What would you say to your 15 year old self?

[CatherineHMumsnet]

Mumsnet's 15th birthday is fast approaching (what'll we WEAR?). And that put those of us at MNHQ to thinking - if, by the magic of some time travelling device, we could speak to our 15-year-old selves - what words of wisdom would we impart?

[ClaudiaNaughton]

I'd say work a lot harder at school.

[losthermind]

Stop acting as if you know everything because you know very little
Don't lose your virginity on a park bench
Your friends aren't the centre of the universe, stop dickin around in school because you need qualifications to get a JOB
Hair mascara is not a good look
Have some self respect

[marymouse]

I would tell myself that I was beautiful and had a lovely figure, and not to spend all night worrying about bitchy girls at school because in the long run it doesn't matter

[LongDistanceLove]

I would tell my 25 year old self to stop dicking around, put some effort into school, and stop worrying about everything.

I'd also tell myself to grow my hair as the short look isn't a winner on you.

[LongDistanceLove]

15 not 25, although it still applied

[FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse]

You're really thin. You don't need to be thinner. And when those girls did that makeover on you to cheer you up? The reactions were not faked. Take a damn compliment!

Oh and ENGINEERING! No one is ever going to suggest this as a career path for you. It's what you should be doing. Everytime you try to describe it, someone should be saying, "you should be an engineer". No one ever will. You'll work it out for yourself in 20 years time.

Oh and you know you say you're never going to get married or have any children? I might have some news for you on that front...

[MaCosta]

Don't waste three years dating a loser. Yes he might be a model and very popular but the nice quiet guy with floppy hair you like really would be a far better option.

[WhispersOfWickedness]

Don't be in such a hurry - it's not as easy as it looks.
Enjoy your education - you should be thinking more about that than the boys you're currently thinking about
Chill out, it will all work out the way you want in the end

[KiteKit]

I would tell myself to stop fretting and that I would turn from ugly duckling to the girl who had boyfriends chasing after her by early 20's (wish I'd had more self confidence then too though..)

That I would achieve my dreams of attending a top university and go on to post graduate studies in a an area I really love, despite how my parents laughed out loud when I expressed a desire to attend this university when I was about 13 / 14

That I would, in fact, turn out ok!

[tinytops]

Stop smoking.

And pluck your eyebrows.

[disneymum3]

I would probably tell my 15 year old self. To stop being a stupid brat, go to school instead of bunking off, get good grades and make something of myself.

[dingit]

That you will not always be able to eat whatever you like. You will put on loads of weight, and spend the rest of your life shifting it.

[EauRouge]

Things will get better.
No is a complete sentence.
Ditch the centre parting.

[Nameochangeo1234567]

Stop smoking, go to school, be nicer to mum she's going through allot, you made the right choice stop feeling guilty.

He's a nob don't waste any more time/energy/ tears on him.

Everything happens for a reason, stop giving up on yourself because one day you will be happy & you'll have everything you never thought you would. So hold your head high!

[plumstone]

Dear Plum. I promise you don't need foundation, you will learn to talk to boys without stuttering and going red , you can actually wear contact lenses - they don't shatter on your eye despite what mum said . And I know you are 15 and flat chested but trust me by your 21st you will sporting 34FFs they will be your pride, your joy, and so challenging to dress - so please spend the next few summers in stroppy tops instead of hiding in big sloppy jumpers.
Love Me xoxo
PS there is a lot of stuff you care about thats not that important but I'll let you figure it out - you will xx

[Iseespring]

Experience as much as you can -travel, meet people and do what makes you happy

[quesadillas]

Don't be scared of contact lenses.

Appreciate your skin and start looking after it early.

Don't be scared of travelling.

Don't necessarily pick your favourite subjects for A-Level, they might not be the best combination.

Appreciate your waistline!

[plumstone]

strappy - not stroppy - though at 15 they probably were!!!!!!!

[Sparklingbrook]

That blue mascara is an interesting look.

George Michael. You had better sit down, I have something to tell you about him......

[ICanHearYouShoutingVile]

Stop Smoking NOW (you'll spend thousands before you finally give up at 40!).
Don't sleep with someone for the sake of 'doing it'.
Make more effort with your friends.
Try harder at school and stay on and do A levels.
Be nicer to parents.
Enjoy being young and stop willing self to be older.
Don't dig needles in my spots as it always made them worse.
Just be happy and enjoy life.

[SoonToBeMrsB]

Don't cut off your amazing waist-length hair, you'll pine for it when you're 25 and you've bleached and straightened it into oblivion. It'll be so processed in your early twenties that your brother will tell you it feels like pubes.

STOP FUCKING EATING. You're chubby enough as it is but you're going to get a lot fatter. Put down the chocolate and go for a run!

Don't leave school for him at 17 with too few qualifications to go to uni when it all goes down the shitter at 20. He's not worth it.

[Perspective21]

Mine is quite serious, does that matter?
When I was 15, one of my brothers was killed in a motorcycle accident. This was 1984, there was no teenage counselling or if there was no one mentioned it!! I struggled back to school and sort of coped the best I could. I was quite afraid of losing other people in my family.
I would say to myself, you will find your way through, you will find real happiness with your DH and three DCs...

[Eminybob]

Don't fuck up your GCSEs!!

[FenellaFellorick]

Put down the fork.

[LadyWellian]

You are not ugly, and it is OK to be clever. And make the most of having great skin now because it's not going to last! [20 years of bastard adult acne ]