My Advice To The Class Of 2018
I had a bit of advice for one my favorite grads ever, and I thought I'd pass it on. It's quick, it's painless and it will help you immeasurably.
My advice is simple, don't lose momentum. It is very easy to drift after high school, to take some time off, because "you deserve it". Okay, a week or two is good, but sometimes that time off turns to months, then years and before you know it you're an adult with no direction or skills.
Just keep your momentum and you can do whatever you want to do. You really can. Especially since so many others are drifting. It doesn't matter if that momentum takes you to college, welding school or even on backpacking adventures, just keep moving forward. Sit down, decide what you want, when you want it by and then go get it. Keep moving forward and wake up and go to sleep thinking about what you want to achieve.
Your momentum is also important because for once in your life you're deciding where you're headed. There are no teachers or parents and very few friends that will propel you towards your dreams. All of these people helped you build up your initial momentum when you weren't smart enough to know you needed it. Now you have to motivate yourself and that is freeing, exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.
You don't have to have a plan today, heck you've only been out of school a week, but at least set a date for when you'll have a plan, then when you have that plan set a date to put it in motion and so on. Keep your momentum.
My best wishes to you. I hope you will achieve everything you are capable of.