My claim to speak authoritatively to graduating high school seniors is that I was born in 1928.
Age is a powerful retrospective credential. In other words, been there, done that.
1. Get as much education as you possibly can while you are young since it is what will mostly dictate the life that you will lead for the next 60+ years. Of course winning the lottery or being accepted by the NFL/NBA would change this admonition. It will initially be tempting to get a minimum wage job enabling you to make car payments while living with Mon and Dad but that time is limited. Then there is always the likelihood of ‘falling’ in love and its complications/responsibilities.
2. Accept that everyone is not going to get a college degree. Billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates was a college dropout. There are other worthwhile options: attending a Community College (FDT, NTC) or a Vocational School. Recently I talked with a teacher at the local Tech School who probably has a graduate degree who said that his son who instead of going to a traditional college trained as an electrician and is already making more money than his Dad. Additionally, there are wonderful opportunities in the Armed Forces. Just about any field one would want to pursue is available for those who are qualified plus gaining future educational benefits for later civilian schooling. Too, the benefits cannot be matched; however this could be a risky move should your services be required in the Middle East.
3. You can expect to live a long life (Life expectancy will probably be c. 100 by that time.) and ultimately (hopefully) retire. Good advice is to begin saving for that distant day as soon as you earn your first check. The amount does not need to be crippling, a small deposit invested over a long period of time will more than double. You say you will have Social Security? Whoa! The grim news we read about that ‘guarantee’ is that when you do reach the golden years, you might still be dependent on your own resources. The Uncle you are depending on might be broke.
4. Someone has said that if you love what you do, it’s not work. Perhaps. But the advice is to decide early in your life what you would happily like to do for the next 50 years and make it happen. This might mean a change of direction should you get off on the wrong foot. Life, after all, is about choices.
5. Make friends. Friendship can compensate for a less than enviable bank account. Join a civic club, a team, a church, a fraternal order, become active in social networking or simply meet with locals at Hardee’s for morning coffee.
6. Having a family is the aim of most people, and the best time to start one is when you are young but not too young, seniors. It’s probably the most difficult task you will ever face but the most rewarding. It will give you an opportunity to make sure (maybe) the next generation answering to you does not make the same mistake (s) you made.
7. Life is not fair. Some of your classmates will continue to be overachievers while most will be ‘average’ and a few will fail. Work hard to achieve what you accept as a successful life although perhaps without the fancy cars, beach homes and hefty bank accounts. Try to find contentment in life. Happiness does not depend on ‘things’ after all.
8. Remember that life is one ‘danged’ thing after another and certainly not predictable in many cases. Learn to adapt keeping in mind: “This too will pass away.” Often better second chances are available for those who persevere. If you first don’t succeed, try, try again, advice that will come in handy often.
9. Perhaps your greatest contribution to your community will be what you give of yourself. Share your time as a volunteer to make life better for others.
10. Accept the fact that tomorrow is not guaranteed. When you are history, leave a legacy of someone who made a memorable difference.
Welcome to the real world; it can be scary yet exciting and rewarding.
Congratulations!
By the way, as a reader, what advice would you add to this list?
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Bill Lee
P.O. Box 128
Hamer, SC 29547
