The time has come for the Class of 2020 to start their first semester of college! Tomorrow will be your first day of college classes. A little anxiety is normal, but there’s no reason to be scared. You have all prepared for this and are ready to carry on. Already, there have been opportunities to get to know the community around you and learn about what the campus has to offer. This is only the beginning, there will be four years ahead to grow and learn. As you all progress and develop, do not forget to occasionally reflect on how you arrived to the places you reach and consider the fundamental ideas of your college experience that were produced through the Common Read program.
Common Read is unique in many ways, just like every incoming UMass student, who bring with them something new and special to the campus. The Common Read program can be whatever you make it to be. The concepts of diversity, inclusion, and community may be ideas or tools for you to use in your college experience and beyond in any way you wish. In the coming years of college, perhaps graduate school, and the world beyond higher education, there will be plenty of critical activities and issues affecting society that are relevant to what you have learned in the Common Read and what you will learn in school. UMass is no ordinary university; education here is not memorizing information, it is creating big ideas and thinking outside of the box. What you have learned so far and will learn in the next four years will be the tools you use to build successful life.
It all started here, first with the Common Read and now with the first day of classes. As you settle into your new home among strangers, who may already be becoming a thriving community, do not forget to think back about Lizet’s experience in Make Your Home Among Strangers. Her story is inspirational and eye-opening. Hopefully, the narrative is empowering for all of the new UMass students as you learn the ropes of higher education and begin this grand adventure. Furthermore, recall that Lizet passionately pursued her dreams, overcoming significant stress and obstacles, to acquire a job in the field she was interested in. With passion and perseverance, you all will rise and accomplish your goals as well. An amazing four years lies ahead and a great expanse of opportunity is beyond that. Good luck in your journey with this diverse group of strangers, may you feel welcome and at home, and never forget that you are not alone, all of you are in this together.