2024 CS Graduation Ceremony

Graduate Yu-Rou Lin Delivers a Graduation Speech

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed Chair, faculty members, and fellow classmates, my name is Yu-Rou Lin, and I am representing the Class of 113 from the Computer Science Department at National Chiao Tung University. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Chair, the administration office, and the CS Student Association for organizing this heartfelt graduation ceremony. Despite their busy schedules, their hard work has made it possible for us to gather here today with our families, mentors, and old friends. Let’s give a round of applause to the organizers of this event. May this applause also reflect our appreciation for everyone present. Congratulations on persevering through a journey that, though marked by a few moments of laughter, was largely filled with challenges and tears.

We are the last cohort to have entered National Chiao Tung University, before it became National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. During half of our four years, we attended online classes while wearing masks. As they say, the three main aspects of university life—academic studies, student clubs, and romance— have likely posed challenges for everyone. The courses at the Computer Science department of NYCU are particularly rigorous. At the start of each semester, we eagerly fill our schedules and attempt to enroll in challenging courses. However, three weeks later, regrets begin to surface: why didn't I drop that class, why didn't I take a break instead? Completing one assignment only leads to the next; finishing all assignments rewards us with the final project. We’ve watched countless sunrises, feeling like the semester would never end, only to realize its brevity when a deadline suddenly looms tonight. In the end, we’ve come to understand that life often repeats itself—next semester, we’ll likely ignore the lessons learned and somehow still find time to squeeze SA into our schedules.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the professors who believed in our potential, encouraging us to push our limits and discover that humans can indeed survive three days without sleep. We also want to thank our classmates who groan alongside us while tackling homework, as well as those who, despite struggling to complete their assignments, are always willing to stay up late with us for a late-night snack. Finally, we owe a special thanks to ChatGPT, whose unwavering support has been crucial in helping us achieve our successful graduation today.

Looking back on this journey, it has been challenging but never lonely. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has helped us, shown us love, supported us unconditionally, and given us tough but honest advice. For those here today, I encourage you to find your own way to thank them. For those who are no longer with us, may you keep them close to your hearts. As the great poet Taylor Swift once said, "We are never ever getting back together. Like ever." It’s entirely possible that we may never meet again after today. Throughout history, many metaphors have been used to describe university life. To me, these four years at university resemble a sprawling Taipei Main Station. Beyond its complex layout, there are countless confusing signs. When we first arrived, some brilliant minds seemed to navigate the station’s maze effortlessly upon stepping off the train, while others, like us who are about to depart, still struggle with finding our way from the MRT to the high-speed rail—we’re complete novices in that respect. Fortunately, over these four years, we’ve encountered many fellow travelers who, like us, were once lost. We took different routes to reach this station and, at the right time, place, and circumstance, we met each other while waiting for our trains. Regardless of the route we took, we will continue on our individual paths. One day, as we waited together, some boarded their trains and left this transit hub, while others unexpectedly changed their plans and took the airport MRT to Taoyuan. In that moment, we all came to understand how easily we can part ways with familiar faces. We faced the fear of separation, extended our blessings, reminisced with laughter about everything that happened, and learned to cherish those still beside us and every fleeting moment spent with them.

Life can be incredibly liberating once we enter college. We gain the autonomy to choose our courses, forge connections, and pursue activities that resonate with us. However, this newfound freedom can also bring uncertainty about our true desires, preferences, future aspirations, and the lifestyles we envision. As we delve into our studies, we are, in a sense, debugging our own lives. Through various trials and errors, we gradually gain clarity about what we genuinely want. For instance, someone might do push-ups at a dinner table to impress the girl he likes, date three girls simultaneously, spend nights partying at clubs upon returning to Kaohsiung, or even embark on a transformative journey and gain "happy fat" to reach a weight of 95 kilograms. In this journey of self-discovery, some individuals are fortunate enough to find what they seek, while others are still on their quest. It’s perfectly okay if you haven’t yet discovered your path. Each of us is navigating our own timeline, and every experience—whether good or bad—contributes to our growth. Don’t let past experiences or societal pressures hold you back. If you have a goal in mind and are prepared to invest the effort and make necessary changes, I truly believe that we can all evolve into our best selves. Let’s continue to nurture our passions and kindness as we navigate our individual journeys. Congratulations on your graduation, and thank you all!