What advice would you give to a teen?

Question

zeitgeist057 · Accepted Answer

First and foremost I would say being a teen is an incredible opportunity to achieve great things. Your brain is working on a phenomenal level, your body as well. Everything is bursting with growth hormones so now is a great time to learn anything you want from juggling to dance, new languages, programming, or any other skill. You also have the luxury of parents supporting you so you have heaps of free time to spend developing these skills. If you are anything like me, though, you're going to spend a lot of that opportunity just goofing off with your friends. Which is okay, we need to enjoy life as well. Just know that you can do anything.

After that, I would say use life to experiment and experience as much as possible, but also be cautious and think about risk vs. gain when doing things. For example, I would be the opposite of most people and say sex and drugs are fine. The problem is when people have sex or use drugs mindlessly, or are pressured into it rather than by choice. But if you want to try something, I say go for it, with care and caution. Everyone knows cocaine is HIGHLY addictive, right? Okay, well I did cocaine once to try it, and made sure not to do it again for several months (maybe it was over a year?). Everyone knows so much about what is dangerous and will tell you not to do this, don't do that. Well, I've lived an incredible life full of amazing experiences and most of them I wouldn't have done if I listened to the rest of the world and all their fears about this and that. That's why my life is one that very few have lived something comparable to, and I've even had people who couldn't' believe it.

College: don't just go for the sake of going. Go to learn about yourself and the world, or if you have a dream profession that needs that education. "General Ed" is actually a pretty cool way to find out lots of stuff you didn't know you didn't know. Take some fun classes just because they look fun. I think community college is the smartest route: it's practically free and the courses count toward higher universities. Why pay $40,000 when you could pay $500 for the same thing?

Work: Get something out of it. A skill, or happiness. I worked in restaurants at first, and I learned a lot about cooking, which has helped me my whole life, since I can cook well at home. Now I work in behavioral/mental health, which helps me a lot to understand people and navigate difficult people.

You've got a LOT of answers on here, some I look at and think how silly they are. But I would say read them all, even the silly ones. Because even just knowing that all these perspectives exist is an important lesson. Knowing the options before you make your choices. Understanding that the limits to your life are the ones you place there.

Kingofkings1992 · Accepted Answer

Take school seriously!!! There’s many things you know in your 20s that you wish you knew in your teens.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

As an older teen speaking to a younger teen, I need you to listen. If you're picked on, stick up for yourself. I used to be bullied a lot, but finally one kid hit me (yes, at school) and started a riot over it. I didn't actually inflict any damage or pain on him, and I got sent to the office (he never got suspended), but no one has touched me since that day in ninth grade. Stick up for yourself, please.

RebeccaBI2000 · Accepted Answer

Keep your guard up, experience life. Never let anyone tell you your not smart enough or Pretty enough to do something

dragoblack · Answer

Understand that you don't need to prove yourself to anyone enable for them to like you. Be proud of what you enjoy and rock it.

People will always talk crap no matter what you do, but you will always get respect for being yourself in an environment where everyone feels they need to play a character.

Understand that acquaintances are those who know of you, and friends make an effort to get to know the real you & have your back.

The best description i was given of confidence is doing something with no hesitation or worry without over thinking.

A relationship shouldn't be built on sex, it should be like best friends with romantic benefits. If you have issues in the relationship, don't be afraid to talk about them with your partner.
If you do eventually have sex (like many horny teenagers do), Wear a condom and make sure to use lube.
Don't be afraid to communicate with your partner during sex, no one automatically knows their partners favorite spots, and it doesn't make you less dominant to do so.

This one should be obvious, but it is highly ignored... don't send nudes or dick pics. Sending them when under the age of 18 is legally still considered child pornography. Also when you become an 18 don't send un-asked for dick pics, too many adults still do this, no one likes it and it isn't impressing anyone, just comes off as insecure.

Don't project your insecurities, It turns everyone away. Learn to self-reflect and work on why those insecurities exist.

This is important and at 15-16 too many teens do it. Don't talk about your sexual exploits, especially with your partner. It's embarrassing for them, and look bad on you. It's disloyal to your partner, and looks like you can't keep things private nor keep secrets.

This is a huge one... CONSENT IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER WHAT IT IS.

libsaretards · Answer

1. Learn about credit. Learn EVERYTHING you can about how credit works, what hurts/helps your credit and the impact credit has on your life. If your school offers it, take a personal finance course. If they do not, look up the 5 factors that make your credit score.

