Hats off to the class of 2026: unsolicited advice from a former young person

Editorial | May 19th, 2026

By Sabrina Hornung

As the school year comes to a close, a new crop of young people are starting a new chapter in their lives. As a former young person, I’d like to offer my unsolicited advice.

As cliche as it may sound, be the change you want to see in the world. Get involved civically. whether it be volunteering for an organization that aligns with your values or your passions or stepping up and getting involved with a board. Use your voice. Seek out strong mentors for guidance. And in a world of endless screens and indifference, learn to be an active listener and speak up when you see injustice. If that all feels overwhelming, choose random acts of kindness as an act of resistance to a cruel, sometimes unforgiving, world.

Keep in mind, those random acts of kindness apply to yourself too. It’s easy to be hard on yourself, so be gentle, yet exercise self discipline. If you feel like you have to have everything figured out and mapped out by the end of this summer, that’s a lie. Even those who maintain the illusion of having it all together are actively figuring everything out too. Life’s a work in progress and each experience is another step of the journey and a page in the memoir.

It’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are something to learn from — remember, we’re always learning. There will be lots of mistakes and lots of victories. Sometimes mistakes can lead to victories, and sometimes victories can lead to mistakes — and this is why it’s good to have a sense of humor. Humor is a great coping mechanism. But in the meantime, try to make good decisions. Not all mistakes are reversible.

In a world dominated by algorithms, curated content and the double edged sword of social media, be authentic. It’s easy to get sucked in and to compare yourself to others. Do you feel the pull? Unplug, log out, go analog and get outside. Actually walk to the library and read a book — there’s some really great free programming and media there as well.

It’s not all buns and roses posters and roller coasters out there. (Sorry that’s a 90s reference. Maybe it was a Jamestown early 90s thing — it was a play on “Guns n’ Roses” but instead of featuring Axl, it highlighted a bouquet of roses and a stonewashed jean-clad hind end — hence the “buns.”) If you’re feeling off, funnel that depression, aggression and anxiety into creative pursuits. Channel unspent energy into your passions. What does that look like? Art it out, dance it out, check out new music, cook, write and tinker. If you’re sporty, I don’t know…Maybe do some push ups or something.

Creativity can be expressed in so many ways. It’s productive and it sticks with you. There’s nothing wrong with sharing your passions. That makes for a good conversation starter and could be the gateway to future collaborations.

If you’re new to a certain area, don’t be afraid to go out and meet people. Take up social dance, check out the local music and art scene, see what clubs are available on campus. You’ll be sure to find like minded people and even folks who think differently and that’s great too. It all adds perspective and perspective is one of the most valuable things a person can gain. Plus, it’s an empathy builder and the world needs more of that. And always remember to check your sources.

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