Graduating from college is a huge landmark, signaling the end of the carefree lives our parents have supported for the last 22 years. So before you jump into that big, bad real world, here’s a look at the important lessons of life, in my version of that annoying “Everything I need to know” trend that began circa 1995: Everything I need to know I learned from my favorite television shows.
Alias
The only person you can ever completely trust is yourself, especially if you’re in the CIA. After this year’s season finale, Sydney may have been fooled for three years by her father, just the latest in a long line of family, friends and coworkers who have earned her trust and then betrayed it.
American Idol
You don’t need talent or good looks to be successful. You do need ambition and a killer stylist. And the winner isn’t always the winner in the long run. Clay Aiken might not have been dubbed the American Idol, but he’s laughing all the way to the bank with the killer success of his debut CD, “Measure of a Man.”
Beverly Hills, 90210
Never compromise your dreams just to bum around with your friends in California. Brandon gave up his dream college to chill with Kelly and the gang, and he ended up bitter and unsuccessful. Oh, and Andrea ended up with a kid and a shotgun wedding.
Dawson’s Creek
Love works in mysterious ways. Sometimes your soulmate is completely wrong for you and the person that you think you love will only make you miserable. Joey and Dawson were all wrong for each other, but Pacey was right on the money.
Felicity
Believe in yourself, no matter how much your parents disagree with your decisions. Sure, following a boy to New York University was a little silly, but Felicity didn’t let her parents talk her out of it, and when her dad threatened not to pay for college if she dropped premed for art, she got financial aid and took care of tuition herself.
Friends
Forgive, forget and move on because true friends are forever. Joey put Chandler in a box on Thanksgiving when Chandler betrayed him, and Monica told Rachel’s dad exactly what happened on his bed when she was in high school, but these best friends were always stronger after fights.
The O.C.
Being a good person pays off. Sandy took a chance on a criminal from Chino, and look at the wonders that did for his family — except for that fire, the fights and this whole pregnancy thing. But at least Seth is cool now.
Seinfeld
What goes around comes around, but what really matters is how much fun you have going around. The last episode of Seinfeld showed that all of the gang’s antics caught up to them, but in the end, those four friends have each other and their hilarious memories until they are old and gray, even if they’re still incarcerated.
