Within the space of just a few weeks, I've not only reached
the grand age of 21, but also made the transition from graduand (whatever that
was) to a fully-fledged, ridiculous hat-wearing graduate.
In honour of these two landmark life events, I decided it
was as good a time as any to take stock of my relatively short time on this planet,
and to ponder over what exactly I’ve discovered in the course of my two decades.
So without further ado, here they
are, 21 things I’ve learned in 21 years:
1) Studying for a degree in English
Literature may leave you with less than propitious employment prospects, but it
will however mean you know how to use super fancy [wanky] words. Like
propitious, for example.
2) When choosing a university, the
one that tugs on your heart strings a little and makes you feel like it could
be home should be your immediate first choice because one day, it will be.
3) People who proudly profess to
have "never read any Harry Potter" should be regarded with suspicion. DON’T YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT?
4) Pets are overrated. There, I said
it. To quote a very wise man, “You take your soul-searching
labrador for a walk and a chat. I'll just watch
a bit of telly.”
5) There is no faith in mankind that
can’t be destroyed by reading the majority of comments underneath a YouTube
video.
6) You should be able to have a good
laugh at yourself, not just at other people. It will improve your levels of
confidence and number of friends no end.
7) Homesickness varies hugely from
person to person. And even if you’re one of the unfortunate ones who find
themselves consumed by it like a dementor’s kiss which doesn’t ever seem likely
to pass or fade, it
will.
8) Likewise, heartache.
9) Nightclubs can be the scene of
some of the most fun you’ve ever had. They can just as easily be the scene of
the least.
10) Flakiness is one of the worst
traits to possess. If you’ve said you’ll do something for someone, or turn up
somewhere, bloody well do it.
11) You can never have too many
coats.
12) There’s no such thing as ‘not
being able to cook'. Everyone can, just some better than others.
13) If you’re one of the lesser
skilled in the culinary department: pasta. Always, pasta.
14) Admittedly stolen from Caitlin
Moran, but a life mantra I wholeheartedly sign up to: "Nine times
out of ten, you probably aren’t having a nervous breakdown – you just need a
cup of tea and a biscuit."
15) The book is
always better than
the film.
16) Ladies: an eyebrow pencil will
revolutionise your life.
17) When asked for it, it is your
duty to give the best possible advice to a friend. It is also your duty to
avoid saying I told you so when they inevitably ignore what you say, and do
what they were going to do all along.
18) There’s no music like souuuul
music.
19) You should take lots of pictures of being
young and wild and free because one day you’ll be old and…wrinkled.
20) There’s a saying that is a
favourite of all Scottish nans: “
Whit's fur ye'll no go past
ye." Despite my natural cynicism, I really believe this.
21) At 21, you still have a whole lot
to learn.
NB: I owe a debt to the brilliant writer Ian Martin, whose original article inspired this post and can be found
here.
