Advice for the Graduate

Last Updated on May 25, 2021 by Ellen Christian

This year is a year of huge changes in my life and the lives of my children. As parents, we think we’re used to changes. We’ve gone through the first tooth, first word, first step and many other “firsts” in our children’s lives. If you thought that watching your child get on the school bus for the first time was hard, get ready for harder. This post has been sponsored.

Advice for the Graduate

This year, my seventeen year old son graduates from high school. My twenty two year old daughter graduates from college. Both will begin their adult lives and those lives will have a little bit less of me each year. As they prepare to graduate and move on, I want to share some advice for the graduate that I’ve learned throughout my life.

• Do what you love. I don’t care if your passion is gardening or fashion design. Follow your heart and pursue a job that will make you happy. Life is too short to spend the next 40 years doing something you don’t like because it pays well.
• Give it your all. You may not love your first job or your third. It may be a stepping stone to the job of your dreams. Whatever you do, give it 100% of your effort. Be known as the person who goes just a little bit further than expected each time. Hard work pays off.
• Be yourself. Whatever choices you make in your life or your job, be true to who you are. No one worth being with and nothing worth having is worth sacrificing who you really are.
• Live below your means. Learn to live on less than what you make. Jobs change. The economy changes. Spending every penny you earn each month can be a dangerous practice. Save what you don’t need. There are no financial guarantees.
• Learn to take care of yourself.  While many people may dream of having a maid, gardener and personal shopper, most people need to do these things for themselves. Learn the basics so you don’t need to hire someone else to do them for you. Learn to change a tire, cook from scratch and sew on a button.
• Not everything is fun. One of the best pieces of advice my father ever gave me was “If it was fun, they wouldn’t have to pay people to do it.” Not everything in life is fun but you still have to do it.

T. A. Barron is the author of the Merlin Saga, Atlantis Trilogy and so much more. His most recent book is titled “The Wisdom of Merlin: A Guide to a Meaningful Life.” This book features 8 key principles for leading a meaningful life and is appropriate for all ages. If you’re looking for a gift for the graduate in your life, this is the perfect choice.

Ellen Christian

Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.