Dear Class of 2026: Some common sense advice you won’t find on ChatGPT
Dear Class of 2026,
Today’s message is more about common sense than artificial intelligence.
It’s the best tips and advice I’ve received over many decades, or since I was you, a graduate. It was a different world. But not really.
Here goes:
Put your diploma away in a safe place immediately. You won’t lose it and have to pay your alma mater for a new copy decades from now.
Read a lot.
Write a lot too.
Say “please” and “thank you.”
Listen to 1970s music. It’s the best ever.
Remember, nothing is private now that you have a cell phone.
Admit when you are wrong. Don’t take blame if you are right.
Trust carefully. Remember you won’t be trusted until you show trust in others.
Be loyal to your favorite teams, in good times and bad.
Don’t steal someone’s joy.
Don’t allow someone to steal your joy.
My late dad often said, “It’s not hard to be kind.” Others will be kind to you.
Take a chance. You can’t win a lottery if you don’t buy a ticket.
Don’t take too many chances.
Take a deep breath.
Laugh at yourself.
Be a team player. Wherever you go, whatever you do, get along with others. If not, you won’t be around long.
Vote.
Respect others’ space. Not everyone wants to be hugged. They are still good, warm people.
Listen to others who don’t look like you, talk like you, pray like you, eat like you, vote like you. You will be better for it.
Exercise.
Hope is a good thing. Hold on to it.
Go to a doctor regularly.
Listen to the doctor.
Don’t forget your roots. Your family, friends, schools, hometown, teachers, coaches, neighborhoods, houses, roommates. It’s who you are.
Roll with change. It beats getting rolled over by it.
Don’t be overwhelmed by change. You can do it. You will do it.
Hug your parents. Someday, you’d give anything to hug them again.
Watch your language. And words. It’s not always what you say, but how you say it.
Watch what you write. Life does not have an eraser.
Support live music.
Quit dreaming. Just go there.
In five years, go to your class reunion. Stay in touch.
Thank your teachers and coaches. It will mean a lot to them.
Put your phone down on the table during meals. No texts. No calls. You will be OK.
Nobody is going to knock on your door and hand you success. Go find it. Make it.
Mind your own business.
Splurge occasionally.
Be proud but don’t brag or boast.
Put sunscreen on your ears.
