Area seniors will celebrate the end of their high school careers next week. The commencement season kicks off with Wellington High School’s graduation on Tuesday, May 21 and continues with graduation ceremonies for Seminole Ridge High School and Palm Beach Central High School on Thursday, May 23. Royal Palm Beach High School will celebrate the Class of 2013 on Friday, May 24.
Don’t we all wish we could go back to graduation day? For a few hours surrounded by friends and family, graduates find themselves in that magical limbo between high school and whatever comes next, without academic obligations to classes past or responsibilities yet to come. Everything is promise; it is too late for nothing. If we could turn back the clock, there are certainly a few things we’d all do differently. As we do every year, the Town-Crier offers some practical advice to those preparing to take the next step in their lives, wherever that may be.
• Slow Down — As the saying goes: “Life moves fast, if you don’t slow down you might miss it.” Though your new-found freedom may bring exciting twists and turns, opening you up to new opportunities, it is important to remember to stop and appreciate the moment before jumping head-first into new excitement. At the same time, it’s important not to get so bogged down with life that you power through, wasting precious moments. Think back to the days when being a high school graduate was just a far-off dream. One day, you might be dreaming of the next big thing; but don’t wish your life away. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutia of daily tasks and focus on your frustration. Every so often, take a deep breath and look at where you are, who your friends are and what you love about your life today.
• Trust Yourself — That tiny voice in the back of your head is often a guiding light that will help you make smart decisions. Trust it. You know yourself better than anyone else, and only you can make the right decisions for your future. Whether that voice is telling you to take a risk in your profession, warning you away from getting in a car with a friend who’s had a few drinks, or begging you to major in architecture and not engineering, ignoring your intuition is a bad idea. Learning to trust yourself will make you a stronger and more confident person who can truly stand proud behind their work, their beliefs and their goals.
• Nothing Comes Easy — No matter how talented you may be, nothing impresses like hard work and dedication. Be it in school, in your chosen profession, or on the ladder up to your dream job. Hard work is never fun, and it’s easy to let pride and laziness get in the way of success. Not everyone lands his or her dream job on the first try, and that’s OK. Accept the fact that life isn’t always fair, but that doesn’t mean you throw your hands up and admit defeat. Don’t be afraid to take a job that isn’t perfect. Work really hard for what you want; you’ll be a better person for it.
Grads, you’ve got the world at your fingertips and this is the most exciting challenge you have faced yet. Your family and friends love you and are waiting to be impressed. We know you won’t let us down. No pressure, Class of 2013.
