In 2013, as I was departing as a teacher from my 10th grade students, I created a list of 50 things I had learned throughout my life. This presentation is inspired by the some of the best lessons from that list.

1. Failure is a New
Beginning
Things I wished someone had told me at 22
-Michael Vinickas, Age: 25

2. Inspiration
This presentation is based on a list of 50 helpful bits of learned wisdom I gave to
my 10th grade students on the last day of school in 2013.
That itself was inspired by a similar list made by a college economics teacher I
had read.
Point is, hopefully someday you’ll pass down what you’ve learned as well.

3. #1. The Real World Sucks
If you worked a full time job during college, ignore this.
No longer are your days conveniently scheduled around classes spread out
through the day. Most likely you’re in for a 9-5 grind, not even including
your commute (see #4), and some (like teachers) will end up continuing
work at home.
Instead of loans covering your dorm bill, you have to pay for the bills. And
the loans for the dorm bill. Time now becomes a precious commodity.
You’ll begin to wonder how your parents did it.
Brace yourself, the real world is coming.

4. #2. The Real World is Awesome
I know, it’s contrary to #1.
However, the reward for becoming a productive member of society is that you
can experience it. New opportunities will be opened up to you (frankly because
now you’re actually making decent money), and you’ll form new relationships
with coworkers and neighbors.
The weekends become something magical as Monday through Friday seems like
an endless routine. Make the most of your weekends. Explore. Groupon. Just
don’t waste your entire weekend in bed or on the couch.

5. #3. Work/Life Balance
You’ve got to balance your work and out of work lives. If you get too consumed
by one, the other will suffer.
Examples
-Set aside times for your loved ones at home and try to minimize the work you do
at home.
-Thirsty Thursday happy hour might sound tempting, but remember you still have
to be on point for Friday.

6. #4. Make the most of your commutes
Very few people will end up living where they work or within a block of it. Face
it. Everybody commutes.
Especially in a car, commutes can be excruciatingly maddening depending on
where you live. However, they can be the best thing ever if you make them.
Use your morning commute time to focus and prep yourself for the day, so you
are going into work with a positive attitude.
Use your commute home to distress with music and reflect on the highs and lows
of the day, so when you get home you’re not bringing your work life into your
home life.

7. #5. Don’t ignore insurance!
Inevitably, you’re gonna sit in some conference room with some HR rep going
over all your new provided and voluntary benefits.
You’ll think to yourself. I’m young. I don’t need to worry about this disability or
life insurance stuff. I’m healthy!
Don’t do this to yourself.
It’s cheaper while you’re young and can save you or your love ones thousands in
the future.

8. #6. Listen to the people around you.
There’s a new-found confidence you’ll receive one you have a college degree in
hand. After all, this is the proof of all the hard work you’ve put in and the
knowledge you’ve gained.
I’ll admit I had this. I wish I hadn’t my first year teaching.
Soak up as much as you can from your coworkers and superiors. Time and
experience has taught them many things you need to learn yourself. You may
have a better formal education than some of them, but they still have the
knowledge that comes with experience that you don’t have.

9. #7. Get a hobby if you don’t already
have one
I fence and I coach fencing. It is something I am good at and something that is
not work. It is my stress valve and something that cannot be tainted by my work
life.
If you don’t already have something you’re passionate about, find something.

10. #8. Keep. Track. Of. Your. Money.
Enough said.

11. #9. Don’t settle for a job you don’t like.
After my first year of teaching, it was a rough year. My contract was not renewed
despite all my effort and decent evaluations. I was upset with my administration
who I thought had failed to support me as a first year teacher and I became
disenchanted.
I then picked up a job as an insurance agent. I was making bank. I hated it
though. It wasn’t me. I knew I needed to be in a classroom yet it was too late in
the summer to get a full-time teaching job.
So, I became a substitute. Despite making a quarter of the money than in
insurance, I was happy. And now, I’m on the road back to my dream career.

12. #10. Failure is just a new beginning.
No one wants to fail. It isn’t our nature. People (unless a bet is involved) just
don’t wake up, look out the window and say, I want to fail today!
However, failure happens. It could be a failed relationship. You get fired or
demoted. You end up in a job you hate. Maybe a project you worked so hard on
didn’t pan out right. Et cetera.
Failure is an experience though. You can learn from experiences. What did you
do right? What did you do wrong? How can you reforge yourself to become
stronger?

13. The greatest crime you can commit is
failing and not learning anything from it.

14. Pay it forward.
When you turn 25, share what you’ve learned since graduating.