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

Good Morning America

18 May 202204:32

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Commencement Address and Gratitude

The speaker expresses gratitude to NYU for their honorary doctorate, humorously describing themselves as a doctor who can prescribe catchy songs. They acknowledge the presence of the Class of 2022 and share their elation at being part of the graduation ceremony. The speaker reflects on the role of mentors and family in shaping dreams and moral values, and pays tribute to their own family's sacrifices. They extend a warm welcome to the parents, family members, and educators who have supported the students' academic journey and encourage the graduates to be proud of their achievements, recognizing that life's journey involves both planned and unexpected paths.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Doctor

In the script, 'doctor' refers to the honorary degree conferred upon the speaker by NYU. It is not the traditional medical doctor but rather a recognition of her achievements in the arts. The term is used to humorously set the tone and to highlight the speaker's journey from singing in coffee houses to receiving an honorific title, which is a significant milestone in her career.

💡Catchy Hook

A 'catchy hook' in music refers to a memorable and appealing phrase or melody that grabs the listener's attention and makes the song more likely to be remembered. In the context of the script, it is used metaphorically to describe the speaker's role as a musician whose songs have a lasting impact on listeners, similar to how a doctor would be remembered for their medical expertise.

💡Cathartic

Catharsis is the process of releasing and providing relief from strong or repressed emotions. In the script, 'cathartic' is used to describe the emotional impact of the music she creates, suggesting that her songs provide a form of emotional release for both herself and her audience, which is a powerful aspect of art.

💡Sacrifices

In the script, 'sacrifices' refers to the personal and financial investments made by the speaker's family to support her career. It highlights the theme of support systems and the importance of the sacrifices made by loved ones in helping individuals achieve their dreams and goals.

💡Educational Enrichment

This term in the script refers to the broader benefits of education beyond just academic knowledge, such as personal growth, critical thinking, and the development of a well-rounded individual. It underscores the value of the educational journey that the graduates have embarked upon and the speaker's recognition of the importance of continuous learning.

💡Catch and Release

In the context of the script, 'catch and release' is a metaphor for the process of letting go of burdens and emotional baggage as one grows and moves into new stages of life. It suggests that in order to progress, one must learn to release what is no longer serving them, which is a key aspect of personal development and mental health.

💡Effortlessness

The term 'effortlessness' is used to debunk the myth that success comes without hard work. The speaker advocates for embracing enthusiasm and effort, implying that the appearance of effortless success is often a result of hard work and dedication, which is a common theme in discussions about achievement and perseverance.

💡Life Hacks

In the script, 'life hacks' refers to practical advice or strategies for managing everyday life more effectively. The speaker offers her own life hacks, which are lessons she has learned and wishes she had known earlier. These hacks are meant to guide the graduates as they navigate their post-graduation lives, emphasizing the importance of practical wisdom.

💡Breathing

Breathing is used both literally and metaphorically in the script. Literally, as the speaker jokes about her new understanding of breathing as a 'doctor,' and metaphorically to describe the process of coping with life's challenges. It symbolizes the need to take things one moment at a time and to manage stress through mindful practices.

💡Dancing

In the context of the script, 'dancing' is a metaphor for living life with joy and enthusiasm. The speaker encourages the graduates to continue 'dancing' through life, suggesting that maintaining a positive and active attitude is crucial for navigating the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead.

Highlights

Gratitude expressed to NYU for the honor of being a 'doctor', albeit not a traditional one.

Humorous reference to not being the type of doctor needed in an emergency, unless it's for a catchy song.

Acknowledgment of the song '22' as a reason for the speaker's presence at the graduation.

Expression of elation at being present for the graduation of NYU's class of 2022.

Appreciation for those who read stories, taught to dream, and provided moral guidance.

A tribute to parents and family for their sacrifices in supporting the students' education.

Recognition of the support from mentors, teachers, and friends in the students' educational journey.

Encouragement to be proud of what the graduates have achieved with their education.

A reminder that life is unpredictable and one must be content with what they receive.

Advice on the importance of letting go of grudges and unnecessary burdens as part of growing up.

Emphasis on not being ashamed of showing enthusiasm and trying, as effortlessness is a myth.

A metaphorical explanation of life's journey post-graduation, emphasizing the importance of choices.

A reflection on the difficulty of choosing the right path and the importance of breathing through life's challenges.

A humorous claim to expertise in breathing, as a newly minted 'doctor'.

A closing sentiment of pride in sharing the graduation day with the class of 2022 and an encouragement to keep dancing.