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Advice You Would Give to Your 12 Year-Old Self?

Posted by Cliff on from the hindsight-is-20/20-but-you-already-knew-that dept.

urbazewski asks: "If you could send a message back to your nerdy unpopular 12 year old self, what would you say? I've been asking this one for several years, and the replies sound suspiciously like the lame advice I got from adults at that age ('just be yourself, dear'). The most creative answer was from an American-born Buddhist monk, who didn't think his 12 year old self would listen to a message along the lines of 'Hey, what you're doing is kind of making things suck for me right now' --- he would send a message to himself by adding extra lyrics to a song he really liked when he was in junior high school. I got the best replies from a large class at UC Santa Cruz. The modal answer was 'Buy Microsoft.' About 7% of the class said 'Enjoy yourself in high school because college is really hard.' Another 7% said "Study harder in high school because college is really hard.' (The best variant on that theme: 'Try to figure out what "studying" is'). In the hindsight-is-20/20 dept. there was a girl who said 'Do not date the following people...' and then listed six names and a guy who said 'You know how you're thinking about trying to drive your dad's car? Don't!.' My personal favorite: 'You're a dork now, but don't worry, you'll be cool when you're in college.'"

8 of 1,554 comments (clear)

  1. I would say... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

    Stay away from computers. They ruin your social life.

  2. My advice would be: by stratjakt · · Score: 2, Informative

    Play the following lottery number in the powerball on the following date: (list would go here)

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  3. Re:Watch your links by Manfre · · Score: 2, Informative

    On that note, I think I would have to tell myself "learn the difference between a link's text and it's target and for the love of god!! Beware links from Alex!!"

  4. I'd say by kevinvh · · Score: 2, Informative

    "Read the book, Body For Life ASAP, and eat tons of protein.. In 6 years you'll be the star quarterback of the football team, instead of spending study hall crying in the bathroom."

  5. Re:Watch your links by Fnkmaster · · Score: 5, Informative

    And even more importantly, NEVER EVER go to Rotten.com. No matter how curious you may be. Don't do it. There are things in the world that you just don't want to see.

  6. Re:Watch your links by ramzak2k · · Score: 3, Informative

    " There are things in the world that you just don't want to see." That included the previous comment , please mod it down.

    --

    Siggy Say, Siggy Do
  7. Re:Save! by shadowbearer · · Score: 2, Informative



    Just stay away from the S&Ls.....

    SB

    --
    It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
  8. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2, Informative

    Comment removed based on user account deletion