Adults constantly talk about how to better use the time one has as a teenager.
Different people give different advice on how to go about this important stage as a youth.
For those in their 20s (or nearing it), they might wonder if they have wasted their teenage years.
In school, teachers would scold for not behaving by saying something along the lines of,
“You all are 15, not 5 years old! You’re about to become an adult!”
That would make people feel like they need to mature quickly before they become adults.
But, in the grand scheme of things, one is still a baby in their 20s.
They just barely finished schooling and are now entering the working world.
It’s understandable that one’s teenage years are that weird transition from a child to an adult.
So, were those years spent right?
That’s what this article is about.
Study Hard Now = Easy Future?
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One common topic is studying, since Singapore’s education system makes it such that one’s grades are essential for the next step in life.
Combine that with the culture of some adults making teenagers feel bad for scoring badly, and Generation Z is the by-product.
There’s one camp that wishes they had done things that had a long-term benefit, though they are difficult to do.
Some might wish they had studied harder for better grades, so that they could save money and time.
They might even weirdly find it fun to study.
People were locked into mastering the skills and content.
Each hour they spend on studying moves the needle.
That sense of accomplishment when they are confident in what they’re writing on a test paper, and then the results confirm that.
But, at the same time, there’s another camp that realised they could’ve played more.
What’s the point of not playing when you’re in your youth?
Have some fun, because it doesn’t hit the same once you play as an adult.
Glow-Up And Skip That Cringey Teenage Phase
Some people wish they had taken care of their appearances.
There is the “Don’t judge a book by its cover” argument to use to claim that people are superficial, and it’s about what’s on the inside.
But, looks are important in this world of visual creatures.
One can either complain about this game or work on playing this game better.
People are attracted to someone who looks at least somewhat presentable.
However, don’t take it too far, to the point where one has body dysmorphia or anorexia.
Master These Habits Now To Not Suffer As An Adult
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Some teenagers get themselves into self-help content, such as reading books and watching videos online.
They might have this mindset to master certain habits before becoming an adult.
Replace gaming with a workout routine.
Journal and meditate every day.
Wake up before the sun rises.
Read many books and study hard.
While the intentions might be good, it might help to adhere to the habits if one focuses on just two to three things every 6 months.
Looksmaxxing, Winter Arc, 75 Hard: Are They Helpful?
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A productivity junkie might appear cooler than he actually is.
In fact, it won’t be the end of the world if one plays games or watches shows, as long as it’s in moderation.
There is no need to wake up before sunrise, just find what time one has the most energy and schedule when to sleep.
There’s no need to read books only to learn, one can listen to educational podcasts.
Perhaps some might want to be exceptional too quickly by thinking that if they’re not doing all these by the time they’re 20, they’ll suffer.
But that’s not true.
This is thinking in a very “black and white” way when there are many shades of grey in between.
Being immersed in the world of self-help could also make one sort of arrogant, because they would look down on their peers who aren’t “making moves”.
That’s when one has to practice some empathy by saying,
“Hold up. I don’t know what they’re dealing with.
They might very well also be doing these habits when no one’s looking. They might learn eventually.
No one’s that perfect anyway.”
At the end of the day, can one really call those years wasted when one is just doing what they thought was right?
How about realising that these experiences shape who they are now?
Maybe let’s not focus so much on the past and remember to not waste time right now.
One can look back on the past every now and then, but continue to stay present in the real world.
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