New Year, Same Hustle

-Nathan Willibard

National Institute of Technology (NIT)

To those who are new, welcome to a new chapter of your life, one where freedom can either be your greatest ally or your biggest challenge. It becomes your best friend when you use it to discover who you are, explore your options, and grow into your true self. Opportunities will be there for you to take; it’s up to you to recognize them.

One of my biggest encouragements is this: be mindful of the company you keep. Choose friends who push you to make wise decisions, not reckless ones. Enjoy your free time, build memories, and make the most of moments outside the classroom, but when you’re in class, be present. When exam time comes, you’ll face it on your own.

These years will give you stories and experiences you’ll carry with you and share with others. So, as we begin a new year, both newcomers and continuing students, let us conquer the year as you conquered the years before, but this time with the freedom that you were given, and the wisdom that has come from the experiences that we have. Let us succeed better than we did before, and let us move with growth in mind and success as a guarantee.