Dear Seniors

A few days ago, Mr. Whit sent this email to the 2018-19 Senior Class as some last minute, unsolicited advice as they move on to college.

Graduation night. Photo by Michael Ngo

I wanted to thank you one more time for an amazing school year.

After our chat with alumni, it made me think of some last-minute advice for college that I wanted to share with you.

SO..... I made you a list: Top 10 things to remember when you are off at whatever school is lucky enough to have you next year.

10. Go to class. Seriously. It will be incredibly easy to justify sleeping in, going out, or just skipping class. Don't do it because you will regret it later. Attend! Learn! Engage! You'll be surprised what you will learn and who you will meet, all which will enhance your life.

9. Say no. If someone or something makes you uncomfortable or you are asked to do something you don't want to do: just say no. There are so many opportunities in college and people who will respect you and your values. Don't worry about missing anything that seems sketchy or you feel contradicts who you are and what makes you happy.

8. Say yes! I know it's a quick contradiction, but don't be afraid to say yes to something new. Rock climbing? Farming? A play? Why not? You might find out you really love that new thing.

7. Study I know you are tired of it, but take it from an old man that "Student" will be one of the best jobs you’ll ever have. Treat it like your job and work at it. You might find you want to go to graduate school or your new employer wants a transcript. What you do as an undergrad has a tendency to follow you around. Stay diligent.

6. Call home. Your parents are going to be thinking about you 24-7, so give them a shout sometime. Your needy high school counselor could use an email from time to time too.

5. Jump at opportunities. Study abroad, spend Thanksgiving with a friend's family, apply for an internship, help a professor with research. Sometimes the things that happen outside the classroom or off campus are huge for your growth and resume.

4. Visit your professor during their office hours. Students rarely take advantage of their professor's open door. Go ask for help, have a chat, introduce yourself, discuss that day's lecture. Making that connection can be huge! They will look to you when they have an opportunity or need help. Being a teacher's pet in college is pretty awesome.

3. Join a club, find a hobby, and/or get a part-time job. You will make some life-long friends in unexpected places and maybe even have a little pocket money to spend. There is a group for everyone on campus and a job that will introduce you to some people you would not have otherwise met.

2. Be open-minded. You will be around some unusual people and they may seem incredibly strange or unfriendly. Just remember that they aren't very different from you. Be open to having a conversation with someone who seems nothing like you. They may just rock your world.

1. Have fun. Study first then have fun after, but have fun. Nothing, seriously, nothing in your life, is like college. Soak it up and don't take a moment of it for granted.

Which leads to 1a.

1a. Be present! Don't spend your 4 years staring at your phone seeing what your Saipan friends are up to. Be.Where.You.Are!

Good luck lovely humans. Stay safe, study hard, and have fun!

Mr. Whit