It’s that time of year again! Graduation is right around the corner or has already happened for some colleges.

The world looks a lot different since the last graduation season. We’re actually having graduations this year. My own college graduation was postponed to this weekend. So having been a year removed from college “graduation” and five years removed from high school, I wanted to give some advice I’ve learned that any graduate could benefit from.

1. Be able to introduce yourself- This is will always be something asked of you. It’s an excellent idea to be able to speak clearly and have a firm handshake.
2. Figure out who you wanna be- what do you want to do? What are your goals? Then go after it
3. Don’t be afraid of change- I know firsthand that change can be scary. But change is gonna happen. So go with it. Let it happen.
4. You don’t have to have it all figured out now- I know there’s pressure in society to know what you want to do once you graduate, but it’s totally okay not to know.
5. Try new things- you are never too old for new things. If it’s something you want to do, it doesn’t matter how old you are for most things. You should still do the things you want.
6. Never stop doing what makes you happy- I know this one seems obvious, but it can be easy to get swallowed up by careers and the responsibilities of life. Continue to find things you enjoy and things that make you happy. They add to the joy of life.
7. Never stop learning- I don’t care how old you are. You can always learn something new. It is never too late to learn something.
8. Kindness is the best legacy- no matter what else you’re remembered for, make sure you’re remembered for being kind. There’s enough nastiness in the world. Don’t add to it.
9. Budget and pay your bills- use your money wisely. Take care of the things you need to. Pay your bills on time or early. This way you can work to manage your debt and not fall behind on other things. Bills first and then spend your money on fun things.
10. Have fun- Yes, adulting is paying bills and going to work, but just because you do those things doesn’t mean you can’t also do fun things. Take cooking classes, ride roller coasters, learn to paint or draw. You’re not meant to suffer through life.

Well there you have it! Congrats on graduating and best of luck as you pursue your goals and dreams!