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Advice from someone who has been there recently
Published Thursday, May 28, 2009
Young enough to be able to relate to the issues that will face high school graduates but far enough removed from my own graduation to be able to look at those issues objectively, I think I am uniquely credible as a source advice to the county students that walked across a stage Thursday night.
First, make decisions based on what’s in the best interest of your future and not based on how you feel in the moment. Boyfriends and girlfriends, especially, will influence choices about your future. They shouldn’t. Chances are, there will be more boyfriends or girlfriends, but you’ll always have to live with the decisions you make.
Second, take financial responsibility now. The financial burdens of college were difficult to handle for me, someone that had never kept a checkbook in high school.
No matter how much you want to put off the responsibility, though, you’ll have to own up someday (I do it once a month when I cut out a check for financial aid payments). If you’re not going to college or your college is paid for, take advantage of the opportunity to save money instead of blowing it.
Lastly, have fun but don’t be foolish. For many, freedom from parental influence means doing everything you couldn’t do while living at home. Enjoy being on your own, but don’t do something you’ll regret. A good time for one night can turn into months or years of unhappiness.
- Stephen Dawkins is The Clanton Advertiser’s sports editor. He can be reached at stephen.dawkins@clantonadvertiser.com
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Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on May 29, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Advice from someone who has been "their" recently? C'mon people, we can do better. The correct word is "there". Sorry, I just could not let this one go.
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on May 29, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ah yes - and not just picking on Stephen but I work with a lot of people, all of whom are high school grads, most are even college grads yet simple grammar eludes them.
there, their, they're
to, too, two
it's, its
Here's a tough one:
affect and effect
Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on May 29, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I was not picking on Stephen either. It's just that the mistake was so obvious. Let me try the quiz. Affect is when you have an influence on someone or something or either refers to feeling or emotion and effect is the end product, outcome or result of an action. Now I feel like I've been to English 101 today.
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