Commencement speeches are chock full of inspiring words, delivered to students as they prepared for life in the real world. This year’s speeches were no different.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told the Tufts University class of 2015 that their graduation day was one of their most important life milestones. The others, she said, are “birth, death, marriage, and the day you pay off your student loans.” First Lady Michelle Obama told Tuskegee University’s graduating class to stay true to “the most real, most sincere, most authentic parts of yourselves.” And former President George W. Bush reminded the “C” students of Southern Methodist University that they, too, could one day become President.
These quirky quips are some of many gems thought leaders have dropped on graduating classes this commencement season. Watch the video above for more motivating words to graduating scholars.
Read more: 4 Commencement Speeches to Get You Through the Week
Read more: President Obama to Grads: We Should Invest in People Like You
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Write to Turner Cowles at turner.cowles@timeinc.com