From time to time, Zach Fowle will provide a visual guide to every day and extraordinary situations ... and (because he has bad handwriting) Claire Lawton will illustrate them. Welcome to Charted Territory.
Don't listen to your valedictorian or the old guy they dragged out of retirement to speak at commencement.
Don't worry about the colorful ropes or strange Latin phrases they put
on your diploma (which you will lose after your first move out of
college).
Do take advantage of all of the cash that will soon come your way via extended family and your parents' friends.
Don't wear heels to walk across the stage. Just don't.
Do, however, wear something nice under your gown. It's 100 degrees outside, and that wearable solar oven should come off as soon as your grandmother can figure out how to take a picture of you and your mom on your smartphone. #instagram
Don't worry about finding a job for at least a week, after which you can
either hit the pavement or continue riding the waves through grad
school.
Do remember that this is your last summer vacation. Ever.
And don't hold on to your cap and gown -- that shit will
make a totally awesome toga or fuel a sick bonfire at your post-graduation (or end of the world) bash.
Congratulations and welcome to the real world.
