I never gave a valedictorian speech to my graduation class. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, I barely graduated. I was too busy skipping class to go golfing, or I came in too late after a night at the Disco Viva in Hull.

In my defence, the Disco Viva didn’t close until 6 a.m. on Sunday nights and we had Grade 13 back then which meant that as 18-year-old students we were able to write our own absentee notes.

I had also decided midway through my final year at Sir John A. MacDonald High School that I would be going to college that fall and not university, which meant I didn’t even need my Grade 13. That said, I did get my diploma, I just didn’t finish the year at the top of my class unless it was for days absent.

But I digress. As a matter of public service, I thought it would be nice to impart a few words of wisdom on this year’s graduating students.

First, congratulations for making it through the trials and tribulations of high school life. It’s never easy and never has been. You might not know it, but that is one of the few things that you share with your parents, because, believe it or not, they went through some of the same trials and tribulations when they were in high school a thousand years ago.

That said, you are about to embark on the next phase of your young lives which comes with a myriad of possibilities, almost none of which can be anticipated, which is why it’s so exciting.

Some of you have decided to go to college next year to learn a profession or trade, while others have decided to go to university and earn a degree.

A few of you may have decided to take a year off, a so-called gap year, to go traveling, or to take some time to figure out what you want to do with your lives. Whatever you’ve decided, take into account that there are no bad choices. Life is bound to throw in any number of twists and turns that might force you to alter your course, or at the very least lay down a speed bump or two.

Which is where my first words of wisdom might come in handy. Two of the most important traits one should possess when navigating these early years is the ability to adapt and to have a certain measure of resiliency. Neither of which is contained in any syllabus, or course outline, but will almost certainly come in handy at some point in your lives.

And except for a very fortunate few, 99.9 per cent of you will be faced with a situation, or situations, otherwise referred to as “trying times”, which is where I offer a few more words of wisdom, nothing is ever as bad as you think it is, and that’s because it could always be a lot worse.

And never forget one of my favourite sayings of all time which has become my life motto: “This too,shall pass.”

You can use that one for almost any situ-ation in life, both good or bad.

If I have any other advice to give you, it’s that there are no do-overs. You don’t get to go back in life and get a second shot at something. What you’re experiencing today will never happen again, so try to live in the moment and appreciate for what it’s worth.

Second, life is made up of a series of decisions, but not all of your decisions will have a positive outcome. The secret is to accept responsibility for your decisions either way. Don’t blame your bad decisions on outside forces. You made the decision. Live with it.

Third, and this is perhaps the most important, be nice. I know it sounds easy enough, but you would be surprised. Go out of your way to do nice things and treat others the way you would like to be treated. First of all, it doesn’t cost anything. And second of all, it will come back to you in spades. Which reminds me, on a related topic, avoid toxic relationships and situations at all costs. Life is too short to get side-tracked, or held back by negativity. Trust me on this one.

And finally, don’t let technology and social media consume you. Take time to enjoy the simpler things in life and you will feel abundantly more fulfilled.

So there you have it. A few words of wisdom form someone who has been there and done that. Good luck and have a blast.

(If you wish to comment on this or any other View Point column please write to Fred Sherwin at fsherwin@orleansstar.ca)