7 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE YOU ARE 18

Written by Dolly Murdoch.

 1. You’ve got to have watched a lot of coming-of-age films

What’s incredible about films is their power to reflect and change systems and traditions. Films illustrating youth have conditioned teenage world since the start of pop culture, and this is my personal list of films that reflect the best our community as adolescents (suggestions are welcome). You surely can learn something from each one of them. 

2. Accomplish a little dream (or whim) you had 

It could be skipping school/home for a day, travelling to some place you fancied a lot, going to your favourite band’s concert, getting to talk to someone really important... Mine, as an example, was travelling to Liverpool when I was a 13 y.o., and doing the Magical Mystery Tour. It meant the world to me. 

This will make a mark on you forever, trust me. 

3. Listen to your father/mother’s old records 

You can’t even imagine how much you don’t know about your parents. You’d get surprised of their taste on music*, so go steal their forgotten vinyls and cassettes. I discovered The Smiths and REM in this way. 

*If it turns out that they actually not have a really good taste, I’m sure you have an uncle, elder cousin or even a sibling you can learn from. 

4. Enlighten someone younger than you about something 

It’s the best proof that you’re growing up. Teach your younger sibling or cousin to ride a bike, give him insightful older-person knowledge and take him to places he’ll never forget before someone does it wrongly. 

5. Watch/read/do something not suitable for your age

The beginning of maturation is sudden, and it happens thanks to some changing experience. I know that attending some +18 place, watching a movie with violence or sex included in it (if both is possible, much better) or reading an adult book may not sound as the most correct advices, but they’re necessary to be done. I’m not doubtful that every adult keeps a memory of his personal own.

6. Do stuff with your grandparents 

And by ‘doing stuff’ I don’t mean visiting and talking to them. I mean doing real things, spending time, sharing hobbies and thoughts. Believe me when I say your grandmother is way more interesting than what you think. Go to places, watch TV and films, cook together, find out about their youth... Teach them how a computer or DVD player runs and let them give you the best advices in the world. They’re your most faithful source of knowledge!

For your consideration: Looking at old pictures and commenting on them together is an awesome thing to do.

7. Make a plan for summer and beyond 

It’s easy to feel a little lost once high school ends, but if you’ve made a plan for the future you’ll still have direction. Here are some suggestions: follow the Summer Tour of a band you like as the most loyal groupie would do, travel through Spain by car or bike with your closest friends, take the InterRail... Experience a true adventure!

(And most important, always be proud of yourself.)

So what do you think about it? Which 7 things do you think every under-age should do?