'Never be ashamed of trying': Taylor Swift tells Class of 2022 in commencement speech l GMA

Summary

In a heartfelt commencement address, the speaker, a self-proclaimed 'doctor' of music, thanks NYU for their honorary degree and shares their journey from coffee houses to the stage. They express gratitude to family and mentors for their support and offer life advice to the graduating class of 2022. The speaker emphasizes the importance of letting go of grudges, embracing enthusiasm, and navigating life's choices with the understanding that every decision leads to the next. With a nod to their new title, they encourage the graduates to keep dancing through life, celebrating their achievements together.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker expresses gratitude to NYU for their honorary doctorate and humorously describes their expertise in songwriting rather than emergency medicine.
• 🎤 The song '22' is mentioned as a significant reason for the speaker's presence at the commencement ceremony.
• 🎉 The speaker shares their elation in celebrating the graduation of NYU's class of 2022 with the audience.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The importance of acknowledging and thanking family, mentors, and teachers for their support and sacrifices is highlighted.
• 🌟 The speaker admits they are not qualified to tell graduates what to do but offers life advice based on their own experiences.
• 💡 Life can be burdensome, and the speaker advises on the importance of letting go of grudges and unnecessary burdens to move forward.
• 🔥 The speaker encourages graduates to embrace their enthusiasm and not be ashamed of striving for their goals.
• 🚀 Leaving the structured environment of school, the speaker emphasizes that every choice made will lead to the next, creating a unique path for each individual.
• 🌱 The speaker acknowledges the difficulty in choosing a path and encourages breathing through life's challenges.
• 🏥 With their new title as a doctor, the speaker humorously references their understanding of the mechanics of breathing.
• 💃 Lastly, the speaker expresses pride in sharing the graduation day with the class of 2022 and encourages everyone to keep dancing through life.

Q & A

What is the speaker's profession as mentioned in the transcript?

The speaker is a musician, specifically a singer-songwriter who has a song called '22.'

Why does the speaker feel they are not the type of doctor to have around in an emergency?

The speaker humorously implies that they are not a medical doctor but rather a 'doctor' in the sense of having achieved a degree, as their expertise is in music, not medicine.

What is the main reason the speaker believes they are at the event?

The speaker believes they are at the event primarily because of their song titled '22,' which likely resonates with the graduating class of 2022.

What does the speaker express about their family's support?

The speaker expresses deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by their family, particularly their parents and brother Austin, which allowed them to pursue their musical career.

What advice does the speaker offer about handling life's challenges?

The speaker advises to not carry all burdens at once, to let go of grudges and unnecessary updates, and to decide what is important to hold onto.

What does the speaker suggest about the myth of effortlessness?

The speaker suggests that the idea of achieving success without effort is a myth and encourages embracing the reality of hard work and dedication.

What is the speaker's stance on showing enthusiasm for things?

The speaker advocates for not hiding one's enthusiasm for things and advises against being ashamed of trying or of making efforts.

How does the speaker describe the transition from school to the real world?

The speaker describes it as leaving the structured environment of school and charting one's own path, where every choice leads to the next.

What does the speaker suggest about the importance of breathing in navigating life?

The speaker metaphorically uses breathing to suggest the importance of enduring life's challenges, emphasizing the need to breathe in, through, deep, and out.

How does the speaker relate to the graduating class of New York University's class of 2022?

The speaker relates to the graduating class by sharing the pride of the day and the common experience of stepping into the unknown, encouraging them to keep dancing like they are the class of '22.