When asked to describe my experience at AUD, my mind drifts off into a thousand different thoughts. How could a person breakdown something that has been a part of their life for the past three years into a brief editorial? My experience at AUD has shaped me in so many ways, the best way I know how to explain it is by the analysis of my Saturday morning routine.

My Saturday morning, pre-AUD, was a completely wasted day in my life. I would usually wake up in the late afternoon, and my day-long plan would consist of sitting on the couch and watching an endless lineup of pointless sitcoms. But what once was a wasted day in my life has transformed into a fully productive one. Nowadays, every Saturday morning I feel the need to make the most of my day. My only explanation to this radical change in attitude is that I have acquired a severe case of Carpe Diem. The symptoms include the constant need to be busy, productive and accomplish meaningful goals that I continuously set myself. So instead of sitting in front of the television, I now choose to get started on some projects, go to the library and check out some books I’ve been meaning to read.

My parents call it "maturing", and they sit around discussing how proud they are of me. But to tell you the truth, I can’t take all the credit. I didn’t acquire this 'Carpe Diem' all on my own. There have been many reasons for it. First, my professors, who constantly push me to do better, learn more and try to persuade me not leave those huge projects to the last minute. Then there are my friends who are there along with me, experiencing all the panic, all the late nights and of course giving me all the support.

In the past 3 years I’ve spent at AUD I’ve learned so much and not just academically. I have learned how to manage my life and how to take charge of it. The open learning environment allowed me to ask questions, discover on my own, and learn from my mistakes. Therefore I am sure that for many Saturdays to come I will continue to make the most of my day just as my experience at AUD has taught me.

Isra Abuzayed
Class of Spring 2008