It’s June, and graduation is upon our city. Many youngsters (and
some not so young) will hear their names called, walk across a
stage, get a handshake, a smile and best of all a diploma
describing their accomplishments.
It’s June, and graduation is upon our city. Many youngsters (and some not so young) will hear their names called, walk across a stage, get a handshake, a smile and best of all a diploma describing their accomplishments.
Some advice to graduates seems trite, but is really good advice that is timeless. Don’t let this be your last graduation day. Don’t drink and drive. Avoid drugs. Find a job you love. Volunteer some time. Set aside a portion of your earnings for a rainy day.
How many times have we all heard that? And yet, we’ve heard it often because it is unfailing not only true, but worthy advice.
But the modern, connected, always-busy age we live in can and should add more good advice. Times change, and so do graduates.
Therefore, we will add these:
n Read for pleasure. Not only for your own sake, but for those of your future children, who learn love of reading from parents.
n Just because a myriad of credit card companies send you pre-approved credit card offers, don’t feel you have to take them up on it. And don’t max out the cards if you must get one, either. See above, re: set aside a portion of your earnings. A credit line is NOT a savings account.
n Don’t get all your news from the Internet. Any fool can (and many do) put up a Web page. Subjects published on a webpage are not holy writ; many are simply not factual and some are deliberately deceptive. So, read a newspaper. This one, we hope, but there are many other good ones, as well. And you are not rationed to reading only a single newspaper per day.
n And speaking of the ‘Net, be wary. As demonstrated in stories here fairly recently, there are people on the ‘Net who wish to do you harm. Despite the trustful young people that you are, avoid giving out personal information. Know, too, that employers often look young graduates up on places like MySpace.com, so be intelligent about what you share with the world.
n Listen to your parents. Yes, you’re adults now, but young ones. Someone once said he was amazed at how much smarter his parents got between his 18th and 25th birthday. Old fogeys – and, we assure you, fogeyhood will come to you on fleeter wings than you can imagine – often have good advice to offer because they’ve made the mistakes they want you to avoid.
n Consider wearing this nation’s uniform. The armed forces can be a wonderful learning experience, with lots of travel and money for college later. Please consult the above-mentioned old fogeys before enlisting, however, and be mindful or the risks that one takes (especially in our current troubled times) before repeating that ancient oath that begins “I do solemnly swear …”
The Dispatch Editorial Board wishes each graduate our best. Nothing makes us prouder than to note in our paper when a hero or heroine – large or small – is discussed. “They’re from GILROY!,” is something we enjoy saying with great pride.
