When we were kids, we were not satisfied with our age. I am willing to bet my car that most of us screamed the words, "I can't wait to grow up!" when we didn't get our way. We wanted to be the rebels. We wanted to be able to stay out past curfew hours or be able to go out with our friends, but our parents held us back. Looking back now, I really wish I could have bitten my tongue when I shouted those words. It turns out growing up isn't near what I thought it was going to be. I thought it was all about staying out late, going where I wanted, doing what I wanted and having no care in the world because I was now a grown up. Oh, how horribly mistaken I was.

I was always told by other adults or even song lyrics that growing up would be the best days of my life. I would like to say that those words were a complete lie. Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad, but I wish I did not rush my childhood like I did. I learned that growing up obviously comes with more responsibilities. That was a no brainier. What I was not prepared for was the drama, the tears, learning who my true friends were, paying attention to current events worldwide or within our community, trying to figure out a career and having to check my bank account to make sure I had enough money to pay for a new outfit.

For most kids, like myself, care about the world was minimal. Our biggest issues were scraping our knees because we fell off our bikes again, being upset with our parents because they called us in when we wanted to catch more lightning bugs, screaming with excitement when you heard the ice cream truck (even though I still do that) and that boys or girls had cooties. I wish I could go back to that kind of world.

Now, my lifestyle is different. I now don't find myself crying over a bloody knee, but rather because I am experiencing a fight with a friend that may not end well or I am going through a dreaded heartbreak. I got over the cootie stage and I learned the meaning of connections and feelings for someone who has caught my eye and ultimately my heart. Just when things seem right and I thought I found this Prince Charming I was told about as a little girl, he turns out to be the complete opposite and I am left in tears wondering where it all went wrong. I wish I didn't rush into heartbreak.

It's no more crying over being called "dummy" or "loser," but harsher words that were created by rumors. Life has turned into a "he said, she said," where screenshots are constantly sent to other phones as a form of blackmail. I don't know if I prefer that or the unpredictable three way call (as shown in "Mean Girls"). As a kid, I thought everyone was my friend, and I certainly labeled a lot of them as a best friend. Now, I have learned the importance of quality over quantity. Life was a lot more peaceful when I thought everyone was a friend. The sad part is, I could count on one hand the childhood friends I still consider friends. I wish friends didn't always have to change.

When I was a little girl, I did not understand world affairs. I was in first grade when 9/11 happened, so I did not comprehend its significance. Now I am old enough to understand, and I wish I didn't. I am also now old enough to participate in elections, which scares me because instead of hearing who my parents are voting for or what the TV commercials are telling me, I actually have to listen for myself because it's my turn to cast a vote for our future. I understand war now and the tragedies happening all across the world. Every morning, I wake up to a CNN alert on my cell phone about something. I wish I could go back to the naive little girl who watched the TV cluelessly.

All through elementary school, I was asked the famous "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My answer was the same: a teacher. I am a rare case in the sense that I am in college studying to be a middle school math or language arts teacher. However, I am about to graduate and enter the real world where I have to apply for a job, and I will be in charge of a classroom. Although this is me following through with my dream, I would be lying if I didn't say that I was scared of being thrown into the job search after hearing how bad it is for teachers. It would never turn me away from my passion, but it's intimidating as you're ready to leave college. I wish I could go back to the little girl who always played school with her younger brother with old textbooks my teachers didn't need anymore.

Although we may wish we could go back to our childhoods and take back the phrase we shouted, we cannot. A time machine has not yet been invented. So, the next best step is to just not wish it again. Instead of looking so far into the future, try and enjoy the present. If not, you may regret not spending more time in the present while you had the chance.