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| My senior class photo....14 years ago. How did that happen?? |
1. Always send thank you notes. Paper ones. That you place in the mail. Texts and Facebook posts don't count. When someone gives you a gift or does something kind, buy a box of thank you notes, get a pen, and write a note. It matters.
2. If you need money for something, work for it. (I am not referring to anyone in particular here and I am not trying to piss anyone off. Also, there are emergencies at which asking for help is more than ok and I, myself, frequently send money to people in crisis and donate to non-profits and charities. That's not what I am talking about here.) There is something that makes young people today think it's okay to ask everyone for money. Can't afford the expensive weight loss shakes and video? Start a go fund me account. Can't afford to pay for school or lessons or classes? Beg for cash donations. I see this kind of thing on Facebook constantly. This makes me nutty. Don't have something you need? Go get a damn job. Already have one? Get two. Chasing your dreams is hard. Get to work.
3. Learn to be smart with your money. I swear, there should be a "don't be a money dummy" class for all seniors in high school. It's so easy to get yourself in trouble. Get on a budget now. As soon as you can, start a monthly contribution to a savings account. Even if it's just $25, make it every month without exception. And for the love, don't get caught paying the insane credit card interest rates.
4. Do not knock your hometown. It's okay, good actually, I think, to leave and go see the world. Go meet new people with different ideas and experiences. But don't bash on your hometown. Because the people in that town are the ones who cheered you on at basketball games and brought casseroles when your grandma died, and bought whatever crap you were selling as a school fundraiser. That town, those people are your roots. They made you who you are. Appreciate them.
5. Be kind to people different from you. Just because someone is different than you does not mean you have to be rude or hateful. In fact, you can even be friends. And you might be surprised what you can learn from each other and what you have in common. I grew up never knowing anyone who was vegetarian, Jewish, or a tree hugger. I am a meat-eating, cattle raising, non-hybrid car driving Christian, but I have friends now who fit into each of these categories. I have friends who I guarantee you have never once voted for the same political candidate as me. I have friends who pray the rosary, a former classmate who reads the Koran, and a buddy who spent two years as a Mormon missionary. And I am better for knowing them all. What would the world be like if we all were kind and respectful to those different than us? I pray one day we will know. And I plan to do my part to make that happen. Please do yours.
6. Go to class. It is seriously very hard to fail a class in college when you show up. I don't care if you are tired or hungover or heartbroken or whatever. I had one class where me and two of my guy friends literally played Sudoku puzzles Every. Single. Day. But we were there. Go to class. Butt in the seat. One day when you put on a cap and gown again, you will thank me.
7. Dream big. Then go a little bigger. I think this is the number one piece of advice I would give kids. Especially kids form small towns. You don't even know what possibilities exist. No one ever talked to me about law school when I was growing up. I literally never thought of that as an option. I never knew anyone who traveled to Europe on vacation or even thought about living in a big city apartment by myself. It never occurred to me that I could watch golden helmets run out of the tunnel in South Bend or not die after running a half marathon. But I was able to do all of these things. Dream big. Keep your mind open. Never sell yourself short. You have no idea how much you are capable of.
Here's to you, Class of 2016. The world needs good people. Go be one.
