Adults of reddit, what advice would you give to any teenagers out there?

Take a look at your peers. Those people are just as clueless and in the dark about life as you are. Take any criticism or advice they give you with a huge grain of salt. Think for yourself, but think critically. Examine your prejudices and try to figure out why you think the way you do. Don't be afraid to change your opinions if you get new information, but make sure that information is factually sound before you do.
— psmylie

Use birth control (the pill, condoms). I watched an unplanned pregnancy nearly bankrupt my 26 year old brother and he'd already been in the work force for 4 years. Babies aren't cheap and your parents might not help you out. Don't get into debt you can't handle. If you take on debt (student loan, car payment, mortgage) then make sure you have a way to pay the monthly minimum. If you can't even do that, then it's not worth it.
— forman98

Give a shit. So many young people think it's cool to not care and be ironic about everything. Keep not caring and you'll be 30 in a flash with nothing to show for you life and no future ahead of you. Care. Care about the people you love. Care about the things that you love. Be passionate. Get excited. There's nothing exciting about hipster ironic cynicism. Give a shit about life and you'll enjoy it.
— Schmabadoop

Don’t waste your time on shitty “friends”. Good friends don’t make you work for it and you will never question a friendship with a true friend.
— BlueberrySpaceMuffin

Ask your crush out...do it now...don't hint, flirt or beat around the bush. Tell they you like them and want to know them better. Spending a lifetime wondering is a poison unto your soul.
— grokku909

Learn how to communicate with the opposite sex. It's not that hard. Practice makes perfect.
— flipping_birds

You're not too old for anything. Matter fact you're young af. If your age ends with "teen", you're not "getting old." Give a fuck about school or work or your passion. Matter of fact, find a passion. Do not give a fuck about other people's opinion. If you want to wear that pink shirt, go for it. If you're new to the gym, nobody is looking at you. People only care about themselves. What's going through your mind most of the time? Your life right? Thats what everyone else is thinking about. Not you. You do you. Save money. Even if its a little bit, save $5 dollars a paycheck or $10, you'll realize how fast it adds up. Live at home as long as you can even if you're parents are annoying the life out of yoy. Bills are not a joke. Keep your comments to yourself and mooch mooch mooch until youre able to support yourself whether that be via school or trade or something worth it. Learn your alcohol limits so you dont embarrass yourselves when you get to college or when you're out drinking with friends the first time. Stop waiting for your life to start. It already has. Have fuckin fun! Just be smart abouy it.
— defcrazy

College is a whole new ballgame. No matter what your high school life is like, you’ll soon have the ability transform. Be whoever you want. And college is really best experienced by young people- it’s a huge pain in the ass once you have adult obligations. So fucking study and go to college. Doesn’t have to be an impressive one. Get out and live.
— 10000BadIdeas

Don't have kids until you are financially sound. Can't tell you how many times I see people treating their kids like unwanted luggage. Also if you go to college make sure it's a degree worth getting and not some liberal arts degree. Most adults are just shittier versions of themselves from high school, do not give them your time of day and stay focused on what you think success is.
— WrldsOkayestBartendr

Don't care too much about dating and romantic relationships. I know the first relationship or two you are in seem like the most important thing in the entire world, and some people alter their lives to make them work. They're not that important and you shouldn't change courses. You'll change so much in the next ten years, meet so many people, and overall be so much happier once you've dated multiple people, and know what you really want. Think of dating in your younger years as fun practice so that when you're older and know what you want and who you are, you'll be the best you and able to meet that person of your dreams.
— Guy_Onthe_Internet

Top 10 Answers