There's so many kinds of advice that you might want to give somebody
who is graduating from Boston University.
It's hard to know where to start.
So this is my advice.
When they ask me to do this video
I was panicked because I don't actually feel like I know anything.
But I managed to write 12 things down. I thought that were pretty good.
Okay so you ready to hear some of my advice?
Should I start?
What I think I would suggest to you...
These words I've shared with people throughout the years
and here are the words, here are the words.
Be Your Authentic Self.
We've got this wonderfully diverse population here
and the conversations that you've had with each other
where you've told your stories to each other
have helped you gain a richer understanding
of cultures and customs and lifestyles
and beliefs and practices from around the world.
That's important knowledge.
I would encourage you to maintain your curiosity.
That curiosity is one of those things that really allows you to grow
as an individual to learn more about the world around you.
Be an informed consumer of the world.
Watch the news. Read the newspaper.
I was actually going to say something like that.
Watch Morgan Freeman films.
Learn to laugh...
Laugh at yourself, laugh out loud.
Stay confident and bold and remember to always be kind to the people around you.
Don't tell BU graduates to be saints or to be heroes.
If that destiny comes their way it would be wonderful it they could rise to it.
Another thing is um...
I just want to say, you don't here the very much, it's great getting old.
Getting older is one of the greatest gifts we have in the world
only if you work everyday to make the most of it.
Explore. Get out. See the world. Travel.
Don't forget to check in with people that love you.
Call home. Call mom.
Don't just text. Make sure you call your mom.
You know a lot of people say, "Follow your dreams."
And I think that's right.
Follow your dreams, unless they involve some kind of criminal activity.
Okay, so advice for your career.
Look people in the eye.
Call people by their name.
Shake hands with a firm handshake.
Web to web in this culture.
Try to avoid up-speak.
My name is Linda Wells.
It sounds like you're not entirely sure of what your name is.
But I was going to add something else.
I'm thinking about for this one, people who are multi-talented.
You are equally blessed say in the arts and sciences.
Here's my advice: Pick one.
You have to throw your at one thing, and do it.
Do it so well that people are ogling at your.
They can't wait to be around you.
They want to know what makes you tick.
Cause this is the magical trick.
If you can work your way to the tippy top of any discipline,
you are an enfranchised person,
you know cool people,
you know people of excellence,
they know people of excellence.
You can work your way over from one field to the other.
So pick.
That's my advice.
One piece of advice I give to you
try to think about the big, broader picture.
It's not always just about me or you, but it's about our neighborhood.
It's about our bigger communities.
Ultimately, it might be about the world.
There are not many people in this world
who can be the places you can go
to say the things that you can say.
Or do the things that you can do.
And it's my hope for you that you use the knowledge
that you've gained here at BU.
Use your insider status, positions of power and influence
in order to begin to change the rules
so that they become more just and more equitable.
Those are my words for you.
I'm so happy to be here with you.
No matter where you go and no matter what you do,
we'll be here.
Don't forget to come back and visit us.
Or you know you can send me a tweet,
but let me know how you're doing.
I'm happy to end with congratulations
provided that you don't go in for that not good thing,
self-congratulations.
Big congratulations and shout out to the class of two thousand and thirteen.
Congratulations.
It's been a great ride these past four years
and we look forward to seeing all of the amazing things
you're going to do in your lives ahead.
Go Terriers!
And peace!
Or as your generation says, "deuces."