A Message To High School Graduates

Shaun Groves with a message for recent high school graduates. I think there is some wisdom here:

Dear Recent High School Graduate,

Don’t go to college. Not yet. Instead, travel, dance, serve, sit, write, think, work. Because it beats being “undecided.” And spending a lot of money while you’re at it.

Yes, your mom won’t like this. Fine. Tell her to e-mail me. And I’ll remind her that the stuff she remembers most from her early twenties are the things she learned about herself not the things written in textbooks or spoken by professors. Which doesn’t mean stuff in books and lectures are worthless. But they can wait. A year. Just a year.

So don’t go to college. Not yet. Take a break, take a trip, take a risk and learn about yourself, the world, and life. Get educated before deciding how you’ll be educated. Take your time.

Then, with your newfound perspective, if you think it’s right for you, rejoin the herd and read those textbooks and take notes on those lectures. Or not. Stay gone. Extend your break for a decade or two or five. It’s up to you, not mom. You should tell her I said that too. She should listen to me. I have a degree.

Your bloggy friend,
Shaun