2. You do not know who you are yet so do not mess with relationships. Do the best you can in school.

3. College is not your only option. There is trade school, the military and many other options. College is A path to success, not THE path to success. Student loans are one of the few things that CANNOT be discharged from bankruptcy in most cases so take them serious. If you do not know 100% that you want or need a degree, delay the decision.

4. The career you THINK you want to pursue may not be the career you want later in life when you grow up. Learning never stops. Learn EVERYTHING you can and make sure you learn marketable skills at all times.

5. Nobody is responsible for your success/failure in life besides yourself. If something is out of your control, accept it. If you CAN influence it, do so smartly.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Here's what I have learned.

#1: Put God above all and get saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ as soon as possible.

#2: You have to be independent as much as it depends on you. If someone offers you help, take it but learn to rely on yourself because in this life especially as you get older you are the one who has to get things done, not someone else.

#3: Some people can fake real good as if they are on your side so don't trust their smile in your face and charm as that can be extremely deceiving.

#4: Do not repeat mistakes. Learn from your mistakes, better to learn from the screw ups of others and don't think you're going to roll the dice on the same b. s. they did and it's going to be different for you.

#5: Being prepared is extremely important. It gives you a lot of advantages instead of being caught by surprise or not knowing what to do.

#6: Life has hard challenges and some can be totally unexpected. Go through it and grow from from it. It will make you stronger and better on the other side when it's over.

#7: You are 100% responsible for yourself. You are responsible what comes out your mouth, where you go and what you do. Blaming others isn't going to work.

#8: Learn how to spend and save your money. Don't buy stuff on impulse and don't buy stuff that you know you won't be using at least 50% of the time.

#9: Live your life happily. Enjoy your youth as much as you can but stay away from drugs or abusing alcohol.

#10: Chase your dreams. You know what you are naturally good and talented at wheather that's writing children's book, good with computers, acting, business etc.

Bonus.

Believe in yourself with all the might you have within and don't let fear, disappointment stop you. Good luck.

Telekinetic-Potato · Answer

Life is a game, learn the rules as you play and your life will get a lot easier.

Get used to feeling like there's a bear standing right behind you.

Anxiety is all in your head, don't respect it.

Stop trying to find love, love on its own will ruin you. Look for loyalty, look for compassion, let love be the result, not the start.

If you don't know what you want, go where the wind takes you. You can go to college at anytime. Don't waste time and money. You're too young and inexperienced to make a decision on what degree you should spend tens of thousands of dollars on.

Strengthen your mind, meditate, get to know yourself well.

Stop telling people about yourself, it ruins your credibility.

Reality is subjective. If your doing "everything" at your job and management doesn't see or hear about it, then you're actually one of the laziest employees. If you do nothing but you're friends with the manager and you exclusively do some of the things no one else does, now you're the hardest working person there.

ChiTown33 · Answer

1. Believe in yourself. You're capable of more than you know. Work hard and stay focused you'll surprise yourself (I have many times).
2. Never let others determine your worth. Listen to those that truly love you. They're the only ones who've taken the time enough to understand you enough to really judge you accurately.
3. Never let a cold world extinguish your loving heart. Too much of the world is motivated by fear, ignorance, and pain already.
4. Remember life is a journey not a destination. Stop worrying so much about where you're going that you don't enjoy the moment that you're currently at. Because in the end. It was the journey that mattered. Not the destination. Because life is temporary. But true, deep, unconditional love is forever.

humpbackjack · Answer

There’s not enough room on this app for all the advice I’d throw their way. A couple of good ones are don’t judge others because you don’t know what they’re going through, don’t expect more from your parents than you’re going to be able to do in the same situation most parents are doing their best, you need to be able to look past some of the things your friends do that’s annoys you if you want them to do the same, and most important get an education even if it’s just a couple courses (anything financial and business management will help in life) and it’s never too early to start investing your money

OneNineZero · Answer

That you are going to go out now to a cold dead cruel world , out there, everyone will try to take from you use and abuse you as much as they can and will do nothing for you, if you want to survive, learn to survive alone, dont fall for fake things like love, make money spend it on little things and when your time comes go away in peace
Don't marry and bring a child into this world
So when you leave this world you would die with peace that you didn't leave behind another soul to suffer in this shitty world after you

Klinklins · Answer

Don't spend more than an hour on phone.

Spend your time with family, friends, developing hobbies. Read a lot.
Reading will give you knowledge and people will respect you.

