Graduation can be a bittersweet experience for many high school students. There can be excitement and trepidation about what comes after high school, a sadness over leaving high school and friends, and a sense of accomplishment as well. It’s an incredibly difficult transition for many students socially, emotionally, and even physically if college requires moving away from home.

In order to better prepare students for these changes, we checked in with some of our former Making Caring Common Youth Advisory Board members to ask what they wished they knew when graduating, what they worried about but didn’t need to, and what advice they would offer to this year’s graduating class. These students have recently been through these same transitions, and hearing how they coped, what they wish they knew, and where they are now can be inspiring for your students and kids.

Christie Peng

Chloe Mshana

Matt Tengtrakool

Denia Brielle Smith

Karen Dong

Stephanie Villanueva-Villar

“What is the one thing you wish you knew before high school graduation that you didn’t?”

Don’t base your worth off of grades, achievements, or arbitrary social standing. It’s more important to learn to befriend people from all walks of life, including those who are similar to you but also nothing like you. Karen Dong
Senior year isn't just college admissions, it's also your last year of high school! Don't wait until the end of the year to enjoy your last year of high school. Chloe Mshana
Looking back, the one thing I wish I knew before high school graduation that nobody told me was how to manage my finances responsibly. I didn't realize how important it was to save money and create a budget until I started college and had to pay for things like textbooks and food on my own. Stephanie Villanueva-Villar
Upon completing the college application process and committing to a university/college, there's immense social pressure over who's going to "competitive," "semi-competitive," and "non-competitive" institutions. However, I found that after graduating and enrolling in college, the hype dwindled quickly after graduation. A lot of friends in my circle and I recognized that—irrespective of the notability of their school—everyone is going through the college experience, juggling social life with academics and personal endeavors. Ultimately, everyone has their own journey, and it's more important to stay focused on your individual goals and maximize your undergraduate experience rather than comparing the selectivity of your university/college to those of your peers. Denia Brielle Smith
I wish I knew how much those things I used to worry about, like joining that exclusive honor society or taking that additional AP class, don't matter anymore after high school ends. Christie Peng
Enjoy the moments and the journey. Never take the people and opportunities around you for granted! Matt Tengtrakool

Fill in the blank… “I would have been better prepared for college if I had…”

Been more comfortable with being alone and doing things alone. Everyone has their own goals in college and it’s ok that your friends’ goals and interests don’t align with yours. Don’t be afraid to do what YOU want to do instead of following what your friends are doing. Karen Dong
A better understanding of scholarship displacement. Be sure to read the fine print in the scholarship application/award letters! Chloe Mshana
If I could go back and better prepare for college, I would have applied to more scholarships in high school. I didn't realize how competitive the scholarship process would be once I got to college, and I missed out on opportunities to secure funding for my education and other expenses. Stephanie Villanueva-Villar
Rested the summer before college. I completed two internships and a fellowship program before coming to D.C., and although I loved it, I experienced burnout relatively quickly as the summer came to a close. The summer before college is supposed to be a time to rest and decompress, and I wish I would've taken this opportunity. Looking back, I would've been mindful of incorporating time for my mental health and avoiding succumbing to hustle culture. Denia Brielle Smith
I would have been more prepared for college if I had learned about getting full-ride and institutional scholarships. The scholarship application journey is difficult and takes a lot of patience to succeed. Christie Peng
Sought mentorships and guidance earlier. I learned quickly that best way to grow is through lived-experiences. Feel free to reach out! Matt Tengtrakool

The best advice I received when graduating was…

Keep an open mind about your future! Your interests might change significantly going from high school to college, since you get more freedom with what you want to do with your time. Study subjects and participate in extracurriculars that also make you feel fulfilled, rather than those that only make your parents feel fulfilled. Karen Dong
The best advice I received when graduating was to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. Joining clubs and organizations helped me meet new people and discover new interests, especially in my first year of college when I was still finding my footing. Stephanie Villanueva-Villa
Every end is simply a new beginning. Chloe Mshana
Embrace the moment. As cliche as it may sound, college only comes once, and the first semester will fly by incredibly quickly. Take this came to stretch beyond your comfort zone, meet new people, and develop newfound interests and passions. Denia Brielle Smith
The best advice is to enjoy every moment because four years flies by incredibly fast and before you know it, you're walking the stage. Christie Peng
To never let my curiosity die. The world is full of so many amazing people and ideas and everyday I'm excited to learn something new. Matt Tengtrakool

