June has arrived and with it, graduation season! Although I have not (yet) received any invitations to speak at any commencement ceremony (maybe they got lost in the mail?) I would like to share with you, my thoughts on graduation – whether it be from preschool, grammar school, high school or college.
Updated Graduation Speech (2025 Edition)
You did it! You turned in your last paper, took your final final, logged out of your last class group chat (probably for the last time), and maybe even recycled that one mystery Tupperware from your locker or dorm fridge. You’ve donned your cap and gown, moved your tassel from one side to the other (as a cat, this is still my favorite part!), and held that diploma in your hand.
You are finished! Done! And yet… many of you may not feel that victorious surge people describe at the end of a big race. Unlike a 10K or a marathon where you break through the tape and collapse in glory, graduation isn’t a finish line, it’s a starting line.
In fact, the word “commencement” literally means a beginning. And that’s what today is: the launchpad for whatever comes next. For some of you, that means more school. For others, it’s job interviews, internships, gap years, side hustles, or maybe—yes—even cramming yourself into a very small car (shout-out to any clown college grads).
Whatever your path, one truth remains: life is a series of steps, not a single destination. You’ll graduate, get a job, change jobs, fall in love, adopt a cat (please do!), maybe start a podcast, and eventually—hopefully—find joy in the small, surprising places.
A diploma doesn’t mean “I’ve made it.” It means I’m ready for what’s next. And to help you navigate that next, here are three questions I hope you ask yourself—not just today, but every day:
1. Have I made the world a little better today?
You don’t have to cure a disease or fix the climate crisis overnight (though if you do, call me). Sometimes making the world better looks like listening when someone needs to vent, speaking up when something’s wrong, or just showing kindness. Did you help someone feel seen? Did you send a meme that made someone laugh? Did you support a cause or check in with a friend? That counts. (Did you sit on someone’s keyboard to offer affection? Cats only, please.)
2. Did I show up and give it my best?
We all have off days. But did you try? Did you push through something uncomfortable, say sorry when it was hard, or take the high road when you really didn’t want to? Did you close TikTok long enough to finish what you started? Did you share your treat—even the tuna one—with someone who needed it more? That’s what effort looks like.
3. Did I remember to say “please” and “thank you”?
In a world that sometimes rewards the loudest voices, don’t forget the quiet power of gratitude. Your graduation didn’t happen in a vacuum. Someone drove you to school, stayed up late helping with projects, or simply reminded you to breathe. Say thank you. Say it to your teachers, your friends, your family, and even the barista who kept you caffeinated. Manners matter—now more than ever.
Congratulations, graduates! The world needs your voice, your energy, your weirdness, your courage—and yes, your compassion. Whether you’re headed to a job, a lab, a stage, a studio, or your parent’s keyboard (again, cats only please)—go forward with purpose.
I’m proud of you. Now go change the world!
