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What advice would you give to a young person today?

112 replies

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 15/06/2023 14:15

I feel a lot of young people are usually given advice that is more applicable to how the world used to be rather than the current reality many live in.

What advice would you give a young person today who isn't inheriting any or much family money? How can they build a good life in today's world?

OP posts:
dontgetmewrongistillbelong · 26/06/2023 13:19

This wasn’t the experience of my DC. They went to a uni near a lovely city, one joined the American Football team, the other was secretary of the history society and travelled each year with the group. They enjoyed the gym, library, going to balls etc and now earn more than their friends that didn’t go to university.

Fair enough, glad to hear your DC had a nice time. Rates of poor student mental health and overload of the counselling services with corresponding poor provision suggest that the undergraduate university experience in the UK can be damaging to a student's mental health.

I would advise a prospective student to look at the percentage of home vs international students. At some it might be 25%, while others are over 50%. Plus find out what the counselling provision is (e.g. some universities provide just 6 sessions of support for a student's entire time at university). Also look at the Guardian's student happiness ranking. Some of the global top-10 UK universities fare very badly indeed.

FarTooHotForMe · 26/06/2023 13:20

A number of my friends have been blocked from doing careers they want to do because they haven’t got a degree and now can’t afford to take time off work. One friend did an open university degree and another one studied for a degree that runs in the evening plus worked full time. Two have given up on their dream jobs, all four had no idea they’d want to do these particular jobs as young adults and said they wished they had a degree in any subject.

dontgetmewrongistillbelong · 26/06/2023 13:21

Degree apprenticeships are increasingly available - get a degree from a respected university while getting paid and zero debt!

RuthW · 26/06/2023 13:22

Always be able to support yourself financially.

MaidOfSteel · 26/06/2023 13:24

You're not as smart as you think and you don't know it all, so listen to advice.

Riapia · 26/06/2023 13:59

After years spent on MN.
Never get old, old age is a tragedy.
Advice repeated regularly on here .“Children owe their parents nothing. “

bybask · 26/06/2023 14:07

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr · 16/06/2023 00:03

Be really cautious about who you have children with. Nothing ties you more to a bell end than having to coparent with them

THIS!

JaneyGee · 26/06/2023 14:11

Don't bother with university unless there is something you passionately want to study. That is especially true of humanities subjects. Philosophy, Classics, the History of Art, etc, are fascinating, but unless you want to teach they're not much use. You'd be better off doing an apprenticeship.

I'd also advise them to be careful about relationships. Our culture puts way too much emphasis on them. Virtually every film revolves around the romantic happy ending. In reality, relationships are really hard. If it's good, and you meet someone you absolutely love being with, then go for it. But be careful. A bad relationship can ruin your life. And having kids with the wrong person is even worse. You don't have to be in one. This isn't 1930.

Finally, I'd say work on your people skills/communication skills. Learning how to get along with others is vitally important – good manners, eye contact, listening to what people say, etc.

Oh, and learn to speak well. Eloquent people, with a clear RP accent, are listened to. I'm not saying "talk posh," but like it or not, inarticulate people with strong regional accents get less respect. It may be unfair, but it's true.

bybask · 26/06/2023 14:15

If you want a life partner, choose them wisely!

Everything in life becomes harder when you are in an unhappy relationship and don't have a supportive partner.

Understand yourself first, get therapy, then decide who to settle down with. It's not a race!

And if they show their true colours in your early 30s, don't be tempted to stay with them because you're worried you're "too old" and won't have time to find someone new or have kids if you do. It's not true and you have so much longer than you think. Run for the hills! Life is too short to not trust your gut and end up in an unhappy relationship.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 26/06/2023 14:34

Study business studies or accountancy and start your own business rather than working for someone it's the only way to build wealth

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 26/06/2023 14:34

Start working out to be strong not for what you look like - your back won't last long if you don't look after your core!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 26/06/2023 14:35

Learn what boundaries are and how to communicate them

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