Ivy Female Orator Rachel Stromberg | Harvard Commencement 2017 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A humorous and introspective speech addresses the fear of wasting time and reminds the graduating class that their choices have shaped their experiences and identity.

Transcript

[Applause] classmates friends enemies parents faculty and uncomfortable tinder dates in way over your heads welcome to class day I want to thank Joe Biden for being here today and taking this time out of his busy schedule starring in internet memes I'm thrilled to be here today and I hope that this speech will be the most touching hilarious three h... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎓 Graduation brings introspection and reflection on how time was spent during the college years.
• ⌛ The fear of wasting time is common for graduates, but ultimately, it is the choices and experiences that define the value of one's time at university.
• ⌛ The speaker's humorous approach highlights the emphasis placed on time management and the importance of making the most of opportunities.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the speaker speculate about their admissions file?

The speaker wonders why their file had the label "pity admits" stamped on it, questioning if Harvard has adequately prepared them for their future.

Q: What hidden message did the speaker find in the songs played by the Lowell bell ringers?

After decoding the message from the sixth letter of every fourth song played on even-numbered Sundays, the message revealed was a plea for help from a fictional character imprisoned in a bell tower in Paris.

Q: How did the speaker determine where their time at Harvard had gone?

By performing calculations, the speaker determined that most of their time was spent sleeping (12,500 hours), followed by time on the internet, attending lectures, and walking to and from the quad.

Q: What realization does the speaker come to about their time at Harvard?

The speaker realizes that despite feeling like they may have wasted time, their choices and experiences at Harvard have given the last four years meaning and shaped who they are today.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker jokes about being an outsider and reflects on the uncertainty of being prepared for the future after graduating from Harvard.

• The speaker shares a secret message found within the songs played by the Lowell bell ringers, but realizes that the time spent unraveling the message could have been better utilized.

• By calculating how time was spent over the past four years, the speaker realizes that despite feeling like they may have wasted time, they wouldn't change any of it as it has shaped their time at Harvard.