Giving Back & What Comes Next

This article is dedicated to the class of 2025 and the Journalism Club members from 2024-2025. Thank you all for teaching me and growing with me this year. 

“What advice would you give to students who are about to graduate?” 

A senior toward the back of the classroom asked me this as we finished up our lessons for the day. At the time, I was taken aback at my own role in this interaction. How had I become the adult in the room? Someone who people would ask advice before moving on to another chapter of their lives? 

After a moment, I shared a personal anecdote with the students about accepting your journey as it comes. But the interaction stuck with me – the idea that we all have things to share with each other that can help us through life. With this in mind, I’d like to share with you, the class of 2025, my advice for the future.

Giving Back: Life Advice From Someone Who’s Been There

You never know where life will take you.

Don’t let fear control you. 

As someone who struggles with this, I have this motto tattooed on my arm. Fear can be a teacher and a warning, but it can be all too easy to let fear prevent you from taking the big leap to pursue something you’re passionate about or keep you from leaving that relationship you’re not happy in. 

Use your voice when you have something to say. 

Sometimes, saying what needs to be said can be the scariest thing you could do. A lot of times, it might make some people like you less. But when you speak up for something you believe in, you reach people with your message and with your courage. 

Don’t be afraid to fail. 

As a former perfectionist, I let my fear of not doing something perfect the first time prevent me from learning and trying a lot of things in high school. But the truth of the matter is that you only learn from doing. And sometimes, you won’t do everything right. Only you can make yourself take the next step out of your comfort zone. Even when you fail, you’ll become more resilient and better for it. 

I love working with my hands, so I got really into crafts and painting in my 20s.

Learn how to be alone. 

In high school, you’ve spent the majority of your life around other people. Once you graduate, things are going to change. You might lose touch with friends or the romantic relationship you were so sure about might change from what it was as you grow and mature. You will face loneliness. But being alone doesn’t have to feel lonely. Reach out to loved ones when you need help, but honor your relationship with yourself as well. Learn what things you like to do in your own free time. Spend time getting to know yourself outside of your work, education, and friendships. You will only be stronger and happier for it. 

Life isn’t linear – and that’s okay. 

As someone who moved back in with her parents at age 30, life can sometimes feel like if you’re not constantly moving forward, you’re moving backward. The truth of our lives is that with every step forward in one area, we might fall behind or circle back in another. Maybe you’ve been a go-getter all your life and you’re going to college straight away. Maybe after graduation, you aren’t sure what comes next and you want to take a gap year to discover more about yourself before pushing forward. Maybe you start down one path, only to double back after realizing this path isn’t for you after all. No matter what your life brings you, honor your own journey and live your life with gratitude for the adventure. 

Find small things to feel grateful for during hard times.

Love life and it will love you back. 

No matter what, there will be hard times. Loved ones pass, trials can feel insurmountable at times, we grow apart from people we care about. Through it all, hold onto the idea that our struggles make us who we are as much as the shining triumphs. On a hard day, leave your phone at home and walk around your neighborhood. Listen to the sounds of life around you and remember that every day we get to experience and live and struggle is a gift. We aren’t guaranteed time here. And doesn’t that make it worth everything? 

What Comes Next?

What comes next might look different from person to person, but change is the biggest promise the future has in store for us. Take the future one day at a time, and let yourself grow into your life – whatever it looks like. And always remember: Be kind. The people around you are growing and changing too.

Whatever comes next for you, I hope that you live your life boldly. Work hard, honor your individual journey, and love yourself deeply throughout all of life's ups and downs. Congratulations class of 2025. We’ll see you out there.