Advice for The Class of '22

My niece is being graduated from high school next month. She is a great kid (3 sports AND prom queen) and I'm sure she will do something positive with her life. Sadly, the connecting flights, 24 hours of travel time (each way) and a conflicting meeting are all conspiring to make it impossible to be in the US for her big day.

However, my brother (her dad) has asked me for any pearls of wisdom that I might like to pass along. He will read them aloud at the graduation party/BBQ after the ceremony.

Anyone who knows me will confirm that I'm seldom at a loss for words, but having never raised a daughter, my view may be a bit myopic. As such, I've decided to ask the sharpest group of connections on LinkedIN for advice to give a bright young woman about to make her way into the world. I've started with a few things that I think are important, but I'd love a few more from my you, my connections.

Please leave your comments below. (and feel free to comment on any of my advice).

Advice for graduates-

1)???Strive for excellence- Remember that being average means that you are just as far from the bottom as you are from the top…And gravity is working against you.

2)???To achieve great things, understand human nature- then learn to defy it with purpose.

3)???Men are not the enemy. Give your heart willingly, but carefully. A good man will define himself with actions over time.

4)???Spend time more carefully than you spend money…You can always make more money, but our time here is limited.

5)???Loyalty is the foundation of friendship and love. We may have good reasons to hide the truth from a loved one… but never, ever betray a friend.

6)???Trust your gut. About jobs, about friends and most importantly, about strangers. Don’t ever pay more attention to a stranger’s feelings than your gut instinct.

7)???Don’t tell anyone your password to anything. Ever.

8)???Don’t be Facebook friends with your boyfriend.

9)???Always know what you want to drink before you walk up to the bar.

10) The most important people sometimes live the farthest away… VISIT THEM! (before you are tied down with a job / family / rope.)

So that's it from Uncle Mikey... Any suggestions?