If only I knew now what I knew then! A presentation delivered to my old high school almost 20 years since graduating.

1. Adventures since High School
Despina Karatzias

2. Despina papathanasiou
Came from Greece @ 8 - started school in grade 3 - learnt english in grade 4

3. “life sucked for a while – played it’s not fair”
parents couldn’t read - couldn’t write - no help - felt disadvantaged - struggletown

4. fascination with the world
couldn’t wait to turn 14 & 9 months to get job - 2 jobs - saved 15k travelled the world

5. If it’s important you’ll find a way if
not you’ll find an EXCUSE...I told
myself:
I can’t run
I can’t swim
I can’t play
I can’t be seen
I can’t have fun
WHETHER YOU THINK YOU CAN OR THINK YOU CAN’T, YOU’RE RIGHT..........
TODAY RUNNING IS ONE OF
MY FAVOURITE THINGS.....

6. No regrets, just lessons
learned
“No regrets”
Determined to give
everything absolute
best go
Academically average
Could I have done
better?
“IN THE END WE REGRET THE
CHANCES WE DIDN’T TAKE”

7. first crossroad
head vs heart

8. “told you’re good at listening and giving advice”
looked at social work as a career path but wasn’t sure....

9. THe epic wins and epic fails
6 key lessons learned

10. Got into monash university - left after 6 months
lesson 1: social work not my thing - saying no is just as important as saying yes

11. pursued a career in travel & tourism
Lesson 2: score does not define you - tafe pathway to university – pursued a path from passion

12. Married the love of my life - we made 3 people
lesson 3: friends teachers will come and go family is for keeps

13. tourism career led to global ballooning
LESSON 4: you are responsible for your own results

14. SPENT FIRST PART OF MY CAREER trying to “FIt IN”
lesson 5: be you - WHAT MAKES you DIFFERENT IS your strength - your power

15. Back to school
lesson 6: inspire your mind, stay hungry, be amazed or be amazing, you have greatness

16. your journey
5 important things to consider

17. GOALS
CREATE A PATH
CREATE A CHALLENGE
KEEP YOU TO A HIGHER STANDARD
YOU START WITH THE END IN MIND
S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

18. WHAT DO
YOU WANT
TO BE
ASK YOURSELF WHODO YOU WANT TO BE
WHO INSPIRES YOU
WHAT DO THEY VALUE
WHAT DID THEY DO
SEEK MENTORS

19. WHO ARE
YOU
HANGING
OUT WITH?
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT WANT THE BEST
FOR YOU
POSITIVE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS THAT WANT YOU TO DO WELL
WE ARE THE AVERAGE OF THE PEOPLE WE HANG OUT WITH
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT NOT WHAT THEY WANT

20. EDUCATION =
RESPONSIBILITY
YOUR TEACHERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO INSPIRE YOU
AND PUSH YOU TO LEARN
YOUR PARENTS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO INSPIRE YOU
AND PUSH YOU TO LEARN
NONE OF IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE - NONE OF IT WILL
MATTER UNLESS YOU REALISE IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILTY

21. IF IT’S MEANT TO
BE IT’S UP TO ME
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU HAS A TALENT AND GREATNESS
WITHIN YOU
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU HAS SOMETHING YOU ARE GOOD
AT
WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW DOESNT HAVE TO DETERMINE
WHERE YOU END UP

22. STAY IN TOUCH
DESPINAKARATZIAS@GMAIL.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/DESPINAKARATZIAS
FACEBOOK.COM/INSTITUTEOFEXCELLENCE
TWITTER.COM/DESPIK

23. THANK YOU
BE GOOD - BE HAPPY :)