I would like to assemble a whole page of advice for our soon to be graduates.
This sage advice will be collected and curated and kept here on this always accessible platform, and printed and given to our young friends on May 17 (Senior Celebration). I know some of you prefer in-person communication, however I think it is important that this be collected online.
Perhaps it is simple things like laundry and cooking skills. Perhaps it is big stuff like 'be nicer than you feel'. Think of it as a 'cookbook' for life beyond high school (and Running Start).
Please use the comment section below to offer your wisdom (and include your age range, young adult, middle adult, or, mature adult).
Here are my Top 5:
- Know how to boil water and bake a potato.
- Room decor is nice, but basic tools such as a thermometer and a flashlight are critical.
- Always have crackers, tea and applesauce, because college life is quite the germ fest and you never know when you will get sick.
- Some people end up on the path they thought they were starting as they entered college and they absolutely love it. My guess is that this is the minority. Most people change course, so do not be afraid to redirect.
- Stay involved in an inter-generational community (like a church, but it could be something else). Peer-group-think can lead people down wretched pathways. There is tremendous value in finding a community that has elders to trust and children to be a good model for. All these years later I am deeply thankful for the community of families I babysat for in college. There were about 5 families, they all practiced with our Church and happened to mostly be part of the same law firm. They welcomed me into their homes and would feed me at dinner parties before going out. I frequently say that they loved me into the church. That is true, but they were also an incredible gift to my well being in those college years.
(Advice for the Parents of Graduates here)
Eat green things and protein!
ReplyDeletethat was Kelley!
DeleteMake sure you have enough chargers. Talk with professors, they are humans who probably care about you. -Erik
ReplyDeleteBring your SSN card, the actual one. You need it to get a job; even with the school! -Kate
ReplyDeleteKeep a careful planner, show up to class everyday, no matter what, unless you are vomiting. -Kelley
ReplyDeleteGo to church occasionally. Because you will need to maintain your connections and have a place to go for quiet and reflection. -Sandi
ReplyDeleteWhen you hear your parents voice in your head, as you experience questionable options, LISTEN TO IT!!! - Linda
ReplyDeleteJoin a club or an inter-mural sport. -Stan
ReplyDeleteCall your parents. Do not just text them. Conversations are valuable and beloved. -Jane and Kelley
ReplyDeleteCheck your email. Respond to them, and in a reasonable amount of time, as if you are writing a important letter. -Neil
ReplyDeleteFind your passion, and live it out! That's how you will find your vocation--what you are called to do. (And know that it might take time--a lot of time-- to figure this out. That's okay.) -Victoria H.
ReplyDeleteSurround yourself with positive, encouraging people. This is the time of your life when you'll really develop strong, lasting friendships and relationships!
ReplyDeleteSave as much money as possible. Have fun, but you don't have to ball out all the time to do it. SAVE YOUR MONEY.
ReplyDeleteBelieve in yourself and what you're doing. Whatever it is. Kinda trite, but seriously. Respect yourself. #1 priority.
If you go to college, don't feel like you have a lot to prove. Just be yourself (!!!) and don't apologize for it. Don't let people, especially upperclassmen, intimidate you. Everyone has been in your place. Sometimes you might have to stay up all night studying. It's going to be ok; you can do it. You need less sleep than you think you do. Cereal is a great midnight snack, but you should definitely make eating healthy a priority. Going to the gym too. Your energy will be better. Tell people what you think and how you feel. You don't have to be friends with everyone, but be kind to them anyway. DO NOT USE YIK YAK. Actually do your reading all semester. You will be way less stressed at exam time or when you need to write papers.
College is absolutely crazy. It’s fun, and stressful, and just insane. You’ll make great memories and learn a lot. I just finished my first year at the University of Arkansas, and I love it!
