For the graduates...
The end of the academic year always provides a chance for reflection. For graduating students it is their launching pad into whatever life has to throw at them. I often tell young people that "The storm is coming!" when presenting to them in workshops or in large groups. This is not to be negative but the reality is that no matter how well you plan and prepare for things to be the way you would like, that isn't necessarily the way that life goes. Bad things happen to good people and there is precious little you can do to stop them, which is exactly the same as a storm...there is precious little you can do to stop it. You can however, be prepared to face the challenges that a storm presents. I also like to tell them that life isn't about avoiding the storm, but more about how you dance in the rain.
I had some advice for the class of 2024 this year and I like to do this for my students every year. In one of our final lessons of the year the assessments are all completed and the formalities completed, we come together for one last time as a group having spent 2 years learning and growing together 3 times a week. I have the students write positive affirmations about each of their classmates and I work it into a one page document with a class photo of all of us and send it to them via snail mail so that they receive it at home.
Friendships forged and relationships established it all comes to a rather abrupt end when they graduate grade 12. You hope, as an educator, that you did enough to set them up for success in their chosen disciplines but also that you have done enough to provide them tools with which they can continue their journey without your presence every day. The reason why I began writing all this down was to provide my own two children with some kind of guide when I am no longer able to walk beside them and so I gave the grade 12 students the following advice. Most of which will provide the basis, almost the contents page of where I feel I will take these writings and musings from this point forward.
I have done this for a couple of years and the major themes remain the same. In a world that seems to be more hell bent on violence, segregation and disorder more than ever before, I felt the need to share some advice so here it is:
Dear Graduates of 2024
...you didn’t think I'd leave you without some kind of wisdom that I hope you can take with you? What follows is my own version of the 12 rules for life and I hope that it serves you well in whatever you choose to do with your time after school but more importantly I hope it helps you on your journey to who it is you are meant to become as people. So here it is, my life lessons distilled into a few sentences:
- Attitude – It starts here! It is your attitude, not your aptitude that will determine your altitude. You are important and you make a difference in the world so is that difference you make going to be positive or negative…you choose. You should aim to leave every room that you visit brighter than when you found it.
- Habits – Yes, this is where the ‘Slight Edge’ plugs in…you are what you repeatedly do, so ensure that your habits are positive. Remember that you are either moving forward, or moving backwards - never stagnant.
- Read books – In a world of podcasts and TikTok videos it is easy to never have to read a book again. Whatever problem you are experiencing in your life from this point forward, someone has already had it, written a book about it and come up with the solution – so read as many books as you can.
- Health – Arguably the most important thing to care for. Without your health you have nothing, so look after your mortal coil because you are going to need it.
- Consider others – When you are done looking at how beautiful you looked at the Formal, look beyond the mirror and see the literal millions of people less fortunate than yourself that need your help – and then help! The world does not revolve around you.
- Sleep – You will need 8 hours of sleep as often as you can to perform at your optimum levels.
- Budget – Money can’t buy you happiness, but life is easier with money than without so build a positive relationship with money.
- Teach – Be a teacher! I don’t mean pursue it as a career (although you could pick worse jobs 😎) I mean that you should pass on what you have learned.
- Travel – The world is big and wonderful, go explore!
- FEAR – Often the thing holding you back is fear – you are afraid of what people may think or simply just afraid to take the leap of faith. F.E.A.R stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. 15 seconds of insane courage will change your life – step out of what is comfortable.
- Love – The Beatles said that ‘Love is all you need’ and I wholeheartedly believe this. You were borne out of love and were loved and what the world needs is love so pay this forward and love without limits.
- Believe – Dreams do come true so set some goals…big scary goals and then get on the right side of the slight edge and like a magnet…you will attract into your life EVERYTHING that you ever wanted.
Warmest regards and best wishes for the future
Sochanik
