A Note and Advice to Our Graduates – Congratulations to all the CofC, Charleston Southern, and Citadel Graduates

By Mark A. Leon

“Believe in yourself, do good, and embrace the wonder of the journey”

This weekend, some of the brightest and most ambitious young talents from the Lowcountry will say goodbye to a life of discovery, evolution, and personal growth and take the next step in their journey.

Emotions will be flaring. For some, it is eager anticipation, while others are shadowed by fear. No matter what you feel, we are all so proud of you and what you have achieved.

Here are a few things to remember on this special day and the leap into the next phase of your life

1. Acknowledge and embrace those that helped you along the way. So many sacrifices were made to give you the opportunity at a better life. You must know those sacrifices were made out of love. When you see your parents, friends, and loved ones, give them an extra-long hug and remind them how important they are in your life journey.
2. Believe in yourself and the power to do anything – You are an astonishing person. To get to where you are today took inner and outer strength, dedication, and passion. Utilize that fuel as you rocket into the next chapter.
3. Be yourself. Be crazy, weird, sporadic, and silly. It is the individuals that truly create a legacy of greatness. Invent, write, explore, try!
4. Take advantage of all the tools you have. We live in the most incredible digital and technological age in world history. Create, document, share and celebrate life. Also, don’t get pulled in. A great dance on Tik Tok is awesome, but. seeing the world from 12,000 above sea level high on the tip of the peaks of Breckenridge, CO, or watching a sunset from Piazza Michaelangelo overlooking Florence, Italy is priceless.
5. Don’t be afraid to fail. In fact, fail a lot. That means you are trying new and unchartered things. In fact, one of Google’s greatest successes is how much they fail in new product development.
6. Make each day, month, or year, a time to redefine yourself and start again. Don’t settle! Learn a new skill, discover a new land, or try something you have always feared. Think outside the realm of your comfort level.
7. Life is best shared – Friends are everything. They give you support and love, they pick you up when you are down, they share in the laughter and tears and no matter what happens, they are always there. Never take advantage of that gift.
8. Don’t fear tomorrow – We change every day. We get older, move a little slower, reflect on our youth, and at times, yearn for a return. Don’t do that to yourself. You are entering a day and age of acceptance and inclusion. We are all valued. We all contribute and we all deserve happiness at any age.
9. Be expressive with your emotions – You may not see this now, but there are so many that hold back their emotions and often look back in regret. Emotions are so important in health and well-being. Without that emotional escape, we get bottled up, and when the time is right explode inside causing a mental imbalance. Take each day to laugh a little, cry a little, smile as often as you can, and let your emotions be heard.
10. Be confident and have fun – When you have that big interview, don’t overthink it. When you are about to ask the boy or girl you love to marry you, be confident that you found a life partner. When you have a near-death experience, look it in the eye and move on. When you think that barista is cute, let them know. Compliments are awesome. If you approach life with confidence, there is nothing you cannot accomplish.

That’s it. That is a tiny bit of sound advice I can offer. Life is a remarkable gift and one to be cherished every day.

To all the graduates from the College of Charleston, The Citadel, and Charleston Southern, congratulations. We are honored that you are leading us into a new generation of amazing.