ReplyDeleteThe hardest thing I found was learning to manage my time. You’ll find yourself really busy, especially in those first few months. Do those things, but remember to do your homework, or studying first. You really don’t want to be up all night working on a paper or studying for a test the next day. Make some time for the gym; the freshman 15 is real and you will be affected by it. And don’t forget to sleep; it’s important but often forgotten.
Join a club, Greek life, a church or some kind of organization. Not everything will be for you, but you’ll find a place where you fit in! Plus you get a ton of free t-shirts. Oversized t-shirts are the unofficial uniform of the University of Arkansas.
Learn to do laundry. When you do it take the opportunity to get some studying out of the way. The amount of people not knowing how to do it is ridiculous and you need to learn. You really don’t want to get smelly. Speaking of smelly, shower. Everyday. And learn to clean your room. It gets gross fast, you don’t want to live in that environment.
Bad things will happen, and it’s okay. I had to deal with my friend dying during my first semester, and it really effected me. I talked about it with my friend, who’s now my best friend, and it really helped just to talk about it. I was able to grieve, but I was also able to accept it. It’s okay to be sad, just make sure you don’t let it become all of you.
Be yourself. If you don’t know who you are then work on finding who you are. Not everyone is going to like you, but that’s okay because you’re not going to like everybody. Just remember to treat them with respect and kindness.
College is a lot of fun, and a lot of work. This past year has been the best of my life, and I hope y’all will have as much as I did!
Find an engage in the Campus Ministry of your faith tradition of origin. There you will find a chaplain and a group of people whose ministry are specifically focused on the life experiences, crisis, joys, and rhythms in which you are enmeshed as a student... a community of faith whose sole purpose is to get you and help make the Gospel particularly relevant to your current predicament.
ReplyDeleteMy best advise to soon to be high school graduates are:
ReplyDeletethere are many paths in life. If you go to a four year college, that's awesome. If you go to community college, that's awesome. If you go to a technical school, that's awesome too. If you go straight into the work force or military, yes! That's awesome, because that's where your life is taking you. Follow your heart, and always challenge yourself. Although you made it this far in life, with this amazing accomplishment, you still have so so much about life and the world to learn. Remember that although the bar in life is constantly raising within society, to keep your own bar and always work to improve yourself for yourself. Remember to keep yourself organized the way you feel successful (because everyone does it differently). Remember how to center yourself when life become the worst headache.
One of the best quotes that I recently learned is, "When life is full of chaos, find a place to be still." Self care. Whatever that looks likes that is healthy and best for you. Take time to think about your needs, wishes, goals.
Don't drink in excess. It isn't cool. It never has been cool. If someone ever pressures you to drink/smoke/other rec drugs because everyone else is doing it, find different friends. They aren't worth your time.
Tofu is not just for vegetarians, and meat isn't the only source of protein. I am talking specifically to you gents, especially if you are an athlete. Eating leafy greens and tofu doesn't lower your masculinity, just like eating only meat doesn't raise it. Be adventurous and try something new. You might like it! And for those going to college; that is not an excuse to eat a burger everyday of the week. Learn to budget your money and eat something other than fried foods (because I know they will usually price cheaper).
The key to life is clear, honest communication. Don't be afraid to explain yourself to someone (especially if you care about them). That also means being honest with yourself.
Learn your limits and respect them. Just because someone can pull an all nighter studying for something, does not mean you need to/have to. It is not required of [college] students. But that also doesn't mean, doing a big project the night before because someone else can. Learn your balance and what you need to do, to do the best work.
Don't be afraid to get involved within your community where ever that may be. Whether that be joining a sport team, book club, some type of club, volunteering, religious organization, or what have you there is always a place for you.
Don't plan your future based off of your significant other. Maybe your parents did that and it was a successful story, but you are not your parents and should always strive to what is best for you.
Remember to give yourself grace and space to grow. Where ever your life takes you next, remember that making mistakes is okay; learn from them. Remember that you don't have to be perfect and that you are always growing and developing in your skills. - Caitlin Dawes, 21, Middlish Adult