17. Reach out if you ever feel alone. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

To My Baby Sister, Here Are 18 Nuggets Of Wisdom To Keep In Mind When You Turn 18

You're an "adult" - but you're not really an adult.

1030
To My Baby Sister, Here Are 18 Nuggets Of Wisdom To Keep In Mind When You Turn 18
Eileen Stremming

In This Article:

Turning eighteen is a big deal but it doesn't have to be so scary when you keep a few things in mind. I gathered some advice from some friends and family to help you be less anxious about it all!

1. It's okay if you don't know what you want to do with your life yet - you've got time!

Giphy

Wise words from your eldest sister.

A fellow creator, Lora, added, "It's okay to not have your whole life planned out at 18, even though society expects you to."

2. Love your Mama.

scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net

Advice from none other than your very own...mama.

3. Treat yo self!

Giphy

Ate Lauren said, "Treat yo self whenever you can, by yourself! Take yourself out to eat, take yourself to the nail salon, and go by yourself! Enjoy time by yourself to relax and not have to worry about pleasing another person."

And while you should do this, my fellow creator Jillian warns "Also, don't spend all your money on Chick-fil-A and Chipotle."

4. Don't rush into a relationship for the sake of having one. 

We all deserve a love like the Obamas.

Giphy

Another fellow creator Monica warns.

And Ate says, "The love of your life will come into your life when you least expect it." And I mean...can we blame her for this advice?

Keep working on you and loving yourself.

5. Be patient with yourself.

"With relationships, with school, with beauty, with growth. You have a world of life in front of yourself so there's no need to rush acceptance and achievement." Wise wise words from my editor, Larissa. You'd love her!!

6. Be gentle with yourself. 

Be Bob Ross...but like...to yourself too.

Giphy

From your big me: Things can and will get stressful and the pressure to be someone/do something will always be there, so sometimes you just need to let things go, turn social media off and try to relax and take care of yourself. It's okay to say no if you're mentally and physically exhausted. Give yourself a break. Treat yourself. Read a book, bake, paint or whatever it is that puts your mind at ease. Do something you've always enjoyed doing. It's definitely something I wish I did more of as I stressed through high school and college and now a professional career. Be gentle with yourself, because you're doing the best you can.

7. Be careful with credit cards. 

Giphy

Any debt is really not any fun. Use credit cards wisely and only if you have money to pay them back! I know shopping is fun especially but we gotta be careful!

This one and the next few nuggets are from your lovely eldest sister.

8. Travel as much as you can. 

Giphy

If that is something you want and desire. It's important to see the world for different perspectives.

9. Listen to those older than you. 

They only nag because they know from experience what they're talking about!

I know we're annoying but honestly...it's because we don't want you to make the same mistakes as us.

10. Start exercising now and learning how to take care of yourself!

This is you, probably.

Giphy

Ate says our metabolisms start to slow down at your age, so enjoy it while it lasts, but don't lounge around lazily. You've been warned.

11. Tell the people in your life that you love them.

Giphy

Do it often and never feel like you're overusing "I love you" or "I appreciate you."

12. Don't compare yourself to others.

Giphy

Erin says this: "I know it's hard, but don't compare yourself to others. You are your only competition and it's okay if you aren't exactly on the track you want to be on. That's life. Take detours and have fun doing it. Don't take life too seriously we are all working at our own pace and that's okay."

13. The world is not against you!

Jady says it's important to remember that. And know always who is going to be there for you and treat them accordingly.

We're all living our own lives and it's hard to remember sometimes when things can get hard but you've got this.

14. Be happy. 

Giphy

Create your own happiness. The world is tough so sometimes you are the only thing you can depend on for happiness.

15. Turning 18 does not mean you're ~really~ an adult. 

Ena says, "You're nowhere near an adult yet at all, it's okay to not know what you're doing or what you wanna do and it's not a shameful thing. Also, it's not shameful to ask for help!" (She also said you won't be for decades, but you know, this is her advice, not mine to you).

16. When it comes to life after high school, don't fret.

I know right around my 18th birthday I was plagued with the idea of what the heck do I want to do with my life? I wanted to do something that helped people was all that I knew. And it's confusing and scary, I know. I had no idea where I wanted to go or school or what I wanted to go to school. And it's okay to not know what comes next. And I know this seems like a reiteration of things that have been said previously, but if you don't want to go to school immediately-- that's alright too. As long as you're doing what you're passionate about I think that everyone will support you.

17. Reach out if you ever feel alone.

Giphy

I know it's hard to sometimes, but it can really help you so you don't spiral.

18. Ask questions!

Ate Caroline says, "Throughout school, you're so many things, but they never teach you adult things: like taxes, managing bills, and balancing relationships. So, ask questions! Be patient with yourself and remember your self-worth."

You're incredibly cared for. So know that you can lean on anyone for help and guidance.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

The Unwritten Rules Of "Talking"

What is "talking?" How does one "talk?"

5131
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774811
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

1494
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments