A Letter to Recent Graduates

Dearest Graduate,

I see you up there on the stage in your distinguished cap and gown with all of your prestigious medals and ribbons. I am so very proud of you and my hope is that you take a deep breath, and you enjoy the well-deserved fruits of your labor.  

Do you remember me? I was there at the beginning of your schooling. I was your first-grade teacher. I remember you so well. You were so eager to start school. I can see it now so fresh and clear in my memory-you had a brand new backpack, a haircut, and clean, shiny shoes. You could not wait to start school, you ran up to me and greeted me immediately with tremendous alacrity. You have had many teachers since you graduated from my classroom. I am so glad that your eagerness to learn and your love for knowledge has not diminished over time. I wanted to leave you with some parting words before you go off on your next adventure.  

The lessons I have taught you have not changed much since you were in my class. They are just on a grander scale now. Do you recall what I often told you and your classmates? If not, let me refresh your memory: 

Use Your Resources

Students do not often use what is given to them. They stomp their feet in frustration instead of using their words, do not take help when it is offered to them, and cry instead of stating their needs. Be aware of what resources you have and use them to their full capacity. Ask for help when you need it, call a friend up when you need to take a break from your studies or to be encouraged, and use the outdoors to let out some frustration or stress so that you can return to work fully charged. 

I Can Do Hard Things

Do you remember the sign that I had posted in the classroom?  It said, “I Can Do Hard Things!” I want to be honest with you. That sign was not only for you, but it was also for me. On those days when I had a little too much of that annoying co-worker, I was low on patience, and when I was feeling weary and discouraged, I would look up at that sign and draw strength from it. It would remind me to set a good example to all of my students. Almost every concept that students learn in first grade is new and for many students unfamiliar and sometimes hard. I want to remind you that you are capable, intelligent, and equipped to do the things that you need to do. Please stay encouraged and determined to carry out the tasks that you need to do.  I believe in you! 

Every pencil has an eraser on it

Everyone’s pencil has an eraser on it. Ruminate on that for a minute. You are going to make mistakes, these are unavoidable, and pencil manufacturers plan on it. When you make a mistake, I encourage you to not tell yourself that you are a failure. Accept your mistake, apologize to impacted people if necessary, and let it be a tool to teach you to try harder and to do better with the next attempt. Making mistakes is not something that you need to fear, let those be your teacher, and always look around you and try to learn from others’ mistakes as well.  

Life is your classroom

Remember all of those talks that we had in the hallway? Most of those centered around relations with peers. Some of those talks were difficult, but they were necessary to give you the life experience that you needed to catapult you socially as you grew. Make the most of every opportunity to help you learn and be the best version of yourself. If you are dealing with a person who is irritating you, be grateful and use that opportunity to let that teach you to gain more relational stamina and relational experience with others. If you find yourself stressed about something-get curious with yourself and try to unpack why you are stressed. This will teach you much about yourself. Try to embrace the tough lessons in life rather than trying to avoid them. That will help you to gain the knowledge and experience that will continue to help you in the future.

I wish you the best in your future opportunities and adventures. I know that you will continue to be a blessing to everyone that you interact with, and that you will light up each room that you walk into. It was my pleasure to be your teacher. You have also taught me so much! Please stay in touch.

The author

Fran Turuta

Fran Turuta is an elementary teacher that loves to work with students. She is a wife and a mother and enjoys a good book and baking. She currently resides on the south shore of Long Island.