27 Feb 2018

High school is a pretty hectic time, and you have a lot of advice flying at you from a lot of different people. Your teachers, parents, friends, careers advisors and online publications (that’s us) all want to share a little bit of advice.

Sometimes, it’s to scare you into working harder during your final years (my Year 11 maths teacher I’m lookin’ at you). Sometimes, it’s to tell you that regardless of how badly you flunk your exams, your ‘rents will still be there for you (love ya, mum). And sometimes, it’s just to put everything in perspective and share what we’ve learnt about the world, to make those years in high school just a little bit better.

That’s what this video is all about and it gives some pretty f*cking good advice–regardless of where you’re at in your life. You might have heard it before, or you might not, but it’s written by Mary Schmich and spoken in the video by Baz Luhrmann. Listen to it, or just read our favourite bits–you won’t be disappointed.

1. Wear sunscreen

2. Enjoy your youth

You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

3. Don’t worry about the future

Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.

4. Do one thing every day that scares you

5. Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts

Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

6. Don’t waste your time on jealousy

Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.

7. Keep your old love letters

(Or just write some goddamn it, so your kids will have something to read when you’re old.)

8. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life

The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.

9. Enjoy your body

Use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

10. Dance

Even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

11. Get to know your parents

You never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They’re your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

12. Understand that friends come and go

But with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

You can read the whole thing here, and we reckon you should. Find your favourite part, print it out and stick it above your desk.

Memorise it and say it to yourself when you’re feeling a little bit lost or worried or stressed about what the f*ck you’re doing with your life. Follow it. Dance, stretch and make yourself a better person. Get to know your parents and remind them that you love them. Take photos and forget about what you look like–print them and keep them in a box so one day you can look back and remember what your teenage years felt like.

But most of all, wear some goddamn sunscreen.