5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Graduated

Dear High School Graduate, 

Congratulations! You did it!

Remember the sounds of your high school hallways, remember the teacher that everyone loved, remember your quarterback and try to remember it all. Someday, you’ll be sitting on a mountain, a back porch or drinking your morning cup of coffee looking back on your life. This moment will surely be part of it. 

I’m not insanely wise. I haven’t written a book. But I did just go through what you’re going through. I’m a Junior in college, and I want to list out a few things people told me and I’m glad they did, and some things no one tells you but they should. 

5 Post High School Must-Knows

1. Either Be Responsible or Do Something Memorable: 

You’re going to get a lot of money. Be responsible and use that money in college OR do something awesome. Plan a trip and go make the “Kids, one time my friends and I … ” memories. If you decide to be responsible, live that out. Don’t save your money for college just to blow it on Chipotle in the first year away from home. 

2. Question Yourself Constantly:

Why do you do the things you do? Why don’t you do them differently? Do you love others? Are you a good friend? 

Don’t be one of those people who go with the flow so much that they lose independent thought. Don’t be an echo. They don’t know who they are or what they believe. Questioning yourself grows confidence in who you really are. 

3. Be Weary of the Partyer:
I grew up around beers and parties. Believe me, I know what it is like. I can’t stop you from going to parties; you’re an adult now. I can, however, remind you of this: If you drink and party, never allow it to be the most interesting thing about yourself. I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve passed up on because their form of conversation was how much they had to drink the night before. You’re smarter than that. Have a conversation about meaningful things. And live life outside the dorm-room parties—there’s a lot of world go see it. 

4. GET. INVOLVED.  It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I fully recommend that you get involved in your local campus ministry, but any club will do. There is something special about being surrounded by people who find interesting the same things you find interesting. If you join a ministry, I promise that you’ll grow like crazy. You’ll begin to seek answers for questions that you didn’t even know you had. You’ll learn how to become a friend to God and that’s pretty cool. 

5. Meet ALL the People: The first two weeks are designed to help you meet people. Do that as effectively as possible. Everyone is just out of high school and everyone is looking to meet friends. They want to talk to you. Don’t be shy. Do the activities student government sets up. And meet as many people as you can, before it is too late. 

I’m sure you’re not shocked to hear that high school is not the best time of your life, no matter what they say. I like college, but I’m not sure I’ll say that about this season of life either. You’re going to do great, friend! Don’t stress. Take it one day at a time and trust God with the wonderful plan He has for your life. {eoa}

Reprinted with permission from Missional Women. Jacque Kosmicki is the Missional Women Intern and a college student in Denver, Colorado, who balances her time between trying to go to class and learning about His saving grace and perfect love as much as she can. She is a 20-something, DIY-attempting, Jesus-loving, Denver-living, small-town-rooted, Colorado sports fan. She loves black coffee, long conversations and watching people do what God created them to do. You can find her Christian Twenty Somethings blog at Desperately Dependent.