By John Fedele

The area high school classes of 2011 all had their graduations last week. I was not asked to give the commencement address at any of them. Too bad.

As I reviewed the message of encouragement and words of wisdom dispatched to the seniors by those learned speakers, I realized those speakers had no idea how to motivate our future leaders. If today’s seniors are normal, the majority of the audience were not paying attention. So, I will pass on to you what those speakers should have said:

Congratulations, you have finished the first leg of your life’s journey. For two-thirds of your life you have sat in a classroom. I have it on good authority you are planning to start college next fall. Why?? You deserve a break today, and tomorrow and the next day. Maybe at McDonalds, or somewhere for two years. It’s a big world out there. Two years in the Peace Corps, the military, or an internship in the field you desire to excel, will give you a foundation on which to build your future.

To live and work in the real world, you need real world experience. It seems logical to get that experience before going to college. Those two years should include real life money management; working for an idiot, or worse, a tyrant; and deciding if your dream job is really what you want. You’re probably thinking, “I’d be wasting two years of my life.” Maybe, but would you rather waste two years and thousands of dollars in college, only to discover you are on the wrong path?

Check the facts and figures on how many college students drop out after two years and how many change their major after two years.

The reality is, putting off college for two years makes you a more mature individual. When you walk into your first college class with all the other 18 year olds it will become much more clear.

Congratulations on your achievement. Now, take a break before you commence.