On the first day of TIC, some of us were excited, some of us were scared, many of us were a swirling mix of both. I was of course distracted by the various memes and fan-art on our phones. Also that one person solving a rubix cube really fast. I try not to think about how annoying I was then. I think I’ve come a long way since then. Probably just wishful thinking though. You all will be better though.
During our time at TIC we learned lots of things, some of them listed in the description, some not. We learned how to bet leaves, (as well as bottlecaps and wrappers) drive a wheelie chair, (however badly) and endure countless memes and jerry-mandering.
But most important of all, we learned a lot about ourselves, how far we could go, how much we could learn, how long we could procrastinate.
TIC is a metaphor for life. We start out tentative but eager to learn, still trying to grasp basic concepts, and cement our roles. Halfway through, we question our decisions, and need to feel increasingly Validated. We also wonder how we never knew what an element was. We feel like we have to buy expensive cars. Mostly Photoshop CC2018s, but I know we regretted it later. In the end we look back on everything we’ve done, and realize that this isn’t the end, what we’ve left behind will never truly fade.
So I hope that’s what this is. Not quite the end, that no matter what, no one can take away the time already spent. Instead of an ending, let’s just make it the beginning of a new chapter, even if it is the last.
So my advice to new students:embrace all of it. The unusual, the strange, the confusing, the difficult, and the weird, because there is no place quite like TIC.
-Tabbes.