Last month I had the priviledged opportunity of delivering a speech to students graduating from the University.

During the writing of my speech, I became inspired by a book that I had recently read called ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’ which helped me to encourage students, speak to their hearts and even make some of them cry. So to give you a taste of what an incredible experience it was, I thought I would share my speech with you all.

Oh, and remember, like Sir Patrick Stewart suggested to me: “Whenever you have an audience of 350 people in front of you, take it steady, and make sure that your listeners have the opportunity to understand well what you are saying.”

“Dear Vice Chancellor, esteemed guests, members of academic staff, proud friends and family and most importantly graduates of the University of Huddersfield. On behalf of Huddersfield Students' Union, I welcome you all and congratulate you for the hard work that has culminated in your graduation today.

It is my pleasure and my honour to be stood here, as Vice President of your Students' Union, with the incredible opportunity to deliver this speech in front of you all, and honestly, congratulations for your brilliant achievements.

Let's not forget that you are here today also because of the efforts, hugs, cups of tea, and the overall fundamental support given by your friends, teachers, and family. Higher Education represents a key moment in your lives, and looking back at this time in years to come you will be proud of the dedication everyone put in.

I just want to make sure that today will represent a memorable day, and that it will stay in your hearts forever. Today is the start of the rest of your lives, adventures, careers and stories, but most importantly of your happiness.

Blimey, your future is so bright I think I might wear sunglasses.

Alright then, now that I have attempted to make you laugh, it's probably best if I continue with my speech.

Recently I have been reading a very interesting book called, ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’, a book that goes through six common sense principles to transform people's lives. Therefore, I would like to donate their brilliant words to you, you deserve it after all.

Being brilliant, successful and happy is not about changing who you are - it is about finding out what works for you, and doing more of it.

Look at you here, today is your graduation ceremony, all *** of you.  It’s wonderful I can see so much talent, passion, creativity, ideas, dreams, desire and strength.

You are brilliant!  Do not burden yourself with questions like:

"What is happening tomorrow? What job should I go for? When will I next see my course mates? What do I really want to do?"

Well, I sometimes ask myself these questions.

So, this is how I would respond to these questions to help you take a few little steps towards your own future:

1.Stay calm and take a deep breath

2.Identify where you want to be

3.Do what you love, and what makes you feel at your best

 And finally...

4.Just be your brilliant self

Remind yourself every day, put it down on paper, write it on a million post-it notes, you can even try and tattoo it if you must.

I wish each of you the very best of happiness and luck on your personal journey.

So now, go out, explore, dream and discover. Good luck!

Thank you for listening and congratulations again! You have made it!”

Coco Toma

Vice President Communications & Democracy