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Dear Graduate,

Congratulations :-).

High school is done…and now you are about to enter a really great time of your life.  Talk to the older folks like me and they will tell you…College was some of the best years of our lives.  It was a lot of fun and tons of great memories.

But I think most of us would look back and wish we had done some things differently too…so I want to share some of those things with you.  

  1. Read your Bible & pray – it sounds so cliche and what your parents have been telling you for years but there is real value in it.  You won’t have your parents around to regulate if you are going to church or having your quiet time, so it is up to you.  The God of the universe doesn’t just want to save you, He wants to give you a life that is “exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask or think.”  You’ve got plans for your future but so does He.  Lean on Him to guide you. This applies to your major, your choice of friends, and yes, your future spouse.  
  2. “What is the wise thing to do?”  – At this point in your life, again, your parents won’t be making your decisions for you.  You will.  And these decisions have the potential to impact the rest of your life.  I’m not saying that to freak you out…that could be a good thing if you make the right decision…and a not so good thing if you don’t.  The Bible tells us that “the heart is deceitful”…this means that sometimes, we deceive ourselves…what we think we want now may not be what we really want ultimately.  You will be faced with a bunch of decisions, every single day… “Do I go to the game room or study for my exam?”  – speaking from experience, STUDY. “Do I spend more time with this person?”  – the people you surround yourself with will shape your college years and the person you will become.  “Do I spend money on this?”  – Your parents have covered your expenses since you were born; try your best not to waste their money.  When faced with the moment of decision, say a quick prayer and ask God to lead you.  Understand that you may feel like you want something, but trust that still, small voice inside of you.  It won’t scream at you, it will just be a gentle nudge… If I had listened more to that nudge, I would have made many better choices.
  3. Your career – this is what you are going to do for the rest of your life.  It’s such a big decision to make at your age but that’s just how it goes.  Make sure you have done your research – know what various jobs involve. Think about the kind of person that you are, your strengths and weaknesses, skills and talents.  Do you like the intensity of dealing with life/death situations every day or would you rather have something a little more stable?  Do you like numbers/programs or people?  What brings you satisfaction and what stresses you out?  Those answers may help point you in the direction you need to go.
  4. Your parents aren’t so bad – you’ve heard them say it…”One day, you will understand what it is like to be a parent.”  I’m not a parent but I have nephews & a niece.  There is this incredible love I have for them and this desire for their lives to be wonderful.  Your parents really do want the best for you and they lay down the law because they are trying to help you stay on the right path.  It’s all out of love, really.  Thank them for it.
  5. Have fun – yes this is possible in spite of all I just said.  If you are doing all of the above, your fun will be fun and without regret.  

Maybe you made it to the end of this letter, maybe you didn’t :-).  I just hope you know that you have people around you that love you and want the best for you.  And you can always reach out to us when you need someone to talk to.

God bless you.

Lance & Anu

by anitha

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