I’m Reaching My Mid 30s. Here’s What I Wish I’d Done Differently in My 20s.

To set myself up for success from the start

Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash

When I finished university at 24, I thought I had all the time in the world to figure things out.

I blinked. A decade passed.

Looking back, there are a few key things I could’ve done differently in my 20s to be further ahead today.

1. Not screw up exams to attend a party

I studied at a practical university but wanted to switch to a theoretical one. The propaedeutic certificate was my entry ticket.

To get the certificate, I had to pass two resits. If I failed, the next shot would be a year later.

I made some poor choices — like dating someone who:

• Didn’t care about studying
• Loved substances
• Lived to party

Their friend threw a massive party. I didn’t care to go. But I let myself be pressured. “You’re my girlfriend, everyone will hassle me if you don’t show up!

Spoiler: no one cared.

I went, and — as expected — screwed up my exam.