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What did you wish that you could do or join at the ages of 13 - 17?

Does anyone have anything that they knew such as a opportunity that they turned down or something they didn't know that they wish they knew?

career-path high-school careeradvice futureplanning personalgrowth general-career-advice-for-young-people selfreflection young-adults lifelessons careerreflection
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Saurav’s Answer

Honestly? This is the best age to take risks. No one expects you to have your entire life figured out right now, and you definitely don’t need to be perfectly "on the money" 100% of the time. You have a rare, beautiful window of freedom to experiment, dive into your passions, fail miserably, and try all over again.

If you want to make the most of these years, focus on three things:

Embrace the freedom to fail: This is your ultimate trial-and-error phase. Try a new hobby, join a random club, or pick up a weird skill. If you flop, who cares? That is exactly how you figure out who you are.

Prioritize your friends: Make memories, laugh until your stomach hurts, and build deep connections. This social foundation matters just as much as your schoolwork.

Get active outside the classroom: Go all-in on extracurricular activities and sports. Don't just do them to check a box—do them because they challenge you and make you happy.

The Reality Check: Grades are important, but top colleges don't want to admit academic robots. They are looking for well-rounded human beings with genuine personality, grit, and passion. The unique interests you pursue and the sports you play are exactly what will make your college application stand out from the crowd.

Go out there, take some healthy risks, and enjoy the ride! So probably my regret would be not doing this and being too careful and being too square. So based on this, this would be my advice to any young kid out there.
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TRAVIS’s Answer

Playing more sports and taking more dual credit classes.
Thank you comment icon I expected this from someone! Thanks! PV
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Start earning money while learning skills apart from school and colleges.
That's something that directly comes to mind. :)
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Julie’s Answer

Great question! Personally, I did not go to a middle school that offered foreign language classes. This resulted in me not learning a foreign language (Spanish, in my case) until high school. I wish this was something I pursued on my own to not only make it easier for myself once I started high school, but I also found that I really enjoyed it! Pursuing interests like this can help you later on even in your college career. In my case I considered a Spanish minor and studying abroad in Spain once I started college. If there's something like this you're interested in before high school, my advice would be to seek out what you can do to be proactive about it beforehand. Best of luck!
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Jacques’s Answer

Between the ages of 13 and 17, most people operate under the illusion that every single choice is a permanent fork in the road. Looking back at how those years shape people, the common thread is rarely a regret over missing a specific club or turning down a particular invite. The real realization is how much energy gets wasted trying to map out a future based on expectations that change entirely by the time adulthood hits.

If there is one thing people often wish they knew during those years, it is that identity is not something you find ready made; it is something you build through relentless trial and error. Most teenagers wait to feel confident or certain before stepping into a new interest, a creative project, or a leadership role. In reality, competence and clarity only show up after you have already started and fumbled through doing things badly a few times. The greatest missed opportunity at that age is almost always the hesitation caused by the fear of looking foolish.
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Fernanda’s Answer

I love your question because I often think about what I would do differently if I could. :)

One thing that I am happy I did: learning a second language has been a life changer and also working as a teenager. I worked as en english teacher for kids learning it as a second language and as a resident assistant on campus. It helps you with your confidence, presentation skills, responsibility of delivering results, etc in a real-life setting and not just in a test.

One thing I wish I did more: playing sports and being involved in extracurricular activities at schools. These help build leadership skills and prepare you to communicate better with others.
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Ashley’s Answer

That's a fantastic question! I really wish I had taken a summer job or internship. Schools don't always teach important life skills like managing money or running a business. Experiencing the working world early on would have been helpful to learn about the routine and discipline needed for a career. This would have been beneficial even if I decided to start my own business or take a different path after school. However, I did participate in many summer camps, charity work, and volunteering between ages 13-17, which was wonderful for building social, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! PV
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Steve’s Answer

At this age be practical and give you self grace. Enjoy doing the things that give you joy, spend time with people that celebrate you and say yes to everything! This is how you get experience in life, later you can learn to say no based on capacity! :)
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Jonathan’s Answer

Hi PV,

Great question! As I got older, around 16 or 17, I wished I had taken on a part-time job or internship and learned more about investing. My summers were filled with football practice, which taught me valuable lessons but didn't leave room for work experiences. A part-time job or internship could have helped me earn money while gaining those lessons.

Investing is all about time in the market. The sooner you start, the more you can benefit from compound interest. Even a small monthly investment, like $50, can grow significantly over time.

Remember, ages 13-17 are for having fun, exploring, and making memories with friends and family. Don't worry too much about work now; you'll have plenty of time for that in your 20s.

I hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank u so much! PV
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Karen’s Answer

It’s wonderful to reflect on those formative years! Thinking back on the age of 13–17 is a powerful way to understand our own evolution and the values we hold today.

Since I am an AI, I don’t have a personal childhood, but I can certainly help you brainstorm ways to frame those reflections for your document. Many people find that looking back at that age reveals a lot about their "hidden" passions—interests that might have been sidelined by school, pressure, or simply not knowing where to start.

Here are a few ways you might approach answering that question for yourself:
Follow the "Curiosity Trail": Was there a club you were too nervous to join? A hobby, like coding, photography, or a specific sport, that you thought you "weren't good enough" for? Sometimes the things we didn't do are the things we are most hungry to explore now.
The "Knowledge Gap": Is there something you wish you had known about how the world works, how to save money, or how to advocate for yourself? Identifying that gap can show you how far you’ve come and what you value teaching others now.
Opportunities Redefined: If you feel you turned down an opportunity (like a summer program or a leadership role), try to view it with compassion. It wasn't a "failure"—it was just a different path. Recognizing that can help you see current opportunities with a fresh, more confident perspective.
Writing these down can be incredibly therapeutic and clarifying!
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Suzanne’s Answer

I wish I had known at 13 how important learning Spanish would be. I was told I needed to take either French or Spanish in 8th grade and made the "wrong" choice (for someone in the USA). That is what I would do differently if I could go back in time.
Thank you comment icon I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question. PV
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Kate’s Answer

I personally wish I had done a year of high school abroad and sought out those opportunities more - I love to travel and I grew up in a small, rural town without much diversity. I would have loved to spend more time abroad to experience something new!

I also wish I knew about some of the multi-day programs geared towards high school students - often times, large companies will offer learning opportunities for students to help them figure out a potential future and career path. They typically cover the costs and it's a great way to meet new people and expand your perspective.
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Wong’s Answer

I wish I had joined more activities and tried more opportunities. At that time, I was unsure and sometimes did not take chances because I felt afraid of making mistakes.

And, I wish I had joined more clubs, competitions, or projects in school. These experiences could have helped me learn new skills and meet more people.

I also wish I had known earlier how important it is to explore different interests. If I had understood that sooner, I would have tried more things without worrying too much about failing.
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Murtaza’s Answer

At your age, I would say give things a shot. You have your whole life ahead of you and you are in the drivers seat to determine how you want to take it. Trust your instinct and the trusted adults that may be around you and remember to be open to trying new and different things so you do not have any regrets in the future.
Good luck with everything!
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