BTE SULAIMAN

  • Mr Boo Kheng Hua, Principal and CEO, Temasek Polytechnic,
  • Members, Temasek Polytechnic Board of Governors and School of Engineering Advisory Committee
  • Deputy Principals, Directors
  • Distinguished guests
  • Parents, Fellow Graduates, Ladies and Gentlemen.

1It is a great joy and honour to stand before you today, representing the graduating class of 2013. I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations to all fellow graduates. An air of finality surrounds us as this chapter of our lives draws to a close. It has been a brief but enriching chapter that I am sure holds many memories that we will each always cherish.

2We can be proud today and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Our time in Temasek Polytechnic has been filled with joyous moments and accomplishments. However, we certainly faced some challenges to get here. I for one did not have a smooth journey getting to where I am now.

3Fresh out of secondary school, I took the JC route, but did badly for my ‘A’ levels. Looking back, that was expected because as a student I could have been more focused and self-driven. In choosing what my next educational path, I was plagued with uncertainty. It was a difficult time and I was rather aimless, but I desperately wanted to make something good of myself.

4When I chose to join Temasek Polytechnic, there were many naysayers and people who doubted my choices. They probed and prodded at my decision. It certainly affected me and I had to fight the thought that I was just taking a huge step back. But there were also those who supported me and gave me the encouragement that I needed to move forward.

5Coming to Temasek Polytechnic was like a second chance for me to redeem myself and push my limits to see what I could really accomplish in terms of academic and personal development.My three years of study has made me value hard work and perseverance. Besides this, being the President of the ASHRAEStudent Chapter, the student club for my diploma, has enabled me to cultivate my leadership, time management and interpersonal skills. Also, I forged many new friendships with peers who shared similar goals and passion as I have for organizing student enrichment activities. Indeed, it is very gratifying to be standing here today because the hard work that I had put in has paid off, and I have now created the opportunities I wanted for myself.

6So now here we are at a crossroad once again and the question on everyone’s mind is “What comes next?” Some of us have already found a clear direction to go into; others may not have. But in whatever step we choose next, we have to recognize that there will be failures and obstacles. We will make mistakes but what’s important is that we keep learning from them. There will be naysayers at every turn that we make, making us question if we have made the right decisions. Do not listen to them.Just keep your goal in mind and know exactly where you want to go. You have to trust yourself and put in the work, for success requires hard work, dedication and the determination, that whether we win or lose, we have givenour best.

7If there is any moral to my story, it is that you should not be afraid of failure. In fact, it is our struggles that get us to where we are. I am not proud of my past but only I can act on it and determine my future. The famous author, J.K. Rowling, failed time and time again, before her success with the Harry Potter books. She said:

“… Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all. In which case, you fail by default.”

8In conclusion, on behalf of the graduating class of 2013, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the lecturers and staff of Temasek Polytechnic for your support and passion in teaching us. Let us also not forget to show appreciation to our families and friends who have supported and encouraged us. Fellow graduates, the future awaits us, so let us go head first, into the great mystery which is the future, with our diplomas at hand and the lessons we have learnt from this brief chapter of our lives. Thank you. (720 words)

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