What should I say to a class of seniors about life after high school?

I would consider avoiding the idea of linking laziness and depression to happiness later in life. I realize that your point here is that things can get better, but to a person who is yet to reach that level of happiness, they will focus on the similarities at hand, and happiness is not one of them. This can translate into a feeling of uneasiness and lead to further depression. While this will certainly help you connect with the students, it will not be beneficial. Sorry if I am not making myself clear on this. Basically what I am saying is that you should focus on the good side of things and talk about that, keeping the negative side to a minimum, even if in reality this was not the case. There are other ways to show people that it gets better. The LGBT topic does sound like a good idea, again if it is presented in a correct way, meaning it should not be linked to depression.

 

Keep it all positive. Things are better after high school because _________

I met more friends with similar interests after high school.
The professors at our college always treated us like adults.

I would certainly bring up LGBT topics, especially the difference you felt in high school, and after.

Don't bring up how bad high school was, most everyone in high school is right there with you anyway.

 

Good luck too... I have severe anxiety when giving speeches or presentations to large groups.

 

I agree with not posting about being lazy when you were at the school. You have to speak to the crowd and that's just not something they would want to hear. They expect you to inspire them. You need to pay tribute to your English teacher so talk about something he/she did that inspired you. I think the best approach is to do this in three steps: connect, relate, inspire. First, connect with the audience by relating to them as one of them. You can do this but humbling yourself to your role as speaker. Something that says you don't know why they would want a klunk like you to come back and speak, or maybe, just when you thought you got away form the place they call you back in, something like that. Then say something reminiscent about the school. The students will be feeling emotional about leaving and nostalgia from you will resonate well with them. Then relate to their past experiences by bringing up some of your own, making at least one of them in context with the English class and English teacher showing how he/she inspired you. Then it's your turn to be inspiring by talking about your experiences post high school. This would be a good time to bring in the LGBT theme.

 

Wow, that's really good speech advice for anyone

 

Good.

 

great, wouldn't mind hearing more detail.