One Thing I Can Teach You

So, I've been under pressure from seniors to start a blog. They said they will read it and as a teacher, I can't pass up any excuse to get students to read.

Since this is the last week for seniors, I'm going to focus on the last few things I want them to know before they graduate. However, these are good lessons for everyone.

In class, I often use the phrase "If there's one thing I can teach you before you graduate...". Some have pointed out that the "one thing" changes daily, but that's fine. They can all be the one.

So here's a top 10 list of advice for graduating seniors.

1. No one can force you to do anything.
Life is all about choices. Just because you don't like the alternatives doesn't rob you of your ability to choose.

2. High school is not the best time of your life.
You've just begun to live. If these were the best years, that would be a sad life. College (while fun) is also not the best time of your life.

3. You don't have to Google something just because you are curious.
The internet has some truly shocking things on it. Curiosity is good, but learn when to restrain your curiosity.

4. Live deliberately.
So often we eat when we are hungry, drink when we are thirsty, sleep when we are sleepy. Nothing too wrong with this, but animals do that too. Think about why you are doing things.

5. No one thinks that they are the bad guy.
Except maybe crazy people. Even people that you don't like, even people who think that everything you do is wrong, think that they are acting to make the world better.

6. Embrace silence.
In today's world, we don't let ourselves just enjoy doing nothing. Turn off your phone, go outside, and just relax.

7. Science is a verb.
It's not just what you know. It's how you find out and what you do with the knowledge.

8. Your time at Savio means something.
You may not believe or understand that yet, but trust me.

9. Question everything you think you know.
The world is infinitely more complex than you think.

10. You are a unique person who is loved for being you.
Even if it doesn't feel like it.

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Goertz Thoughts

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