I totally love this time of year when all the seniors are settling on their plans, wearing their class rings, and fitting for caps and gowns and prom dresses.

Wahoo!

If only I’d known this stuff when I stepped across the stage and smiled at the camera with my high school principal.

•College classes at 8 a.m. are a bad idea.

•Pizza is not an all-encompassing food group.

•Two full years of language might gobble up four full years of school, since each semester might have to be repeated and could be hard on GPAs.

•Faithfulness is not measured in a day, which is a relief on some days.

•Mean snobby girls were really very insecure. Bless their hearts.

•In a crisis, the worldliest person will seek out the Christian they normally persecute.

•Ideas evolve. And that while God is all-knowing, I am not.

•By 40, we all know a ton of things that we couldn’t possibly know at 18. Which means we should be in awe of 80-year-olds because they probably know tons of very mysterious and humbling stuff.

•Leadership equals service.

•Instead of looking for Mr. Right, look for the person who will commit with you to putting up with each other for 50 years.

•The disciples wrote an evangelism tool and it is not “The four spiritual laws.”

The book we call John was written to introduce Jesus and, at 21 chapters, is probably the most condensed version that is appropriate — except for a life that looks like His.

•Pay attention in class because chemistry will come in handy later in life.

And algebra. And anatomy.

•Some of the best advice I ever got was from people who hated me. (Or: A true friend is one that tells the truth even if it hurts. Or: Wouldn’t I rather hear it from anybody before it is too late?)

•God’s will is simple: It is to love others in ways that are sacrificial.

•Modern-day Pharisees are still people who love tradition more than truth. This would have helped me figure out whom to follow.

•The momentary benefits of alcohol were not worth the ultimate cost.

•All Americans are pretty much rich by international standards.

•Going against the crowd is nine times out of 10 the right thing to do. Or as one friend says: Take the blame now because it will be credit later.

•People who say “I don’t have any regrets” are probably lying.

Oops, that’s 19.

Congratulations to the soon-to-be graduating class of 2010.

Cathy Primer Krafve lives and writes with a Texas twang. Visit checklistcharlie. blogspot.com.