---
title: Make 5 new friends today
date: 2026-06-13T21:04:54+05:30
categories:
  - education
---

Here's my address to the graduating class the [IITM BS Program](https://study.iitm.ac.in/) today:

![](https://files.s-anand.net/images/2026-06-13-make-5-new-friends-today.avif)

---

**Make five new friends today.**

Your CGPA is what you're most focused on. When I graduated, my CGPA helped me get a job. It didn't help much after that.

Getting that job helped me for the four years I worked there. That's it.

The things I learnt in class helped a bit longer. Maybe six years. There is a long tail.

But all of these are _depreciating assets_.

**Make five new friends today.**

The friends I made at college are still friends. Your friends will grow more influential and build stronger relationships. That is an _appreciating asset_.

And in the AI era, this is an asset that will appreciate even more.

Talk to the person to your left. Your right. In front of you. Behind you.

**Make five new friends today.**