The one piece of advice I have for this year’s high school graduates is…

Relax and hang out with high school friends as much as possible in the summer before college to be fully rested and ready to target new academic goals because burnout is so real. Oh, and learn about personal finance and how to drive, if you don't already know! Karen Dong
Embrace exploration! You don't need to have everything figured out right now. Chloe Mshana
My advice for this year's high school graduates is to prioritize their mental health and seek help when they need it. College can be a challenging time, especially for first-generation students, and it's important to remember that it's okay to ask for support. Whether it's through student counseling, support groups, or talking to friends and family, there are resources available to help you navigate this transition. Stephanie Villanueva-Villa
Everything happens for a reason. You may not be attending your dream school in the fall, but it's imperative to stay focused and embrace the journey. Make the most of your college experience, regardless of where you end up, and continue to pursue the goals you set for yourself. Denia Brielle Smith
Understand that it's okay to have senioritis. The energy you had for your first three years of high school will inevitably drain because of senior year courseload, college apps, and balancing a social life. Christie Peng
Life is a collection of stories, make yours worth retelling. Matt Tengtrakool

I was really worried about _, but I didn’t need to be because .

I was really worried about being in a new environment alone and not making any friends, but I didn't need to because everyone at college will be in a similar position and you will naturally meet amazing people as long as you keep an open mind. Karen Dong
I was really worried about my letters of recommendation, but I didn’t need to because they are based on the long-term relationship you've built with a teacher or mentor. These letters will reflect the incredible person that you are. Chloe Mshana
I was really worried about not knowing anyone at my college, but I didn't need to be because I quickly realized that I wasn't alone. So many people are in the same boat, and I ended up making friends through classes, clubs, and other activities. It just takes a little time and effort to find your community, but it's worth it in the end. Stephanie Villanueva-Villa
I was really worried about finding a heartfelt and authentic community, but I didn't need to because everyone shared a similar concern. We all sought to find our "home away from home," and I quickly realized that confiding in others about this made it easier to navigate friendships, especially during the early stages of the semester. Denia Brielle Smith
I was really worried about college applications, but I didn't need to be because I kept my expectations realistic and I had the unwavering support of my family. Christie Peng
I was really worried about fitting in, but I didn’t need to be because authenticity draws people together. Matt Tengtrakool

We owe a very special thank you to each of our former YAB members who took the time to answer our questions. We are inspired seeing where they are now, and think you and your graduates might be, too.

Here’s a little more about them:

Karen Dong is a rising sophomore at Duke University, and she’s most likely majoring in Economics and Statistics to study how we can use quantitative tools to make better decisions. She grew up in Yangzhou, China and Frisco, Texas, and loves matcha, charcuterie, Asian TV shows, singing, and traveling.

Chloe Mshana is graduating with her Associate's Degree in General Studies with a concentration in Health Sciences. In the fall of 2023, she’ll be a freshman at Drexel University with a full-ride scholarship.

Stephanie Villanueva-Villar is the Founder & Executive director of Your Girl for Good, a D.C. non-profit organization that equips young girls of color with successful female mentors in STEM. She currently serves on VCU’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion advisory board for the Massey Cancer Center.

Denia Brielle Smith (she/her) is a first-year student at American University, where she is majoring in Political Science while obtaining a minor in African American Studies and a certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies. During her first year, Denia completed an internship at the U.S. House of Representatives (NJ-12) and joined varied student organizations, including Student Government, the Black Student Union, and Students for Change. Denia served on Making Caring Common's Youth Advisory Board from 2021-2022.

Christie Peng is an incoming freshman at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a 2020-21 Making Caring Common Youth Advisory Board member. She is from Atlanta, GA.

Matt Tengtrakool is a sophomore at Harvard University studying Computer Science and Statistics. Matt served on the Youth Advisory Board in 2019, is currently the CEO at Oban, a Nigerian fintech startup, and is passionate about governance, ethics, and journalism.

By Jamie Farnsworth Finn, Digital Strategist