As I’m preparing to leave this University, I can’t help but look back and reflect on the man I am now and who I was when I entered USC as a freshman. To sum up four years of this rich experience is difficult, but I’ve selected Crucible because I believe it best highlights how adversity has forged me into a stronger person.
USC hasn’t been easy. From day one, I was worried about not being successful here. I was worried about not making friends in my dorm. I was worried about not passing classes. I was worried about having a good time and staying out of trouble. I was worried about not finding work after graduation. I was worried about coming short of making anything but the absolute best of my four years at USC.
Day one… my first night at Orientation, Summer ’09.
I can’t say that everything I’ve done at USC has been a home run. I’ve failed more often than I’ve succeeded, and I’ve had to pick myself up by my bootstraps more times than I can count. But I learned a lot through it all—especially the meaning of your best work and how to leverage your discipline and resolve into results. Part of why I came to USC is because I wanted to surround myself with the best. You’re in this melting pot with students who are every bit as qualified as you, and the only differentiator you have is hard work. Being surrounded by the best is what’s made this a difficult road, but it’s exactly what’s made this a fulfilling road as well. Throughout my four years I’ve been pushed to bring my best to the table, and that has forced me to grow into a better man than I was when I entered USC.
Day ???… one of my last classes at USC, BME Senior Design (this is an EKG monitor we built)
I will always look back on SC fondly as the crucible that shaped me; I look forward confidently.
