As I was going through my WordPress feed today, I noticed how many university students are following my site and whose sites I actively read. Although that phase of life passed not too long ago (I won’t tell you how long though so don’t even think about doing the math), it was fun just go back in time and write this letter to my younger self. Just for some background, I spent close to six years in Japan. Two of my university years were spent alone but everything preceding was under my father’s watchful eye. I smile as I think back to my experience because for the first two years, I was on the dean’s list. After that, I was on my own and living the wild life. What that meant was quite a lot of partying, back to back jobs to sustain my lifestyle and exploring every corner in Tokyo whenever possible- after all, I had to make up for lost time! Don’t even ask what happened to my grades… you really don’t want to know!
To all my mama readers, join in on the fun and tell me what you would tell your younger self!

Responsibility
Michelle, chill girl. No seriously, chill! I know you think that you are so grown because you’ve finally moved into your own apartment and pay your own bills, but growing up brings a lot of responsibility which you are definitely not ready for. Enjoy this transition period, get your feet wet but don’t ever show your dad that you know better than he does because you don’t. You are technically still using his money for your bills regardless of what you tell yourself. Also, just being out of your parent’s house does not give you any more wisdom than you had when living at home, so don’t rush any decisions.
Work
You say you want a job? Please don’t make me laugh… I know that having your own source of income is a plus and it will definitely reduce the amount of ‘advice’ your dad gets to shove down your throat, but really, just focus on your studies and use your free time to follow your passion. There will come a day when you will be stuck in an office, answering to someone who knows you as just a number. As much as the month end pay-check will feel liberating, the sweat, gruelling hours and office politics will remind you of the time you got to sleep in every morning. Your professors aren’t fairy godmothers, but they definitely wouldn’t care less if you didn’t show up. Your boss on the other hand….
Money
Girl, you don’t need that fancy apartment with a heater in the bathroom, I mean, that’s why there is hot water! Those newly installed hardwood floors and fancy ‘key access control’ to the building are just a waste of money – even the mafia doesn’t care that you exist. If they did, they would probably give you food and money (gotta love Tokyo!). Honestly though, paying a little extra for all those added benefits will definitely require more cash … and where is that going to come from? We’ve already discussed the job thing… just relax for now if you can. Work to save up for something special, not to waste money on unnecessary items because that allowance won’t be there forever! Just remember though, if you are low on cash and feeling anxious, it is NOT a good idea to order boxes of pizza with the last few pennies you have even if you need to drown your sorrows. Money does not grow on trees and even if it did, you’re surrounded by buildings!

Classes
I know you think that you will avoid any job that requires math, but not liking something is not a good enough reason not to learn it. In any job you do, you will need to know the basics… kinda like needing to know how to cook and clean for survival. So please, learn math, statistics and marketing especially since you plan to be your own boss one day! While you’re at it, don’t get your friends to write your assignments, don’t plagiarise and do not miss any classes. They may not seem relevant now – and they may never be – but you would be surprised at how often you will need to refer back to something you learnt in school. Even just knowing more than the average person would give you so much exposure and recognition if you choose to work in a large organisation!
Relationships
Ok, let me take a step back before we discuss this one because I know how touchy this is for you. Are you listening? You will not marry any of those guys who flirt with you in the bar, you will not build a family with that friend of yours that ghosts you for days on end, but most importantly, you will not care about any of these relationships that seem so real to you now. Don’t forget that you are studying in a country where you do not plan to start your life, so what makes you think you will leave with a husband? Enjoy the moments with your friends, travel, explore, shop… What is it that young adults do in your time anyway? Oh you don’t really know? Then find out and do it!

I know I sound like a boring old lady, but trust me, I know how things will turn out and only want what’s best for you. You’re a smart girl so please don’t make stupid choices! Lastly, hold on to your amazing friends because they are the ones who will be with you through the exiting and sad moments regardless of where in the world you will each be.
Lovingly,
Your older self
***
I’ll stop here before I get too carried away. If you liked it, do let me know and there just might be a part 2 🙂
This is really good advice and though-provoking too. Thank you for sharing. It’s dope you lived in Japan too.
I am a university student too and I really enjoyed reading your experience and that little bits of advice. I surely wanna read the part 2. Can’t wait for it. 😍😄😊
Hahaha thanks dear. 🙂 How has your experience been so far?
Your welcome. Actually I am in my second year of my course currently but it’s been quite amazing and I feel university is a place where you get to learn the real things of life. (what you should hold on or what you should let go) 😊😄🥰
Lol yup it really is! Gosh I miss that time, but I think I like life a whole lot more now because obviously I was a lot more immature and didn’t know what the heck I was doing! I’m glad you’re enjoying 😊
I am one of those university students that you follow haha! I love your point about responsibility, a lot of university students do partly live out of parents money!
Yeah lol I hope you found this useful!!
Why were you living in Tokyo? I love the point you raised on just because you do not like something does not mean you should not learn it. I cannot relate harder. Haha! And I told my sister about work – to take it easy because once it really starts, it is all she would get. Awesome advice in all, and you do not sound like a boring lady at all. More like mature lady who has figured it out, at least most of it.
Aww thanks Micah 😊 I’ll take the compliment! Good advice you gave your sister … I dunno what it is about earning money that makes sacrificing our free time so enticing! Do you have regrets besides not learning some stuff?
I suppose it is the unreal promise that we can do all the things we want later once we have the money. But that never happens actually. I do not have regrets, sure I could have done some things differently, but I am not a fan of regret as an emotion. It is something you carry but it does not serve you moving forward. Better to use whatever it was that did not go right as inspiration to be better than regret it. What do you think?
Agreed! Try and tell that to the heart though
Forgot to answer your question lol! My dad was working there and I was a minor so I went with him. By the time he left Id started university and decided to stay
Must have been cool to be close to so much ramen.
Hahahah well…. I preferred udon so yeah 😛
Totally agree about taking math!!! If I could do it over I would take those “hard” classes I spent so much time avoiding. I would also try out other majors…see what else seems interesting!
I see we both have regrets 😅 Just remember that all the blessings in your life Most likely wouldn’t be here if you chose a different path 😉
Wow it’s really cool that you lived in Japan- I’ve always wanted to go there even if it’s just for a few weeks to visit! As a university student I totally agree on all of these especially about saving for something special. I always try to save wherever I can so that in the end I can use that money on something I really need/want.
That’s great! I’m so glad you are way more mature than I ever was 😅 you def have proven that so many times. Thanks for reading 💖