What advice would you give your 19 year old self?

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Im 19 years old and pretty much just thinking about the future and where I will end up in my career. I was wondering, what would YOU tell your 19 year old self back then? or if so, now? or later on?

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
As a 19 year old, this thread is both fascinating and terrifying....

I can already see the potential mistakes I'm making, and I am trying to remedy them before they become major regrets--i.e. throwing out the ideas of joining the Navy or going to med school because there's a (very supportive of all my decisions, kind, loving, slightly older and more put together than I) boy that wants to marry me sometime in the next 10 years. I have an unhealthy obsession with that number, not him.

Ok. /End sappy-gooey-story-time rant

Keep the advice coming!

It's not too late to change your mind.

I remember REALLY WELL knowing 6 months into my 11-year relationship/marriage that it was a mistake. The first time I remember thinking that it was a mistake, I said to myself "We live together, it's too complicated to leave now." And then 2 years in, thinking "We own a house together, it's too complicated to try to leave now." And then 2 years after THAT, thinking "We have a child together, it's too complicated to leave now." And 2 years later, thinking "I'm pregnant with our second child, it's too complicated to leave now." And then, 5 years later, with two kids, no fulltime job, and owning a house together, I was still able to figure out how to leave. And I left. And I'm a MUCH happier person, and my children are also much happier, for having left. Just wish I would have listened to that voice at 6 months into the relationship, telling me it was a mistake.

Listen to that voice.

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Yes, I should have gotten out of that past relationship before it got violent. But I got out before my boys were old enough to remember so I think I did okay.

I'm not LIKING this, I'm just telling you want to punch that dood out.

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1. Develop good habits now. It's much harder later on when more obligations arise.

2. A guy who tells you that he cheated on his previous girlfriend will most likely have a repeated occurrence. No matter how much he tries to convince you that he's changed.

3. Network, network, network.

4. Save money, and stop eating out.

5. Don't let others take advantage of you. You can be nice and still draw a line.

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Don't listen to your high school counselor! You don't have to go to a 4 year school straight out of high school. Go to the 2 year school first, then you can transfer. You are going to drive your parents broke paying for that. Also don't listen to everyone who says not to work during school. You are an adult now and you are responsible for your education. You can handle it.

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Whatever you do, do not get sucked into nursing.

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I just turned 19 in July and what I have learned from reading all of the comments is to stay single! It seems like the recurring theme of these comments is relationship regrets.

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I just turned 19 in July and what I have learned from reading all of the comments is to stay single! It seems like the recurring theme of these comments is relationship regrets.

I don't know about others, but the advice would not necessarily be to stay single. Rather, choose your partner wisely. Relationships are messy and tend to distract you, especially when you are younger and don't have a lot of experience in that area.

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Whatever you do, do not get sucked into nursing.

Hahhahahahahaha!!!

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Yes, I should have gotten out of that past relationship before it got violent. But I got out before my boys were old enough to remember so I think I did okay.

Mine were less than three, but even though I moved across the country before the oldest was eight, he still got to have them every summer, all summer, every year until they refused to go anymore and realized he didn't really want them anyway. He managed to screw up a lot of good I did over weeks or months in no time. Nothing I can do about it now, except have unseemly gloating when he comes to a wedding and sees my (our) granddaughter lovin' me and me her, and he wonders why he can't do that. Because he was an abusive SOB, that's why, and his dtr won't have a thing to do c him. Her kids barely even know who he is.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I just turned 19 in July and what I have learned from reading all of the comments is to stay single! It seems like the recurring theme of these comments is relationship regrets.

No, not stay single. But be very very discerning in who you choose to spend the rest of your life with.

A good book I would recommend is "He's Just Not That Into You." I think EVERY young woman should read it.

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There is absolutely no shame in going to a state school or community college. And don't go to journalism school if you ever want to pay off your ridiculous private school loans.

There's more to life than your boyfriend. Especially that one. What a loser.

Live within your means. Just because you can get financing on that pretty Mustang, doesn't mean you should get it. Be careful with credit cards.

Spend time with your grandparents. Listen to their stories. Take pictures.

Stay out of the tanning beds. Wear moisturizer with SPF. Take off your makeup before bed. Drink enough water.

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@klone Lol I'll check it out!

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