Advice to the Graduate

This time last year I was graduating high school, and now my younger, and much cooler cousin, is graduating. I have learned and changed a lot this past year, so for Drew, and the rest of you graduates, here is my small list of advice going into year one of college.

Fake it til you make it.

On my first day I was crying before I even got out of the car. I was driving all over and I couldn’t find a parking spot anywhere. I didn’t know where to go. I hadn’t listened to my friends who kept reminding me to get there early because of the parking situation. For those of you who know me, I’m sure this is a shock to you. (Seriously kidding.) I found a place to park at the last minute and dried up the tears. No one could know that I had totally lost my chill five minutes before walking into class. I’ve found in the past year that if you present yourself as a confident adult then your professors, advisers, and anyone you need help from, will take you so much more seriously.

The freshman 15 is real. 

  

Take care of yourself. Take the stairs. Say no to the ice cream in the middle of the night… Or don’t, but just don’t be surprised when it happens.

After thinking about this I’m actually not sure how likely it is that you’ll have to worry about the freshman 15, Drew. You eat enough for three people already and don’t seem to be affected, but for anyone else reading this: you’ve been warned.

Go to class. 

Just do it. You’ll be happy you did. You can take a nap afterward. (I strongly encourage the nap actually.)

As my dad always says, “Be where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to be doing, when you’re supposed to be doing it.”

You can change your mind. 

Don’t feel pressure to know exactly what you want to do right when you start. Do your research. Think about what you love to do and what you want to accomplish in your life. I think when you figure out those two things and pray for God’s guidance then you’ll figure it out. Give yourself time to grow and change before you get stuck doing something you don’t want to do.

Talk to your parents. 

You’re making big decisions and they want to be part of it. Remember they know you better than anyone. It might be good to talk to them if you want to be a nighttime security guard so they can remind you that you’re still afraid of the dark. (Just an example.)

Get used to being poor. 

First thing before the semester starts you’re going to go to the financial office and you’re going to sign papers. It will feel like selling your soul. Books are expensive. Tuition is expensive. Paying for all your meals is expensive. Everything is expensive. 

 

My final advice is pretty generic: don’t do drugs, make good choices, be kind, look both ways before you cross the street, work hard, be careful, and have fun.