Michelle Obama ► Never Give Up - Motivational Speech for 2023

Summary

In this heartfelt reflection, the speaker shares their personal journey of overcoming challenges in college, fueled by the values instilled by their parents: resilience, hard work, and hope. Despite facing financial struggles and initial difficulties, they learned to turn setbacks into motivation, gaining skills in time management, problem-solving, and self-belief. They emphasize that true success lies in one's mindset and determination, not external resources. The speaker calls for hope and empowerment, urging young people to pursue education and use it to build a better future, while expressing gratitude for the educators and advocates who support them.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hard work and financial sacrifice played a key role in the speaker's education, with their father contributing despite financial difficulties.
• 😀 College life felt overwhelming at first, with challenges like selecting classes and finding the right buildings.
• 😀 The speaker's dorm room was sparsely furnished, and they struggled with basic needs like fitting sheets for their bed, demonstrating their resilience.
• 😀 Despite these challenges, the speaker embraced the values of making the most of what they had, using common sense, and working hard.
• 😀 The speaker learned valuable life skills in college, such as resilience, problem-solving, and time management, which would serve them throughout their life.
• 😀 The speaker transformed setbacks into sources of motivation, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and planning.
• 😀 A key lesson learned was that personal worth is not determined by financial background, but by what is in one's mind and heart.
• 😀 Hope is a central theme, as the speaker believes that hope drives personal growth and the ability to overcome adversity.
• 😀 The speaker encourages others to keep working hard and believing in themselves, regardless of societal limitations or external judgment.
• 😀 Education is framed as a powerful tool for empowerment, and the speaker urges others to use their education to contribute positively to society.
• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude for educators, advocates, and others who work to lift up young people, emphasizing their critical role in shaping the future.

Q & A

What were some of the financial challenges the speaker faced while attending college?

The speaker’s family relied on loans and grants to cover most of their tuition, with the father contributing a portion through personal checks. Despite limited resources, he was determined to pay his part, even if it meant taking out loans.

How did the speaker initially feel about the college experience?

The speaker felt overwhelmed and unsure about how to navigate campus life. He didn’t know how to choose classes, find buildings, or even furnish his dorm room.

What was the speaker’s dorm room situation, and how did he adapt?

The speaker did not have the right size sheets for his dorm bed, and despite attempting to stretch them, his legs would stick out of the bed. He made the most of what he had, sleeping uncomfortably throughout his freshman year.

What core values did the speaker learn from his parents?

The speaker learned values such as resilience, hard work, common sense, and the importance of helping others. These values became foundational to his approach to life and education.

How did the speaker apply his parents' values to his studies?

The speaker applied values like resilience and problem-solving to his academic life. He used challenges as opportunities for growth, managing stress through planning and seeking feedback from professors.

What did the speaker believe truly mattered in college?

The speaker believed that what truly mattered was not his parents' financial status or the opinions of others, but rather what was in his mind and heart—the internal qualities that shaped his approach to challenges.

What does the speaker mean by 'the power of hope'?

The speaker defines 'the power of hope' as the belief that something better is possible through hard work and perseverance. It is the driving force that allows individuals to overcome doubts, fears, and limitations.

How does the speaker view hope in the context of the country?

The speaker sees hope as a unifying force that drives progress in the country. It encourages people to rise above division, anger, and fear, and to believe in the possibility of a better future if they work hard and believe in themselves.

What message does the speaker convey to young people?

The speaker encourages young people to focus, be determined, and hopeful. He advises them to empower themselves through education and use that knowledge to contribute positively to society.

How does the speaker view the role of educators and advocates?

The speaker expresses deep gratitude for educators and advocates who dedicate themselves to supporting young people. He recognizes their hard work and passion in shaping the next generation.