Today we are sharing 11 pieces of homegrown advice for 2023 graduates!
To honor you and your accomplishment, we at Empowered Connections thought we’d put together a group of helpful advice from ur EC family that we wish someone had told us at your age. Graduating, whether from high school or college, is a HUGE achievement and we are so excited for all of our clients who will be graduating next month.
We hope these bolster you and remind you that your next great adventure is waiting. Happy Graduation!
11 pieces of homegrown advice for 2023 graduates
Mindy Hill, MS, LCPC:
You are so much stronger than you know. You have overcome every challenge placed before you, and you’re still standing. Now, it’s your turn to celebrate. To celebrate every accomplishment, every battle fought, and every ounce of hard work that you’ve put into your journey. Enjoy your summer vacation and time with your friends before life gets busy again with college, work or trades – you’ve earned it! And when it’s time for your next chapter to start, take it one day at a time. You don’t need to have all of the answers in that moment. Simply live each day with curiosity, passion and kindness, and you’ll find your way.
Cynthia Ntagbu, MSW, LMSW:
Always allow yourself to discover yourself. Discovering yourself brings you steps closer to your why.
Amanda Shores, M.Ed., LCPC, LCADC:
My advice is to do the best you can and try to be okay with that. It’s okay to not have a perfect plan, as it will all come together in time as it is supposed to. Trust yourself with where you are at now in your journey and look forward to what is next.”
Rebecca Sanda, MA, LGPC:
Growth comes from being open to new experiences. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone as you enter this new season in your life!
Francesca Orfila, LCSW-C, LICSW:
Positive changes can be hard too. It’s okay to feel loss when a life chapter closes, even if the next chapter is highly anticipated and exciting! Allow yourself time to reflect and process what you had, what you have and the endless possibility of what you will have.
Tayra Garcia, MSW-Intern:
Trust yourself and live your own choices. Our environment and the people around us influence so much more than we recognize. As we transition into adulthood, it is not about age but about readiness. Trust YOUR voice inside your head, give your voice space to settle into adulthood and blossom into what you want to be. Trusting yourself means accepting that growth is messy and hard while sitting in the vulnerability of taking charge of your choices and living in authenticity.
Rochelle Brown, EC Practice Manager:
When you find yourself in the thick of life … Breathe.
When you feel like it’s gonna take more than you got left in you … Breathe.
When you realize you have burned the candle at both ends, yet here you are still standing, kneeling, and, even if you are in a ball on the floor, take another breath. Remember: you are still here and you got one more left in you… now Breathe!
Jax Breidenbach, Social Media Manager:
Follow your dreams! Do what you’re passionate about and invest in yourself. Make sure you’re really enjoying your life and working to live, not living to work.
Norissa Gupta, Administrative Goddess:
Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Sometimes comparing yourself to others can motivate you to work harder, but there’s a fine line. It can easily cause you to become jealous, stressed out, sad and more.
Deborah Duley, LCSW-C, Owner of Empowered Connections:
Keep your eyes on the prize! Expect bumps and detours, but always remember what you’re working towards and keep moving step by step. You’ll be so proud of yourself when you arrive there!
And to parents of these graduates…
Jennifer Guy, MSW, LCSW-C, CCTP, CFRC:
I would say that as a parent of 3 high school graduates, it’s a tough transition for parents sometimes. Always remember that no matter how old your kids are, they do need you, even if they may not realize it. Our role as parents shifts and change when our kids graduate from high school. It’s exciting to watch them grow into adults with endless possibilities. Be patient with them and patient with yourself as these new and uncharted waters arise.
We hope that hearing this advice will resonate with you as you achieve your dreams and goals. It won’t be easy but nothing ever great, really is!
If you need extra support, we’ve got you! You can self-schedule here or call us at 301-690-0779.
