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This is the time of year when the Kings County Record usually offers our graduates some sage advice. But this year, we offer not the most philosophical advice like "pursue your dreams" or "love what you do." No, this year, we have found some pearls of wisdom that are far more practical in nature. So here goes.

From the book Dumbing Down our Kids by educator Charles Sykes:

1. Life is not fair; get used to it.

2. The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.

3. You will not make $40,000 a year right out of high school.

4. If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss.

5. Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping; they called it opportunity.

6. If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

7. Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

8. Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades; they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.

9. Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

10. Television is not real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

From a commentary by Paige Ferrari, MSNBC contributor:

1. Clean up People who have spent the last four years on a campus (or high school), don't initially recognize that the world is not entirely made up of 18-22 year olds. When you are surrounded day in and day out by people in your age group, you take it all for granted but you are soon to be tossed into a world of people with decades of experience on you. Your only advantage is that they are older and not nearly as good looking.

Unfortunately, if you're like me, you will be tempted to treat the busy parts of real life like the week of final exams an excuse to come into the office with a ponytail, shower shoes, a few dabs of zit creme and a shirt covered in sweat and chocolate stains. Bad idea. This is the time when you can still trade off your looks. Do it, before that ship sets sail. Additionally, there is no reason to dress in drawstring pants, and no excuse for a tracksuit unless you are a cast member on The Sopranos.

2. Don't buy that ... really ... don't I know the gold-plated spinning tire rims look good now, but when you get home and realize "I don't even have a car" the purchase will just seem silly.

Though it may seem overly simplistic, I adopted a rule to curb my spending: If you're tempted to buy it, wait 24 hours. If it's ridiculously expensive, give it 24 more. After 48 hours, if it is still ridiculously cool, buy it. Just, for the love of God, don't put it on credit. Anyone who reassures you that your $2,700 bill is nothing to worry about because "carrying a balance builds credit" has more money and job security than you, and should probably be kicked in the shins.

From rocker Ted Nugent:

1. Do not complain. Any spineless whiner can do that. Instead, look for solutions to tough problems. This will earn you respect from your boss and get you promoted.

2. Remember Rosa Parks. Be prepared to defy stupid laws and regulations wherever you find them. Raise hell. Vote smart.

Gary Bolding tells grads this: "Your families are extremely proud of you. You can't imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money."

We'll leave the final word to outgoing US President George W. Bush, who said: "To those of you who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you too may one day be president of the United States."

Best wishes to all our graduates. Play nice and stay safe.