President’s Weekly Messages
Saddle up!
Tuesday, November 15, 2021
Dear Kingsborough Students,
Did I ever tell you about the time I rode my bike from the Bronx to Texas? Ok, I didn’t exactly ride to Texas…but did ride 3261 miles on my Peloton (stationary bike) and that’s approximately the distance from NYC to Texas and back. I didn’t expect that back in January when I set a goal to complete a 1000 rides by the end of the year that I would rack up so many miles, but I did! And best of all I accomplished my goal of 1000 rides before the end of the year!
I will not lie to you, over the past 10 months, there were times (many, many, many times) that I just did not feel like riding. But I pushed myself and got on the bike (even if it was for a few minutes). There were times that I could not push through and I wouldn’t get on the bike for a couple of days, but then I would remember my promise to myself, the goal that I set and I would get on the bike. Along the way, I had to figure out what worked best for me. Riding after work did not work for me, something always got in the way but mostly I was too tired to think of anything else except sitting on the couch and watching TV. I am a morning person, so I quickly realized that riding at 4, 5, and 6 am was best for me. I grew to love riding early in the morning and watching the sun come up. Before I knew it, I was celebrating my 700th, 800th, 900th then 1000th ride! I’ve come a long way.
Last year, I decided to get a stationary bike and started riding because gyms were closed and I knew that I needed to exercise. Many of you have come a long way too. You made the decision to come to KCC and earn your college degree so more opportunities would be open to you. You know what the impact of having a college degree will make for you and your family. Whatever your reasons are, you are here now and we are committed to ensuring that you will accomplish your goals.
KCC students, before you know it you will be picking up your cap and gown and getting ready for graduation. When you feel like giving up, look back to when you started and remember that you are getting closer to accomplishing your goals. In fact, you are closer to reaching your goal than you were in January. Peloton instructors always remind us riders of two things; “we can do hard things” and “together we go far”. Today, I am here to remind you that you can do worthwhile, important and incredible things and that you will go farther than you ever imagined.
You got this.
President Schrader
