Many times, it feels as if graduation ceremonies are filled with teachers and school administrators—the adults—imparting words of wisdom on the young graduates. 

While their advice and guidance are no doubt significant, may we take this time to remember what it feels like to graduate high school. Let’s step into their shoes. 

Graduating from high school and moving on to college, or a career, or something else can be a scary and anxiety-filled time. But high school seniors are in equal parts thinking about what they’re leaving behind—their friends. 

Many of them have probably been in school together since kindergarten. In a small place like Sullivan County, it may seem easy to make friends since everyone knows each other.

As they enter college or the “real world” here’s some advice from an adult (us): don’t be afraid to make new friends. Meeting new people is hard but push yourself to do it; find people from different places with different perspectives and you’ll find your own mind expanding. 

Another thing on the young graduate’s minds: what do they want to do for a job? 

Some are entering college with their major already concrete, others don’t know what to study, or are not going to college. Think of how that must feel; as we now all know the path to a career can be straightforward or it can be winding with many different paths. 

Our advice: don’t be afraid to fail. If you don’t like the major you were so dead set on, it’s ok to switch. If you take classes in a field you thought you were interested in exploring but now don’t enjoy it, try taking a variety of classes across fields. 

College life can be filled with rejection letters, from internships to job openings. Just keep trying; some of the most successful people in the world received those rejection letters but didn’t let it stop them.

Recently, acclaimed film director Noah Baumbach delivered the commencement address to the graduating class of Vassar College, his alma mater. He shared a story about sending a play he had written in college to a theater producer in New York City, and received a harsh rejection letter. 

While the rejection stung, he went on to write and direct countless movies and receive four Oscar nominations. 

This weekend as the graduates turn their tassels from one side to the other, we know that they will hear from inspiring and encouraging speakers. But sitting to the left and right of them will be the people who have been with them through all these years. And as the graduation caps land there will be hugs and teary goodbyes.