Congratulations to the new graduates of high school, you have now ended one chapter of your life to start another one. I know it sounds corny to say that "I'm starting a new chapter of my life" but it is true. Just a year ago I was in your position. I was finishing my high school chapter only to start another chapter. For me it was college; for some of my class it was joining the work force. Regardless of what it was, we all started new chapters in our life. With starting new chapters we learn more things, gather more wisdom. Here are my tips for the recent high school grads whether you are going off to college, university or if you are going down a different road, these can all apply to you.

1. The person who you were in high school is the person you are not destined to be your whole life.

As we get older our personalities also grow with us. We are not stuck as one person our whole life. For me, I was major bookworm in high school I would always have a book in my hands. In college not so much, yes I will still have a book with me everywhere I go, but I am not reading it all the time.

2. The friends you had in high school will probably fade away. Don't worry you will make new ones.

This is a big one for me, in high school I had friends. I thought that they were going to be my friends for life but boy was I wrong. The friends I had in high school were great to be with for my high school career. Once I reached college it was a whole new playing field. I believe that the friends I have made in college will be my lifelong friends. So yes you're going to lose friends but you're also going to pick up some great ones.

3. Ask questions!

I am awful at this but have been trying to get better. Asking question is a hard thing to do especially when you think you know all the answers. Trust me you don't even, though you might think you do. The phrase there is no such thing as a stupid question is true. Most likely if you had a question, another person has the same question but they just don't want to say it. So please ask questions!

4. Stay true to yourself and listen to others.

You're probably saying "well duh", but really say true to what you believe and yourself. If you don't want to do something then don't do it. Believe in what you have to say and your thoughts but be open to others peoples thoughts as well. Just because someone does not agree with what you say or you don't agree with what they are saying doesn't mean they are wrong or that you are wrong. Both of you can be right.

My last bit advice for the recent high school grad or really any grad is to:

5. Have fun with life!

Really this is important! Life is short, so have fun while you can. Spend your days laughing with your friends and going out to make memories. Keep in mind that life is always changing and we can't really stop it. So take the good, the bad and the ugly and just roll with it. Just see what happens. Life throws things at us that we can handle, some tasks are harder than others and some are easy. Take the lemons from life and make some damn lemonade with them. Trust me life becomes easier when you take it with the fun it has to give.