This is the time of year when changes occur.

High school seniors are embarking on their careers as college students or part of the work force. College seniors are taking the ultimate plunge into the real world or another two to four years of more education.

Regardless, there will be thousands of commencement addresses, hundreds of remarkable remarks, and only a few we’ll ever remember.

Here are a few memorable quotes from those who gave commencement speeches.

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Winston Churchill, 1941

*****

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”

Steve Jobs, 2005

Apple co-founder and college dropout

*****

“As you partake of the world’s bill of fare, that’s darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.”

Theodor Geisel, 1977

(AKA Dr. Seuss)

*****

“The best advice I can give anybody about going out into the world is this: Don’t do it. I have been out there. It is a mess.”

Russell Baker, 1995

American columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner

*****

And last, but not least:

“I have two pieces of advice. First, being pre-approved for a credit card does not mean you have to apply for it. And lastly, the best career advice I can give you is to get your own TV show. It pays well, and you are famous.”

Stephen Colbert, 2006

*****

So, there you have it. Good advice for all of us, regardless of our lots in life.

Seniors, seize this moment. Live a life that would make your mother or grandmother proud. Decisions made today may affect you and others forever. Above all, be true to yourself.

— susan berg