What I Wish I Knew At Age 17

Here's everything everyone wish they knew at the age of 17. The number next to it indicates the age the author wrote it at.

Hey 17 year old, You're old enough to think critically about the movies and shows you watch. If you want to have deep conversations, not through just talking about boring stuff, but through analyzing films, TV and even video games, look up some reviews on YouTube.

Hey 17 year old, If you find to find help for mental health, look up mental health apps or mental health websites. Search keywords like mood, anxiety, depression, relaxation, stress, and so on if you're stuck. (Not a replacement for professional help.)

Hey 17 year old, Your decision on what to do in college or what college to go to is not a decision meant to be made by your parents or family, even if they pressure you to do something you do not want to do.

Hey 17 year old, If you've just broken up with someone, be careful not to move on too fast to the next relationship. It's easy to be emotionally manipulated by the wrong person after just a breakup. Romance doesn't mean happily ever after all the time.

Hey 17 year old, When thinking about the future, of course, try your best, but it's okay if you don't end up as a valedictorian in a prestigious Ivy League University. Congratulate yourself on being your best, and success can come even without a famous college.

Hey 17 year old, Girls feel anger, guys feel sadness. Anger is important in that it allows your needs, and sadness is important in that it allows you to release all your pain (and sometimes tears.) Feelings are never wrong. What matters is how you express it.

Hey 17 year old, When you don't know what direction to go to, define the words describing what you want. What is love? What is success? What is maturity? What is wisdom? What is health?

Hey 17 year old, Advertisements who support social issues more often than not do so for emotional manipulation. If you want to shop smart, research a company if it does some shady stuff, such as not really being eco friendly or not really feminist.

Hey 17 year old, Statistically, rape is more common in people you know, even if just as acquaintances, than random people attacking you on the streets at night. Be cautious around those you know well, but don't know enough of too.

Hey 17 year old, If you're looking to take unconventional career paths other than studying in college, such as going into the trades or starting a business early, you can do so. Just make sure you have a good plan around it, and if so, go for it.

Hey 17 year old, When deciding on your future, don't listen to teachers or guidance counselors who say your future will amount to absolutely nothing.

Hey 17 year old, Hello There, I'm currently 17 and I'm gonna sit in a competitive exam really soon. BUT the fact is that I'm not able to focus on my studies I don't knw why!!

Hey 17 year old, Remember that likes and dislikes on the internet are just imaginary internet points. It's okay to want some, as long as you know it's not going to cure and fix the worst of your problems in life. Don't expect too much from internet fame.

Hey 17 year old, Margaret Atwood said “Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.” Keep this in mind.

Hey 17 year old, If you have so much information in your mind at once, write down all the specific questions you want answered, and then deal with them one by one. Simple, but it helps organize a lot of confusion that comes with this age.

Hey 17 year old, When deciding on a career, know that your career choice isn't limited to what is expected of your gender, race, sexuality, appearance, or even just the stereotypical career people associate you with.

Hey 17 year old, If you're always the caretaker of your friends or partner, it's not your job to take care of people's fragile egos all the time. You can try your hardest to be gentle, but to some drama queens/ kings, ANYTHING can sound offensive.

Hey 17 year old, Be careful of people who try to make you distrust your friends, family and others in the community, to the point where you should ONLY trust them. Whether it's a partner, a friend, a family member, an online influencer or a celebrity, it's dangerous.

Hey 17 year old, If you're worried about the future, prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. If you're worried, think of practical ways to prevent your worries for what you can control, and let go of what you cannot control.

Hey 17 year old, People stating a belief online with no reason attached does not make it true. Repeating it over and over when told it's wrong doesn't make it true either. Also, being angry does not mean you're right either.

Hey 17 year old, If you're losing confidence, know you've come so far to get to this point. No matter how small you think it is, list all the accomplishments you have accomplished up to now, and know that you can make more like that.

Hey 17 year old, Be careful what people you follow or subscribe to online. If the person you're following online seems to make you miserable, unfollow them. Make a habit of unfollowing people who only stress you out more in the long term.

Hey 17 year old, The more skills mean the more knowledge

Hey 17 year old, Know that sometimes the most confident people can be wrong, and the most insecure people can be right. This is the same to yourself as it is with others. Insecurity doesn't mean you're wrong, and others' confidence doesn't mean they're right.

Hey 17 year old, A lot of times, people get upset over matters that are unrelated to you, and involve themselves or someone else. Don't assume that when people look upset, you necessarily have to do something about it.

Hey 17 year old, If you want to be considered more experienced, talk to people who come from very different backgrounds from you, whether online or in real life. Take advantage that today we can talk to people from all walks of life.

Hey 17 year old, I want some advice for my future

Hey 17 year old, Sometimes you can do everything a person wants, but it's still not enough for them. This is not because of you, but because they don't know what they want, and that's their own problem.

Hey 17 year old, If someone makes you angry, take 5 slow deep breaths from the belly and count to 10. I'm not saying you have no right to be angry, but at least if you choose to respond, find the calmest possible response you can make.

Hey 17 year old, If you're lost on a problem, ask questions about it first if you can't think of a solution. Think like a journalist. Ask what, where, when who, why and how questions. Write it down. Then focus on answering each question at a time.