Experiment with entirely new ideas and challenges, with different versions of yourself, different ways of expressing your vision, your promise, your voice. Puzzle about that proposition. Test it out. See if you can experience what it might actually mean. Take intellectual risks and don't worry too much about making mistakes.
Life is long and most mistakes are correctable.
Be true to yourselves, be good to yourselves, and be good to one another. This inclusive, reflective, supportive community we have all joined is as crucial to your education as anything you'll encounter in class. When I was a student here, many years ago, John F. Kennedy was president. I am a Berliner. In a similar spirit, let me say today to you, my first first-year class, I am a member of the Class of 1997.