Lessons Learned

As students return to campus, hauling precious possessions across campus and into compact dorm rooms, I'm reminded of just how young these adults truly are.  I'm surrounded by them whenever I wander outside my building - and we have some who work for us - but they always appear older than their 18-22 years.  Sometimes.  

I work out with them at the rec center and cringe at their obvious insecurities - or minimal amounts of clothes.  It's so painfully obvious that each and every one of them wants acceptance.  And does that feeling, that need, ever truly go away?

If I could give them a few pieces of advice, it would sound something like this....

1.  When faced with the horrific question of "What do I want to be?," think instead, "What would I enjoy doing everyday?"  Ask any adult you know - going to work is not fun.  But, hopefully, with some guidance, you can find something you can tolerate doing every single day.  Go to work with your parents, with your grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors....  See what the real world is like.

2.  Don't change for anyone in order to gain acceptance.  Don't wear revealing clothes because a guy likes it.  Don't change your hair to please a guy.  If they - guys, girls, friends - don't like the natural you, then they will never make you happy because you will never feel accepted.

3.  Don't wear workout clothes for any reason other than working out.  Have some pride in yourself.  No one wants to see your butt hanging out of your shorts.  And anyone who wants to see that, doesn't care about anything that matters.  Common decency and dignity are no longer in style....but they're the only things that will get you to a good place in life.

4. Don't fee rushed.  There's no hurry to date, to drink, to lose your virginity....  These years will pass in a blur.  Work hard and have fun - but don't rush anything.  There's time enough for everything you want to do.

5.  Start a retirement account at age 18 and put $20 into it every month.  You will thank me.  Compounding interest is an amazing thing. 

There you go.  Now, go and have fun.  But study hard!