Another high school graduation is almost upon us so perhaps you'd like to take this opportunity to share some wisdom learned during the years AFTER diplomas are presented and hugs and tears are shared.
This is the 13th year since my own high school graduation and although it seems like ages ago, sometimes I have a hard time remembering that I'm now an adult and in my 30s! lol. How funny and how quickly time passes.
Okay, here are some of my own life experiences and bits of wisdom that I'll pass on. Please feel free to add your own. Or, if you are one of the privileged who are graduating in the next couple of weeks "CONGRATULATIONS." Perhaps you'd also like to contribute some thoughts or have some big question on life that you need help with!
1. Don't run up a bunch of credit cards. Hard lesson learned (twice now). Pick one or two good cards with a low interest rate and stick with them. Don't fall for all those department store cards and gimmicks. Your credit score is IMPORTANT. Don't ruin it early on.
2. It's HARD to maintain your high school friendships after graduation. Between families and work and working overtime, there's not too many hours in the day left to hang out like old times. You gotta really work at it and make time to get in touch (or hope your friends make the time to call you!).
3. Work isn't everything. Don't stick with a dead-end job that you are not happy with. Life is too short and you spend too much time at work anyway. If you are not happy and not making the money you thought you would ... move on! That is one of the best (although hardest) decisions I ever had to make.
4. Keep a balanced checkbook. For most of us, money is tight. I'm pretty good with my checkbook these days (finally!) but for a while there, I'd be crossing my fingers that a check wouldn't get to my bank before I could get the funds in there. Once you have bounced four or five checks at a time, you'll learn this lesson the hard way. Bank fees add up FAST!
5. Don't visit a car lot and buy a new car in the same day. Another tough lesson learned. I had a car that had an oil leak in it. Just for the heck of it, I stopped at a car dealership in Savannah on a Sunday afternoon and before I knew what happened, I was driving a new car home that night! Loved the car but I hadn't really looked at my budget good before I'd jumped into that! Needless to say, a few months later the car wasn't mine anymore.
Okay, so I realize that many of my thoughts have to do with money issues. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that you just gotta have to get by with. But, again, I surely believe that money isn't everything. It doesn't buy you happiness or love, as the song goes. Be good to the people closest in your lives, maintain a positive attitude and outlook, and take time to enjoy the life around you. Do your part to make the world a better place.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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7 comments:
Diplomas or Attendance ?
I must say that I am appalled that our county high school system can allow this years (and previous years) high school students participate in graduation ceremonies when they have not even earned a high school diploma be it college prep or general studies curriculum !
The privilege and honor to take that "walk" was originally for those students who completed and successfully passed or excelled in all classes in their high school education and EARNED A DIPLOMA for the hard work and dedication to THEIR EDUCATION. But now it appears that even if a student successfully "Attends" high school regardless if they successfully pass the required classes, they too get the privilege of taking that "walk" as well, and get a certificate of attendance !!! Excuse me, a certificate of attendance ? What achievement is that ? If a student knowingly is under the impression that it is acceptable to only attend high school, and that grades and learning are not the primary focus, what kind of message is this sending to our future leaders ?
Makes you wonder why Georgia is rated SO LOW in the High School ratings of the 50 states !
I Congratulate those 2007 graduating students earning a diploma and other awards from Tattnall County High School ...
YOU EARNED IT and should be PROUD OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENT !
That's government education for you. To think that parents send their kids to these places is really quite amazing.
Actually, TCHS doesn't allow people who haven't earned their diploma to walk across the stage. That policy ended a few years back, and rightfully so.
It is really hard to keep in touch with your fellow graduates, but with the advances in online networks such as Facebook, this is becoming much easier.
If there is any advice I could give to incoming College Freshman, I would advise that you take your first semester to figure out a study pattern. I was smart enough to figure out how to balance school, work, and my social life that semester, rather than bombing out and losing HOPE right off the bat. I know a lot of people who didn't get through that first term simply because of poor time management. Learn it early, learn it well; it's a skill that you're gonna take with you to the workplace.
If you don't have an online bank account, look into activating it. This is a great time to have real time numbers on where your balance is. Additionally, this takes the guesswork out of balancing your checkbook if you're mathematically handicapped like myself.
Finally, expand your horizons. Don't be too worried about your old friendships that you don't take time to worry about making new ones. While you'll always have friends from high school that you try to keep in touch with, you've also got to move on with your life enough to find people in your school or workplace that are similar to you. Believe me, if you ever felt limited in high school as to who you could hang out with, in College, you'll find a whole bunch of people who are similar to you -- and plenty that aren't. Embrace the diversity. Learn something about someones culture that's different than yours, you'll understand far more about people by doing so.
The advice contained in the song, Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen is actually excellent advice as well. Sometimes I listen to it over again just as a reminder.
My advice for the graduates... Tattnall County is just a speck on the Earth's surface. Don't be afraid to get out there and see more of the world while you're young and able. There are more college options than Statesboro and a lot more job opportunities outside of Tattnall County than there are within. Don't get tied down to a job, a relationship, etc. until you've had a chance to get out and experience a little life. If Reidsville/Glennville is your hometown, it will always be your hometown and it will be there whenever you decide that you've seen enough and want to come back home.
I have a few things:
1. There are many immigrants who do pay taxes, and unlike us cannot file income taxes, because they are illegal, so please put that out there, many people are mis-informed.
2. When is there going to be something for our youth put in place, such as a YMCA, etc. What are we (Reidsville) going to do when all of the THUGS that are selling drugs on the street corners (beside the TATTNALL HEALTH CLINIC) going to do when their children grow up and become drug dealing thugs like their mothers and fathers? I see it all the time, now please tell me why the police don't see it? Come on NOW. Reidsville is so worried about cleaning up and my children have nothing to do during the summer!
3. Jack Hill what exactly do you do in this community to help it? If Reidsville wants to clean something or renovate something they need to go to HILLS shopping center!!!
All I can offer is there's a world out there just waiting for you. Glennville/Reidsville is not the world, it may be your home, but honey there's so much more out there. Please take time to travel to other places, expand your mind to include other cultures and the many people of the world. Don't settle on one job if you're not happy. This is your time, and you will be our leaders one day. Make us proud!! We love you and we are counting on you. Congratulations!!
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