It certainly doesn’t feel like it, but 34 years ago this month I graduated from high school and often times I think back to what if I knew then what I know now. It would have been nice to have had someone tell me what it would be like 30-plus years down the road and I may have even listened to what that person had to tell me. But then again, maybe not.

When I graduated from Harrison Central High School in Gulfport in May of 1983, I knew I wanted to go to college and really had no clue what to expect.

So I thought I might pass along some advice to this year’s graduates who are heading off to college, some of what I’ve learned in the last 30-plus years.

•Be humble. Don’t be that person who lacks humility. You can learn so much more by listening instead of talking about what you think you know.

•Remember your roots. A solid tree needs a sturdy foundation with deep roots. Don’t forget where you come from and that foundation that was laid at home.

•Call home more than once a week. And when you do, don’t always ask for money. Hopefully, the folks will take care of you.

•Make friends. Get involved in extracurricular activities and meet people. This is where you could very well make life-long friendships.

•Enjoy the experience. College can be very overwhelming and at times you will feel overwhelmed. Just take a deep breath, close your eyes and say a prayer to yourself before going forward. But remember the experience of getting to where you are going is often times more fun than the destination. You’ll have plenty of time to fret and worry once you get out of college.

•Don’t be so serious. Life can change in a flash and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. So enjoy the moment of the day.

•Don’t be lazy. Work hard and dedicate yourself to the job of going to class and doing the work. You won’t regret it and will often times ask yourself why you are doing this. Don’t dwell on that and just keep plugging away.

•Step out of your comfort zone. You’ll never know your limits unless you step out of your comfort zone and you’ll never know who you might meet, impact or make an impression upon until you do.

But most of all, remember to live your life. Later in life, you’ll regret more the things you didn’t do instead of the things you did do.

Rob Sigler is managing editor of The Oxford EAGLE. Contact him at rob.sigler@oxfordeagle.com.