Taylor Swift Receives Her Doctorate Degree at NYU
On May 18th, 2022, New York University conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Fine Arts on renowned singer and songwriter Taylor Swift. Having received such an honor, Swift delivered a piece of provocative speech on stage and left some valuable advice for all fresh graduates.
One of the most popular singers of this decade, Taylor Swift, has been a role model for many youngsters. Having released nine studio albums and received 11 Grammy Awards, the singer enjoys the fruitfulness and satisfaction of the applause but also experiences criticism and contempt.
The journey to reach her dream was never easy. Yet, despite all the difficulties encountered, Taylor never gave up; she dusted herself off, took a deep breath, and moved on with sparkling faith in her heart.
In her speech, she offered a few pieces of advice to the graduating class and others listening. (Watch the video of her full speech here!)
Dealing With An Uncertain Future Laid Ahead
Being a college student amid the global pandemic is nothing like before. While college students in the past were able to enjoy all the crazy and sleepless nights, students nowadays can only spend their days in front of zoom meetings and opening COVID test kits. The future looks gloomy, as we don’t know when the pandemic will end, when we can live our lives without masks and vaccines, or when the world will return to normal.
“Life can be heavy, especially if you try to carry it all at once,” Taylor Swift said, delivering her first advice to the graduates during the commencement ceremony.
Try to recall those memories when you first stepped into your first job, those uncertainties, nervousness, lack of confidence, and the stress of facing the real world. Graduating from college means no longer being confined by school rules and campus restrictions.
Nevertheless, you dive into this immense and boundless sea of life where you may feel lost, exhausted, and apprehensive while seeking out your own way of living.
Aiming to reach higher in your career, at the same time, longing to find a partner so that you can be called “successful” with balancing work and private life. Thinking of having a breakthrough in your job or position in life while being desperate to have kids so that you fulfill what society has labeled those “perfect lives.” Posting multiple pictures on social media every day and trying to present a glamorous image in front of your followers so that you believe yourself “influential.” Unfortunately, we are steeped in a culture emphasizing perfectionism and the codes of success, which snatch away our own way of thinking and the room for us to think out of the box.
It’s heavy when you’re trying to meet the secular standard of being successful. It’s suffocating when you’re trying to achieve all things at once. So do not think about climbing the top of the ladder; think about how far you could go when you truly follow your instinct at heart.
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Being Cringe Is Nothing To Be Scared Of
Swift’s second piece of advice offered to the graduates was to “Learn to live alongside cringe.”
Swift shared on stage that there was a phase in her life when she liked dressing up like a 1950s housewife. While it may look cringe, she enjoyed it and didn’t regret it. Do not try to hide your enthusiasm toward things that you like. People may judge you no matter what you do, dress, eat, work, or simply judging you because you are different from them.
“Cringe” is subjective; it does not come with a standard or measurement scale. If you think from an alternative angle, cringe means you are special and unique. Being the anomaly in your social circle can be weird at first, as there may not be people who understand you, but you will gradually enjoy the distinctiveness you have. We’re born so differently. It’s normal to feel, think, and react differently from others.
A well-developed society should be inclusive enough to let all voices be heard and respect all differences. I’m not saying the world should be eliminating the need to enforce a certain level and intensity of ruling and law; they are crucial. I mean that being cringe is not something you need to be ashamed of. Sometimes creativity comes from acting cringe as you have room for developing and exploring yourself.
The Compass Of Your Life
After starting to write at twelve, music and words became Taylor Swift’s compass, guiding her way to her dream and career in the music industry. Discussing her mindset when facing obstacles, Swift said, “my mistakes led to the best things in my life, and being embarrassed when you mess up is part of the human experience,” during her commencement speech.
At times, Swift doubted whether she was the perfect role model for all the young people out there admiring and looking up to her, whether it’s okay to make mistakes and acceptable to fail. Making mistakes is unavoidable. We all can’t avoid making reckless decisions in life. The key point is whether we can stand up again. Swift made mistakes, as she’s an ordinary human being just like all of us, but she didn’t lose her faith and dream. She keeps chasing the blaze in her heart, and those mistakes render her a shining star in the end.
Having a compass in your life can be life-saving. It can be words, arts, music, sports, and your loved ones. So when you are lost, think about the ones surrounding you, why you started, and let the compass in your heart guide you through the storm and rain.
