Dear Class of 2020
Dear class of 2020,
Lila here, your President at JMSU.
It is my honour and pleasure to be congratulating you all for your success and achievements this year, and what year it has been for you! I so wish we could be sat in the cathedral right now in your caps and gowns, excited, but nervous, to be making that dreaded walk across the stage celebrating the culmination of hard work, achievements and tenacity!
2020 is a year that will go down in history, and you should be proud of the circumstances in which you're graduating in. These have been testing times for the best of us, and it's a testament to you and your abilities to have made it to this point! Completing a University degree can be difficult, and for many of you, involved balancing studies with a job (sometimes two), volunteering, seeking placements, looking after family, children and so much more! Some of you have travelled far and wide, experiencing a new country and a new culture. You may have been learning your subject in your second, or even third language, and that in itself is an amazing accomplishment!
After dealing with all these things that life has thrown at you, you're now graduating through global pandemic - what an achievement! As student representatives, we know that University is not just about completing your degree, but all those other things that you've experienced that make you stand out from the crowd! So, whether you've joined a Club or Society, campaigned to make things better, become a volunteer or help others through group work, you’re leaving with a set of skills that will set you up for life!
Many students succeed at University through independent commitment and lots and lots of hard work, but many of us it's a team effort. On behalf of the Students’ Union, I'd like to say a massive thank you to all the family, friends, parents, carers, lecturers, support staff and everyone else who has made your experience what it is and got you to this point. They say when one door closes, another door opens, and whilst it might feel like there's a lot of doors closing right now - it only means that there's more about to open! Don't let the current situation take away from all the hard work you put in over the last few years. Go out, grab every opportunity and use this unique experience to tackle life - whatever comes your way.
To all Graduands, you should be extremely proud of your efforts and of everything you've accomplished at your time at LJMU. I truly hope you remember your time here fondly, keep in touch with those friends that you've made and with the University itself. On behalf of the Students’ Union and everyone at LJMU, I'd like to wish you the very best for the future and congratulations!
