Four Years of Mudd - Wrapped Up for the Holidays
Could have written this a week ago, but today is the official end of the semester so it seems most appropriate to write this today. Yes, it’s close to the end of 2005, but I still graduated in 2005 like I was supposed to so all is well. As you might expect, this entry is about reflection…but not so much the fun or sad times but about four years of focus, motivation, dedication, and…spanking. Thanks to my new friend Becky for reminding me of these things.
By the end of this final semester at Mudd, I was feeling relief more than anything and wanted desperately to put Mudd behind me. However, working closely with Becky (who is a Junior) reminded me of what it was like to be smack dab in the middle of the Mudd madness, pain, and reaming. Witnessing the reaming from a little distance rather than being reamed myself, I see why Mudd engineers have such a good reputation. More importantly, I understand why I can be confident about my abilities- not arrogant or cocky, no…nothing can be further from the truth about Mudders, but just confident.
I am confident of what I can achieve in any occupation I end up doing. I am not afraid of what lies ahead for me to accomplish. For H.S. students who hope to become Mudders, I am confident not because I think I’m so smart for surviving Mudd, nor is it because Mudd has taught us everything there is to know. Though not all Mudders possess this quality, a lot of Mudders like Becky and myself have pride in our work and keep working towards the goal.
Like in the real world, working towards a goal doesn’t mean you’ll achieve it, even if you work for days, weeks, or months on end…maybe without sleep with only caffeine or energy drinks to keep your top eyelid from falling down. Some Mudders throw in the towel before the end, realizing they can’t achieve the goal. They start partying or drinking. I mean, why shouldn’t they? Why should you work if you know you won’t make the deadline and can have fun instead?
The answer is, in reality, every little bit matters. It might be your career, your or someone else’s money, or even lives. In any event, the world didn’t get to be what it is today with people who just took the easy way out. You can be the smartest person ever born, but you’ll still just be another fat piece of lard if you just sit on your ass all day. On the other hand, heroes are just Average Joes who are diligent and insist on doing the job right.Sure, you can just take life one step at a time, go through the motions, and depend on determined Average Joes to keep the world turning. There’s nothing wrong with that- billions of people do. As for me, I’ve always preferred to depend on myself and have others depend on me than the other way around. So, here’s to those who keep with the Mudd spirit and to making something of myself.
