You will not understand the importance of this book until you have scanned
it, enlarged it and stuck it to your bedroom ceiling. 

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002
2003
2004

2005
20 06

2007
20 08

20
09
20 10

2
0
11
2 012

If I could offer you only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits
of sunscreen have been proved by scientists. 
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis
more reliable than my own meandering
experience. 

NOW
I will dispense this advice:

ENJOY

*Never mind, you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve faded. 

But trust me, in 20 years you will look back at
photos of yourself and recall in a way that you
canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t grasp:

You
how much possibility lay before you

are not

and how fabulous you really looked

as fat as

y o u

i m a g i n e

ENJOY

Use it every way you can. 
Don’t be afraid of what other people think of it. 
It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own. 

Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. 

Live in New York
but leave before it makes you hard. 
Live in Northern California
but leave before it makes you soft. 

*

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young. 

MAYBE YOU WILL

MARRYH
D R E N D IV
O U R TY DA
FUNKYC H
NYO U R S E
FTHAN NI

’
MAYBE YOU WON T

AVECH IL
ORCEATF
ANCETHE
HI C K E NO
VE N TYFI
V E R SA RY

DO

N’T

be reckless with other people’s hearts. 
put up with people who are reckless with yours. 
waste your time on jealousy. 
worry about the future. 

FLOSS

or worry
but know that worrying is as effective as trying to
solve algebra equations by chewing bubblegum. 
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things
that never crossed your worried mind. The kind that
blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday. 

Do one thing everyday that scares you. 
Remember the compliments youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve received,
forget the insults. 

SING

Sometimes you’re ahead. 

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want
to do with your life.  The most interesting people I
know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do
with their lives.  Some of the most interesting 40
year olds I know still don’t. The race is long, and
in the end it is only with yourself. 
Your choices are:

chance
HALF

So are everybody else’s. 

Sometimes you’re behind. 

ance

Don’t
expect
anyone else to
support you.  Maybe
you’ll have a trust fund,
maybe you’ll have a wealthy
spouse, but you never know when
either one might

Accept certain inalienable truths:
prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old,
and when you do you will fantasise...

*

RESPECT
YOUR

ELDERS

C
That when you were young, prices
were reasonable, politicians were noble
and children respected their elders. 

Get to know your parents: you never know when
theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings,
theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re your best link to your past and the people
most likely to stick with you in the future. 
Undestand that friends

COMEGO
&

*But with a precious few you should hold on. 

Be careful whose advice you buy-but be patient
with those who supply it. 

READ THE DIRECTIONS
DON’T FOLLOW THEM
e v e n

i f

y o u

Advice is a form of nostalgia. 
Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from
the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly
parts and recycling it for more that it’s worth. 

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. 
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. 
Get plenty of calcium. 
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40 it will look 85. 
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. 

Brother and sister together we’ll make it through.  Someday a spirit will take you
and guide you there.  I know you’ve been hurting but I’ve been waiting to be there
for you and I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I can.  Eveybody is free. 
Everybody.  Brother and sister together we’ll make it through.  Someday a spirit will
take you and guide you there.  I know you’ve been hurting but I’ve been waiting
to be there for you and I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I can.  Eveybody
is free.  Everybody.  Brother and sister together we’ll make it through.  Someday a
spirit will take you and guide you there.  I know you’ve been hurting but I’ve been
waiting to be there for you and I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I can. 

EVERYBODY’S

FREE
Everybody.  Brother and sister together we’ll make it through.  Someday a spirit
will take you and guide you there.  I know you’ve been hurting but I’ve been
waiting to be there for you and I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I
can.  Everybody is free.  Everybody.  Brother and sister together we’ll make it
through.  Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there.  I know you’ve
been hurting but I’ve been waiting to be there for you and I’ll be there just
helping you out whenever I can.  Everybody. Everybody’s free.  Free.  Free.  Free.