Never even think about dating or sex. You'll get A LOOOTT of time for that in future.

dustybiker · Answer

Take every opportunity, even if it’s just to try it.
Keep challenging yourself thats how you grow.
People who challenge you are really just insecure themselves, see through it.
Always be open to learn new things and see different perspectives.
Enjoy every part of life, but tap the breaks before creating regrets you cannot live with.

caitycat21 · Answer

Be yourself. Don’t follow crowds. I know it sounds cheesy but I struggled with this for the longest time. Most people are fake so be picky with who you call friends and who you allow in your friend group. Make sure to not be afraid to call out any ignorant or rude people in your class **

Uannoyme · Answer

Don't be in such a hurry to become an adult and live by your own rules, it sucks and it's stressful. Focus on your studies and do what you can to gain the education and skills to get a good job. Working crap jobs that don't pay you what you're worth is a hard life. Believe in yourself and don't let anyone else dictate your self worth.

crossdressingrihno · Answer

There's no point in being cool
Being cool is something you do to make yourself fit in and it's really not worth the time because that effort you could have been putting into giving yourself a personality or developing a skill will instead for your future just make you less hireable and more of a pain also it's just a lot more fun to be an individual and to do your weird things and you feel a lot less constrained so there's very little point to trying to fit in

FrenchGirl2 · Answer

You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Take your time, don't fall into peer pressure and also social media is fake. Everything is staged or edited so don't worry about anything because this person is probably insecure and is doing a spreadsheet about their next picture and will spend a good amount of time editing everything.

honeynut-scenarios · Answer

My mom always told me not to worry about what other people think because you won’t remember these people anyways. She was so right about that. I wish I told my teen self to become more involved with school, and not be so relationship focused.

nycres · Answer

#1 FFS, don't get swept up in the whole college application hysteria. It's just not worth it. Pick some schools you have a realistic chance of getting into and let the chips fall where they may. No matter what happens, it's going to be ok
1a) Don't go unless you actually want to. Get a job and work until you do want to go
1b) Do not go to a private college or university unless the name is a real head-turner in the field you're interested in. It is just not worth the astronomical expense. This is especially true if you're going to need student loans.
2) No one has the right to touch your body unless you want them to
3) People don't remember/talk about your social missteps anywhere near as long as you do
4) Getting drunk is a normal part of life but the consequences can be tragic. Be careful.

Anonymous · Answer

Understand 1 thing: Subconscious Paradigms

Don't listen to anyone else's comment. Write down this one. You will not find better advice in your entire life. I know I sound like an arrogant a-hole but I speak the truth. Everyone else is blind and trying to lead you. Do not listen to other comments. All you have to do is look at the world to know I speak the truth. Most people are average.

PrettyPriya · Answer

I would say to focus hard on studies. There is so much time in life for other things. Doing well in school is something you get one chance at. I know, boring answer but very true.

Dargil · Answer

Do not give yourself to young guys, no matter how cute and persuasive they are. They are incapable of love and commitment and will leave you in sorrow.

cosmicallyinclined · Answer

stop caring what other people think and take lots of pictures so you’ll have memories to look back on. also for the love of god use a condom and don’t have sex with someone *just* because they want to have sex with you.

theothersider · Answer

"being a teenager is temporary, Being an adult last the rest of your life so enjoy being a kid while you can. "

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Always drive on the right side of the road. Keep a few Kleenex in your pocket any time you go out. Avoid girl germs at all cost. Don't fuck a boy just because he has lots of money. Boys don't want your girl germs, anyway. If it's raining or snowing, whip your feet before coming into the house. DON'T try to breathe under water! Stop fidgeting when I talk to you. Don't talk with your mouth full and stop tracking mud across my nice clean kitchen floor!

Dude_777 · Answer

Always seek guidance and help from an expert in that field, and not just from anybody.

Have a vision for the bright future.

Make small achievable goals towards achieving your vision.

Make the habit of self development to make yourself valuable and to achieve your ultimate vision.

To make impossible possible, learn from those 5% people who made it possible, rather than from 95% who think it's impossible.

XhmadRooz · Answer

1) Be polite, 2) don't rush on looking older. 3) Choose right friends. 4) Never let your parent down. 5) Never give up education, competition with classmate, earn good grades. 6) Get a part job at age 16, don't wait after college graduation.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

Study hard but also look at what you really want to do and have a 5 year goal. look at career and how you get there, what you need, qualifications, how much costs etc But don’t forget to enjoy life

OddBeMe · Answer

1) have a savings account. No matter what. It’s free and helps to have money not tied to online spending or automatic bill pay.
2) lucrative skills are the key to making money and earning control over your life.

