Ah, college graduation. Congratulations, Emory seniors, for another milestone passed, for your success and for the memories made. As a freshman, you may be wondering what kind of life advice I could offer. After all, I have another three years until I can possibly understand your position. As an entertainment writer, however, I shall offer you advice from where I get most of my material: the movies!

1. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
­— “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

After all is said and done, whether you’ve applied for a job, an internship, or even if you have no idea where your life is headed, you have to celebrate! Take a day off, appreciate your friends and family, and everyone should absolutely crash a parade and sing “Twist and Shout” from a loudspeaker at least once in their life.

2. “There’s no place like home.”
— “The Wizard of Oz”

While clicking your ruby slippers may not do the trick, be sure to go home once and a while. Appreciate where you came from and remember those who helped you flourish.

3. “My momma always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’”
— “Forrest Gump”

Dreams change, plans fall through and new opportunities arise. Heed Forrest’s wise words and expect the unexpected, making the most of every opportunity. Especially if that opportunity includes shrimping in Louisiana with Lieutenant Dan or running across the country because you just feel like running.

4. “Don’t ever let someone tell you you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period. All right?”
— “The Pursuit of Happiness”

If you know what you want, go after your dreams with all of your might! Protect your dreams and defy all odds, because it’s a scary world out there, folks. Be comfortable with who you are and do what you feel, no matter what happens or what anyone says.

5. “I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now.”
— “The Incredibles”

No doubt the last four years were some of the best of your life, graduates. That being said, know that there are great days ahead! Don’t live in the past, live for your future.

— Contact Elizabeth Davies.