in 2 months im turning 17, and after that, 18!! its scary!! it sounds so serious!! i dont even know how to drive yet!! i genuinely cant imagine myself as an adult, i thought i'd be dead by 17!!! i still look and feel like im 14 and and- responsibilities? how???? how do i handle that?? is there like, some fucking class on how do be a grown-up?? when is too late to start driving? when is too late to move out of your parents house??? i can barely handle school as it is. how the FUCK am i gonna handle having rent, a job, AND college classes?????????? when do i take my sat? nobody at my school has told me ANYTHING about that other than i need it for college!! i feel like everyone is in the know but me, like there was some pamphlet the entire world got, but i was absent that day!
I'm scared of growing up as well!! I'm 15 and turning 16 in 3 months. I understand your worries because I have no clue when to start driving or when to start working.
Adult advice from an adult that rushed into it:
- Do not go to college unless you ABSOLUTELY know what to do, college is too expensive to just do it out of social pressure
- Watch videos on how to budget, it'll be a life saver
- If you are comfortable with it, I'd suggest getting a small job now.
- Watch videos on how to do interviews for the first time.
- ALWAYS KNOW HOW MUCH A JOB PAYS BEFORE GOING IN!!!! Beginner jobs love exploiting young people.
- When starting out the lowest you should let yourself be paid is 13 USD an hour (or higher, as far as I'm aware Texas is pretty expensive to live in)
- Watch videos on how renting apartment works in your state.
The best way I can put it. Is start small. Something easily achievable. For example try getting your permit first. The easiest way I got mines way using the premade questions and answered all of them. And wrote down the questions I got wrong with the correct answers and then memorized those. I kept doing that until all sections I answered correctly.
Next one, is looking for jobs. You’re still young and have time to explore areas you might be interested in. It doesn’t hurt apply different areas of work. But also don’t hesitate to quit if you don’t like it and if it feels toxic. It can also help build your resume. You’ll prob be only working part time anyways.
Another one would be step out your comfort zone as much as you can. Since you’re 17 join clubs and find something that you might enjoy. Talk to trusted teachers or advisors about your futures to see what their insight is and take suggestions, while also doing your own research. This helps you find yourself but also not feel overwhelmed when time is come.
I also suggest opening a savings acc with Capitol one. If you can put whatever you can. Even if it’s $5 a month or $10. However you’re more comfortable and what you can put. That way it helps you in the future if you need it.
And if you’re looking forward to college, work in fast food chains or work that helps support you to school. The ones that provides scholarships. Because I know there’s plenty out there. But there’s terms and conditions so look into those.
If you have free time, take practice SAT online if you can. However don’t stress yourself to the point you’re too overwhelmed to do anything. Remember that even though you’re getting older you can’t enjoy anything because of the future. You can always find time for yourself just set a day for responsibilities.
You made it this far, you strong enough to continue and come out on top.
I understand you so bad, you'll never be alone on this, trust me!
I turned 18 last month and a couple years ago at 16 I was a completely different person. So although I live in a different country and can't really give you any practical advice on your SATs and the driving process and all that, I can just tell you it's going to be okay. It will be new and a lot of it will be so so different, but not necessarily bad.
I think the fact that you once didn't believe you'd make it to this age yet did is really beautiful because it shows that you made a change within yourself and kept going. And that ability to adapt and stay positive and learning is literally ALL you will need!
When I turned 17 and started learning how to drive I literally felt horrible. After my first lesson my instructor shouted at me and I literally started sobbing the moment I stepped into my house. Now, my driving test is next week and I feel more confident than ever. So I can tell you from experience that all these big things seem impossible until you just do them, and keep doing them until it's not hard anymore, and then you're just like huh I just did that. It's an amazing feeling!!
Sending you hugs and best of luck 
if it helps, most people in their 20s don't have their life all figured out either ! we're all just learning from our experiences and growing, going at our own pace. i also remember how scary being 18 sounded before i became that age, but it's honestly not that different. i definitely understand the fear of growing up, especially if it seems not long ago you were young .. time definitely flies. i don't have specific advice to give at the moment but i agree with the other comments and as you grow, you'll feel a bit better about it, even if you still are unsure of what to do! :D <33 i'm proud of you that you made it to 17 and wish the best going forward
I’m only 17 myself so I can’t speak on it much, but I want to reassure you that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. Most people don’t have it figured out. I don’t have it figured out. There’s no cut-off age for getting a driver’s permit or license, getting a job, or going to college. In fact, many adults will wait on doing some of those things or even never do those things! Rest assured, you can go at your own pace and do these things whenever you’re ready.
If you’re going to be a junior in high school this year you will likely take the SAT on whatever day your school has scheduled it, look on their website or calendar to find the scheduled dates. You take it completely free on the scheduled day first, then you can retake it later on if you want to get a higher score (but you’ll have to schedule it and pay, the College Board website or your school should tell you how to do that!)
For SAT practice, you can take practice tests online and watch YouTube videos covering topics in it and how to answer well. Don’t stress over the SAT too much though, you can always retake it and some colleges don’t even care about SAT score when you apply.
For jobs, look on YouTube for videos on how to do job interviews. Then look at what places are hiring near you, usually they’ll have information on their website or you can ask someone in person (an employee or employer/manager) for a job application (if you have the confidence to ask in person) Looking up how to set up a little resume can also help. You can add volunteer work you’ve done or small jobs to it if you have that kind of experience.
For getting your driver’s license, you can look into whatever driving programs they offer in your state/country. Look online or at your school. You can take classes in person or do an online course, and practice physical driving with your parent or guardian. There’s no deadline for when you have to get your permit/license btw. I didn’t get my permit until I was 16 (almost 17) and I probably won’t get my full license until I’m 18. Just practice and go at your own pace, and you can take the test for your license whenever you’re ready.
Overall, don’t stress too much. You’ll grow and learn how to handle these things. It will take time, I promise you no one has it figured out the second they turn 18, but over time you will learn. :)
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