It’s college commencement speaker season. And while I’ve seen videos and read transcripts of many with quotable tidbits or funny observations, I hadn’t come across one I wanted to share here until earlier this week when Collegewise parent and loyal blog reader, George, shared William McRaven’s commencement address to University of Texas-Austin (UT) grads.
McRaven is a US Navy admiral, the head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, and the man who organized the special ops mission that killed Osama bin Laden. He also is a proud UT alum.
He shares ten pieces of advice to help UT graduates change the world. Truth be told, when I was seventeen, I might have shrugged off his suggestions to make my bed every morning or to sing when I’m neck deep in mud. But if you’re a high school student who reads this blog, give Admiral McRaven 20 minutes of your time and listen to his advice. Think about what he’s saying. Write down his ten tips and put them someplace where you can refer to them often.
You might not see the relevance now. But I promise you that if you can consistently do the ten things he describes here, you won’t just get into college. You’ll have a more successful, fulfilling life. And you might just change the world.
Don’t miss his flash of UT pride at the end. Here’s the link.