Graduation Speech : Residence Hall

On February 11th, 2016 I attended the Houston Independent School District’s (HISD) school board meeting. I received a first-hand experience of how educational decisions are made and I also witnessed all the intricacies of the process. An article entitled Understanding Your School Board states that “school boards are entrusted by the public to translate the needs of students into policies, plans, and goals that will be supported by the community” (www.tasb.org). In other words, the board and its members are responsible for making and enforcing essential decisions for the school district. They are ultimately a strong determining factor for their students’ academic success.

I have the distinct pleasure of welcoming all of you into the National Honor Society, a group built off of high standards of achievement, not only in the area of academics but also in character and leadership. I congratulate each of you and your parents.

President and CEO, Members of Boards of Trustees, Hospital administration Officers, DIO, Program Directors, Faculty, staff, family, friends, colleagues, and fellow graduating residents:

Many college students picked the school based on how far away it is from home. And within the first year of college the student becomes homesick and wants to move back home for certain reasons. In this research paper, I will talk about how some college student’s wellness is different from those who live on campus versus the ones who live off campus for the school. Living on campus gives you a better feel for the campus life and making adult decisions by yourself and not having to worry about your parents. Also, your health can be difficult with living on campus because you’re not able to go see your regular doctor if you are sick. The difference with living off campus is you are staying at home with your parents and they do not have the chance to gain the campus life experience. Many college student’s maturity level grows because they are gaining their own responsibilities and no having to deal with what their parents want for them. Living off campus reduces the chance of the students gaining the college life experience and gaining responsibilities for themselves. That is why students will have a better college experience if they live on campus all four years of their college life. “…Living on-campus are at entrance more disposed to engage in various educational, social and cultural experiences of college” (Pascarella 247).

College students represent a unique culture that have a multitude of needs that differ from other populations. College for many individuals is an opportunity to express their individualism and experience personal freedom. For many, this is the first time they are away from a structured home life and they are now able to make their own decisions. Now autonomous, they are free from punishment and reprimand from their parents because they are away from home and their actions are hidden by distance. This is an exciting time for the student as they are confronted with many new scenarios. Students are faced with finding new groups to be a part of and discovering ones’ identity becomes a new

Hi Ms.Barks, I am not sure if you remember me ( EAP 121,Winter 2015),just want to tell you I am done with ENG 101 and to thank you for the permit!!! It was very interesting expirience ( Bixby was my teacher),however I passed and moving on.This is my last quarter in Edcc , I am taking summer off and will be attending Shoreline community college this fall.Again,I just wanted to thank you for being supportive of me and allowing me to get closer to my goal!!!. I was very fortunate to have you as my teacher!!! Have a great summer!!!

Some people have asked to read the commencement address I delivered this morning to the 2013 graduates of Butler University. So here it is.

Living in a residence hall is a rite of passage for a college student. Not only can a student gain a hefty amount of culture by encountering different types of people, it provides an outlet for the student to grow into their selves. Away from the social pressures of home, a student develops a separate identity that is the budding seed to adulthood and individuality. Living in a dorm is often the first time a student is on their own. Deciding what to eat, when to take a shower, and something as simplistic as taking out the trash hones real life skills that is neglected in high school curriculum. Being a part of a residence hall improves social skills. Co-habituating with strangers in close corners puts people out of their comfort zones. From

Freshmen entering into college may already have detachment issues when it comes to having to leave their parents and they may also go into their dorms with high hopes of having no problems. However, freshmen living in residence halls experiences are far beyond

College is a life changing experience for students. College is a new environment for most students and comes with lots of challenges. Things such as the increased difficulty of academic work and not being around the same social groups as a student was before college can make the transition very difficult. One of the best things a student can do to help with this transition is to live in a campus residence hall. Students should live in dorms because of the community that this creates. Students will gain many beneficial social interactions, will be able to better complete academic work, and will ease the adjustment to college life.

As a member of Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Leaders Engaging in Advance Discoveries (LEAD), were are expected to complete eighty hours of service over the course of two academic school years. Each semester VCU LEAD students are required to complete twenty hours of service, ten-community engagement hours and ten leadership hours. I believe that having a requirement of participation hours pushes students to get involved on VCU’s campus and the greater Richmond area, introduces time management, as well as influences them to reflect on their new found experiences.

According to author Micheal F. Shaughnessy, one of the biggest stressors for college students is school related. The transition for a freshman student moving away from home for the first time can be stressful especially if it is their first time away from home or if they move to another state where they do not know anyone. Student may have trouble managing school, work and managing

I have loved every second of having you in my second grade class. You brought so much to our big family in room 110. I will have wonderful memories of you and this class for many years to come. I hope you have many fond memories in room 110.

It was a pleasure talking to you today and I'm really looking forward to your visit. Here is the link with directions to Teachers College. The main entrance is in Zankel Hall on 120th between Amsterdam and Broadway. Once you enter the building our offices are on the 2nd floor of the Grace Dodge building in room 271.

The first year of college comes with many changes and challenges. These changes can include the food in the cafeteria, study habits, time management skills, and much more. Every student has to find their own way to handle the first year and determine what works best for them. For many the most essential change is living away from home. Campus life provides opportunities to become a part of a unique, diversified community. With these opportunities come challenges, such as having a roommate, being away from one’s parents, and determining self-limits.