So, I’m graduating.

It’s been a seven-year-long journey in figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I promised myself this wouldn’t be a sentimental remembrance piece, so let’s do this Baz Luhrmann “Class of ’99” style.  A 10-year anniversary homage piece, if you will.

Instead of directing this to the class of 2009, I would like to speak to all the underclassmen.

As Luhrmann would say, “Wear sunscreen.”

Stick with college. While it’s not for everyone, you’ve decided it’s for you. So finish. No one can take it away from you.

Remember the teachers who mentor you. Forget the ones who hassled you, but take the advice they’ve all given you. Even if they’re boring, their stories are still important and some you’ll never forget.

Don’t hold grudges because you got a bad grade. It was your own fault. Take the grade as a learning experience. You’ll know what not to do again.

Take your time. Everyone’s heard that life is a journey, and it’s not about the destination, but how you get there. It’s true. College may cost a lot of money, but if you don’t love what you do, then you’ll be unhappy. Be happy.

Don’t let your friends bother you too much. There’s a reason they’ve come into your life and a reason why some leave. Treasure each moment and forget the bad ones. If you figure out how to do that, please let me know.

Go to the bars. You don’t have to drink, but you should unwind. College life is stressful, and anyone who tells you different is a liar. Make it fun, not a chore, but don’t overindulge.

If you feel yourself drowning, ask for a hand. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.

Those who don’t are foolish, and those who do are the ones who are strongest. You’re only as strong as your friends and family make you.

Listen to your advisers. They may not have all the answers, but the answers they do have make sense. Don’t take them for granted because you won’t always have one around.

Be a kid. So many college students get caught up in learning how to be adults that they’ve forgotten to be young. Make mistakes, but learn from them. Don’t make the same ones twice, but at least make them once.

Be stupid. You don’t have to know everything, so don’t act like you do. Teachers can admit they don’t know, so follow their example. If you act like you know everything, you’ll never learn anything.

One day everyone will cross the same stage.  Applaud them.  And as I prepare to cross the stage, I applaud all of you.

You’ve made the decision to get a degree no one can take away from you—something that took me years to understand.

But trust us on the sunscreen.