No matter what college you go to, what major you choose, what summer job you take, what clubs you join, what you drink, smoke or don't, what color you die your hair, what job you take, what salary you make, who you marry and how far up the corporate ladder you climb...there are but a few certainties:

1. You will die--eat well, exercise and all that stuff, but don't pass up a good time.

2. Honor your friends, keep your promises and your commitments--your word is your strongest currency.

3. If you love them, tell them often and don't let anything stop you from being with them.

4. Work is great, but so is life. When you are on your death bed, do you wish you'd worked more or laughed more?

5. Wherever you go, so does your conscience. It's a good idea to keep it clean, lest your constant companion becomes your torturer.

6. It's impossible to live without regrets, so give that up now. Instead shoot for minor and sporadic regrets.

7. Know that absolutely nothing ever goes as planned. That's usually a good thing in the end. Roll with it.

8. Say thank you. Act in ways that make other people say it back to you.

9. Nobody cares about your credit score when you're dead.

10. Your parents screwed you up. You will screw up your kids. Remember that everyone was trying to do their best. Even if they failed, you still pulled through; so will your kids.

Breath and take the first step. Later in life you'll realize how clueless you are right now and you'll miss the fearlessness it provides. Take advantage of it.