Ten on Tuesday - 10 Things You Would Tell A High School Graduate

It's incredibly convenient that I'm making my return to the real world on a Tuesday because my weekend was so packed that I'll need a day or so to recover. How nice to have a pre-determined topic for my first post after the long weekend.



This week is a great topic that touches Carole and I very differently. While her daughter is about to graduate from high school, mine is poised to enter. It's a very odd time - both exciting and a little bittersweet. So what are the 10 Things I Would Tell A High School Graduate?

1. Congratulations! You Rock! - making it through High School is definintely an accomplishment to be proud of.
2. Enjoy whatever comes next - Hopefully what comes next is college but whatever is in your personal plan you should savor every minute.
3. If you are going on to college then make the most of it. Learn all that you can. These foundational years will be gone before you know it. Squeeze everything you can out of it.
4. Don't ever feel that you are locked in to a specific plan. If you feel like the path you're on isn't right for you - it probably isn't. Don't be afraid to make the changes when you need to in your personal or professional life.
5. Watch for opportunities. You never know where or when an amazing opportunity will come along.
6. Hold on tightly to your close friends and family. Those who were there for you then will be there for you again and again.
7. Be fiscally responsible - these are trying times and our economy is likely changed forever. The only person you should ever rely on to provide for you - is you.
8. Don't be in such a hurry to be settled. You will never have the same freedom that you have right now. backpack around the world! Do an internship in your dream company. Volunteer with the Peace Corps or some other group doing good works. Try the things that a person with a house and a car and children they're responsible for can only dream of.
9. Take pictures, keep a journal - it all seems so crisp and unforgettable right now but someday your pictures and written observations will help bring the memories to life.
10. Have fun!

*The picture at the top is of t-shirts that my GS Troop made over the weekend.