Oh seniors, if we had only known then …

If we could turn back time to graduation night, here’s what we would say

On Friday night, Yuma County high school seniors walked the line into adulthood.

When I think back to that moment in my own life, I thought I was so ready. I knew what I was doing with my summer (working at an amusement park), where I was going to college (Ohio University), and what my major was going to be (journalism, with an emphasis in news writing and editing).

But there were so many moments I was simply not prepared for, and so many things I wish I had known or that people had told me.

Earlier this week, I asked friends on social media, “If you could turn back time and give yourself advice on the day of your high school graduation, what would it be?”

Personally, I would tell myself to say yes to adventures, both big and small, and to always say yes to live music, even if I’ve never heard of the artist. I learned these two lessons fairly early on, and they have served me well.

My friends shared some terrific ideas, too.

• It’s OK if you don’t have a plan, or if the plan changes, because some of the best things happen when they weren’t part of the master plan.

• Adventure can be found where it is least expected, so make the most of each situation.

• Travel! Spend money on experiences (new places, new foods, etc.), and not on stuff. New shoes last a year — awesome memories last a lifetime.

• Watch out for debt — it’s sneaky, and easy to accumulate, especially in college.

• Apply for all the scholarships. All of them — and the grants, too. • Opportunity is everywhere. • Live in the dorms — it’s a built-in gateway to interesting people and new friends.

• Don’t forget to take care of yourself. When you get stressed, exercise. (Or as one friend noted, “Exercise is not your enemy.”) When you get tired, take a nap. When you need a mental time out, take it.

• Don’t spend time worrying about what you can’t control — or what won’t matter in a few months or a few years.

• Above all, be yourself. That’s a hard lesson to learn, but ultimately, at the end of the day, make the decisions that comfort your conscience.

• And don’t forget to call your parents once in a while!

What advice would you give our 2018 high school graduates, readers? Let us know. Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.