Question: What should a Young Woman Know at Eighteen?
Answer: She should establish credit- number one. Without credit, it is hard to do anything in life (buy a car, buy a house one day, etc. etc.) Open a small charge account at a store at the mall or even a gym membership to build credit, then you will be offered more chances to build it. You have to show credit card companies (and later banks etc) that you can be trusted to pay bills.
She should also have voted, and be in the process of either getting an education or work experience. She should gather as many skills and learn as many computer programs as possible. She should also know how to talk to and deal with as many types of people as possible. How to have a decent handshake, look people in the eye, make conversation, leave a conversation gracefully, etc. She should know how to take direction from a superior/boss without having an attitude. She should know how to accept a compliment and a gift graciously, how to write a thank you card and how to give a true apology.
My advice is that you should breathe and not be too hard on yourself. You have plenty of time, you are just beginning. The fact that you are even thinking about these things means you are on the right path.
Family: Treat them kindly. If they are toxic, love them from afar, have minimal contact.
Relationships: Don’t date someone you wouldn’t marry. Date around and avoid total hot losers, because you might fall for them and then find it hard to get out of the relationship. Date people who are educated and have good values, and then when you are older, choose one to marry who would not only make a good husband/wife, but a good father/mother to your children. There is no rush on this.
Career: Get into a company at the lowest position, even if it doesnt pay well right now, work your way up through the company. In five years, you could be making a lot of money and get really high up because you know the company. OR: Go to college and get educated first, and then get hired at a higher salary if you are lucky. Don’t expect to know exactly what you want to do at this age, but a general direction is good.
Purpose: This will unfold throughout your life. You won’t necessarily know what it is right this second, so be okay with that. It will be revealed to you.
Living Life: Do the right thing even if no one is watching. Have integrity and do everything you can with excellence. Look people in the eye when you talk to them, be interested in others and learn good social skills. If they are toxic, again, minimize contact. Do your best, and don’t be too hard on yourself for not knowing your complete plan right this second. Have faith that it will unfold.