Kabluie · Answer

Lose your virginity to someone you care about, don't just lose it because of peer pressure. You're better off for it.

lrina · Answer

try to be confident. confidence will really help a lot.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

Fuck. Eject when you first realise the nose gear has snapped, which allows you to clear the canopy before the aircraft goes over the side. This give you a fighting chance of landing on deck and being caught by the crew.

Don't entertain the fantasy of braking to a stop after the catapult stroke has begun.

Chaneille · Answer

Live your life as you please. Think of the end in the beginning.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

1. Save your body for your future spouse. 2. Don't text and drive. 3. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. 4. Believe in yourself.

Nik_92 · Answer

Focus & give 100% to what you are doing for your bettebfuture and keep away from all the things which distract you to doing

XXblack88 · Answer

Hmm 🤔 Never run from your problems. Running from your problems only gets you in a bigger mess

Levin · Answer

I don't know man. It was your age like 3 of your life times-ago. Can't remember that shit. Can't even remember yesterday.

TallAnon · Answer

Nobody knows wtf they are doing, so don't take anyone's advice. Mine included.

Richy_Rich · Answer

Dont go to school and also dont work. Both are a waste of time. ... U gotta do both a little though...

SAMI_DABBAB · Answer

All you really have to do is be a good boy/girl, I swear you'll make it, just be good

sarahlumpkin · Answer

"The world was only made in seven days, I give you everything but time." -Nepolian

Anonymous · Answer

that GOD Christ is above
the bible is literal

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LMr6Qb0_5kM

this is the real world there is a dome above the earth

school is a lie
if you want to drop out you can

JUST KNOW YOU WILL BE HATED IF YOU FOLLOW CHRIST

but GOD loves you and he will be with you

dorksided1 · Answer

Stay young for as long as you can do not rush to do adult things as a teen, you will have plenty of time in the future for that.

skyeee_ · Answer

ill imagine this question like im giving advice to myself, keep a good school-life balance.

Iron_Man · Answer

To stay out of trouble be a good Christian girl do the right things in life. Help out mankind

gabby100 · Answer

Nothing, try to befriend them and show by example..

xJayleenx · Answer

Just be yourself and don’t let what people say get to you also don’t post your feelings on social media ever

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

I actually began writing a report today which can really help us and people of my age group overall. I still need to cite my scientifically accurate evidence and outro but I will post it later.

cookiecrusher · Answer

Don't take life advice from strangers on the internet.

TheAlphaLegend · Answer

Most teens wouldn’t even bother, until they are slightly older, on rare occasions they might take note of it.

omnivert · Answer

Do lots of things and be what you are, Also read books to control your mistake coming.

Agape93 · Answer

Don't let anyone pressure you into sex before you're ready.

dolemite89 · Answer

high school is shut a short window of time even if it seems like forever, don’t take things too personally

michael1469 · Answer

Get a job, stay at home, til you save enough to invest rather then piss it away. Pay your folks a reasonable amount of rent.

Rainbowdash990 · Answer

I don’t talk to teens it I ever have kids in the future I would tell them don’t make the same mistakes as I did don’t date until your adult as I made a mistake dating bad guys as a teenager that caused me so much trouble.

mb120101 · Answer

Every teen is lonely or depressed at some point but remember it’s only temporary

Sour-rose · Answer

"there's nothing wrong with making a mistake. What makes it worthy is if you remember the result."

linka_pat307 · Answer

Don't care about anyone's opinions and if anyone speaks any unlike you to anyone, so be it never explain yourself 2 anyone

Anonymous · Answer

You're beautiful the way you are. Don't let anyone change you.

Anonymous · Answer

Never spend money on dating because they will use those gifts with their next partner after they leave you

Kellykelz · Answer

Be yourself and don't bow to peer pressure, to fit in with friends or schoolmates.

Anonymous · Answer

Don't become a SJW or feminist or support sjws or feminists. Be red pilled and based instead.

bamesjond0069 · Answer

Dont just assume you should go to college. And anyone who just assumes or pressures you has other motives or is stupid.

Creampiekarl420 · Answer

Go with your gut and do what you want proudly even if it turns out bad no regrets

What advice would you give to a teen?

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