I have been dealing with all sorts of stuff lately. Not major major stuff, just everyday life kind of things that I am having my first encounters with. Love, friendship, finances, future, acceptance . . . those kind of things. It just feels like I have grown up at warp speed in about the last 3 years and my mind is trying to catch up with itself.
So I was just wondering, if you could go back and visit yourself at 21, what kind of advice would you give yourself? What valuable lessons, big or small, have you taken from life that you think would have been helpful then?
Wait to get married. Yes, marry him, but wait until you’re both out of school.
Since you’re not going to listen and are going to marry him anyway, both of you go back to school RIGHT NOW and don’t even THINK of having a baby until you’re out. Get on the pill, your periods are going to screw up soon anyway.
Forget journalism. Become a paralegal. You’ll like it.
The girl you’re going to marry in nine months – she’s good. You’ll love the following years.
Get to know your grandparents better. Three of the four won’t be around beyond the next three years or so.
When you leave your first job in 1996, don’t take the cash from the retirement fund. It’s only a small amount, but even so, start an IRA with it.
Change your college major. TV/Radio is nice, but you’re going to bang your head against the wall for the next few years trying to get in. You like computers anyway, get an earlier start on that career – it’s where you’ll end up anyway.
Spend some more time with the kids.
In the year 2000, when there will be this thing called the Internet, be sure not to forget to sign up for this message board called “The Straight Dope Message Board.”
Buy Microsoft. Buy Yahoo!, but sell in early 2000. Don’t buy Enron.
That box with the keyboard thingie that you dink around with and play games on is going to end up being your life. Think about changing career paths NOW. I don’t care that you’re a biology major.
Go back and get that Computer Science degree. Get over that bitch who nearly ruined your life and interfered with your original college plans.
If anyone tries to lure you into a get-rich-quick scheme, remember, if it sounds too good to be true, then or probably is.
You’re never going to find a decent girlfriend-- EVER-- so you might as well give it up now instead of torturing yourself for the next ten years trying to find one. Enjoy your life as a single!
Goodness, 21 wasn’t even very long ago but I’ve got a lot I’d like to have drummed into my dumbass head.
NO CREDIT DEBT. If you can’t pay it off in a month don’t buy it! If Vinny the Shark came up and asked if you wanted to borrow money at 21%, would you say yes?!
When you start feeling pretty bad this next year and start blowing class off to sleep all the time, seek help in the fall, not in the spring when your advisor will have to make deals and possibly have cheap and tawdry sex with the head of the department to convince them to let you graduate. I might have a full time job by now if I hadn’t blown that last year of college with depression.
Go out. Have a good time. Sleep around a little. Drink more. Really, it’s okay. Find out where the men are and meet them, learn how to date them. You really are a fine looking female and you should be reaping the rewards our society pays fine looking females.
Don’t get involved with women who already have children. The relationships won’t last, and they will be made more heartbreaking because of your attatchment to the kids.
Dad dies suddenly in 4 years. You can’t change it, but appreciate him more now.
Meghan is a great person, don’t be a dick to her.
That rainy day is coming soon. Put some money away, and DON’T TOUCH IT for at least 10 more years. You’ll be needing to buy a house.
1 Stop getting back together with him - it not’s going to work. You’re both too young and immature.
2 Don’t buy that car, it’s going to be a piece of shit.
3 Don’t buy that next one, it’s going to be a piece of shit too.
4 When you meet (name withheld) in a couple years, run the other way.
5 Go back to school now, don’t wait.
6 Get rid of that black miniskirt - it’s too short.
7 Don’t move back in with the parent - you will regret it!
There is so much i need to tell ya. Hey, come back here. It is really important. Yo, seriously get back here! What do ya mean you don’t need my advice?!? Hey, really…COME BACK!!!
That was only a year ago and the only thing I can think of is “If or when you do decide to move, skip Nebraska and go straight to Oregon.” Not much else has changed to really warrant any sort of talk.
