What I Wish I Knew At Age 18

Hey 18 year old, Go to college and finish in 4-5 years. There will be temptations to take a semester off, travel, follow a significant other, etc. Resist them. You will be 22-23 when you graduate, which is still so unbelievably young, but you don't know that yet.

Hey 18 year old, You don't have to go to college. It's okay to just get a normal job painting houses or something, and not have to think about it when you get home or worry about student loans. You can always change your mind and go later--the school will be there.

Hey 18 year old, Re-evaluate all your beliefs. Don't let indoctrination turn you into someone or something you don't want to be. You only get one life. Yes, this includes religion, politics, morals, values, etc.

Hey 18 year old, you should focus on studying, but you'll benefit a lot in your future life if you learn how to work and make money from the things you love to do.

Hey 18 year old, learn to dance. Will help with body confidence, make dating easier and it's a fun way to exercise.

Hey 18 year old, don't ride that bike down that staircase. Or if you do, at least pull the back brake instead of the front brake. Plastic front teeth are a pain in the ass.

Hey 18 year old, The reason people twice your age seem like they know what they're doing isn't having that much more education--it's that they've spent more time understanding themselves.

Hey 18 year old, Learn how to cook steak, salmon, and macaroni cheese properly. Your mouth will thank you, and you'll be rescued from the next five years of shoe-leather meat, flabby microwaved fish, and grated-cheese-thrown-over-pasta.

Hey 18 year old, Having crushes on people is normal. It feels like destiny, and feels like the end of the world when it goes wrong, but it really isn't. Watch your personal space, read about consent, then just chill out and enjoy having close friends.

Hey 18 year old, Become a member of the Uni gym. You only think you're not a fan of exercise because you haven't tried the right one. Buy 'Starting Strength' and try out the free weights. You'll like it.

Hey 18 year old, You don't understand dance music right now. Go find a drum'n'bass club. Don't just stand awkwardly. Get some earplugs, stand next to the speakers, and fling yourself around. Copy other people dancing. Stay out late and take a taxi or night bus home.

Hey 18 year old, you will have been advised before that it doesn't matter what others think of you. It doesn't matter what anybody thinks of you, but you're now entering the part of your life in which you can choose your peers. They should think well of you.

Hey 18 year old, You might want to go to grad school at a later time. Try to achieve a decent GPA in college.

Hey 18 year old, study something in which you know there will be job if you know you will need to find one!

Hey 18 year old, Drink less alcohol and go to bed earlier. It might be impossible to avoid drinking to the point of hangover or achy muscles but see if you can keep it done to once a month.

Hey 18 year old, Hoping to an entrepreneur for a career as a working class kid is like hoping to be a superhero or a unicorn or something like that. You’re going to have to get a wage job. But beyond that, personal connections are more important than money.

Hey 18 year old, You think it's love, don't mistake lust and settle to early.

Hey 18 year old, You are kind. You are smart. You are important.

Hey 18 year old, don't despair to have a girlfriend/boyfriend, in some years you will have everything you want.

Hey 18 year old, Read the Bible, believe everything in it, and apply it to your life.

Hey 18 year old, Cherish your college life. Do interesting and bold things. It would be the best time for some great explorations especially if you didn't have a vision of your future life yet.

Hey 18 year old, Approach "financial aid" with caution. If you take a huge loan, it means when you start to earn a living, your money will go toward repayments instead of investing in your future (wedding, home). Borrow wisely.

Hey 18 year old, You think that you're too old to be screwing up, but you are so fucking young! It's fine.

Hey 18 year old, Take your time to heal from a broken heart. It might seem impossible, but you will be okay.

Hey 18 year old, don't worry If you have not figured it all out. Time will tell

Hey 18 year old, Pick up a bachelor degree because you are passionate about the subject. Try to become wiser and more selfaware. You will have time to think about money.

Hey 18 year old, use this time wisely to figure out what you want to do in life. You are just now entering into an age of immense freedom with a rather small amount of responsibility. Try new things and be uncomfortable, that is how you grow.

Hey 18 year old, You are probably starting to choose where (or if) you will complete your post-secondary education. Don't feel pressured to go the same route all your peers or family traditionally take. Take the time to figure out what is really right for you.

Hey 18 year old, university/college is a nerve wracking time but don't worry, everything will be okay. Put yourself out there, be yourself, try new activities. People are worrying about themselves, not focused on you, trust me. Good luck. Xo

Hey 18 year old, try not to run instead of walk. Good things take time.