Things They Did Not Teach You in School but I Will as Your Big Sister

If you are like me, there comes a point when adulthood quietly taps you on the shoulder and says, “Alright, it’s your turn now.” No syllabus. No marking scheme. Just decisions. And suddenly, everyone expects you to know what you are doing.

So consider this the advice they did not teach you in school. Not because teachers did not care, but because life is messy and complicated and does not fit neatly into a lesson plan.

Pull up a chair. Let’s talk.

Every Decision Has a Price

One thing I wish someone told me earlier is this. Every decision has a price. Not a moral price. A practical one.

Taking academics seriously from high school has a price. You give up some free time, some weekends, maybe even a little fun. Choosing not to take it seriously also has a price. It might show up later when opportunities require grades you do not have.

Going to college has a price. So does trade school. So does entrepreneurship. So does choosing a nine to five.

Your job is not to pick the “best” path. Your job is to assess your situation, what you want, and what you are willing to give up.

That is the part nobody says out loud.

Before you sign up for anything, especially loans, you need to sit with yourself and answer that honestly. If you have not figured that out yet, do not take out loans to go to college just because it feels like the next step. Debt is patient. It will wait for you.

There Is Nothing Wrong With a Nine-to-Five

Let me say this clearly, loudly, and without shame. There is nothing wrong with a nine to five.

The system is designed that way. It is easier to follow. There is more structure. More support. More predictability. For many people, that is peace.

Entrepreneurship is also good. But it comes with sacrifices that people do not always talk about. Inconsistent income. No paid leave. No safety net unless you build one. Long hours that do not clock out just because the sun sets.

Neither path is better. They are just different.

Figure out what you are willing to give up and stick to it. Switching paths is allowed, but drifting without intention is expensive.

Education Still Moves People Up

Despite all its flaws, education is still one of the most funded and accessible ways to move up socially. Especially higher degrees.

Trade professions are also in demand and pay well. But they often come with long hours and higher workplace accidents. Some are life-threatening. The autonomy is real. So is the risk.

Again, it comes back to sacrifice. What are you willing to trade comfort, time, safety, or certainty for?

There is no shame in choosing stability. There is also no shame in choosing risk. Just be honest about the cost.

Grades Matter Until They Don’t

Let’s talk about GPA. Academics are not everything in college, but depending on the company or role you want, they can matter.

I know two people at the same company. One marketed their first-class degree heavily in interviews. The other leaned into two years of direct experience in a similar role. Both got hired. Different strategies. Same outcome.

If you are not the brightest cookie in the room, skill up. Diversify yourself. Build something tangible. After your first two years out of college, most people will not ask about your GPA. They will ask what you can do. The work eventually speaks louder than the transcript.

Prestige Sometimes Matters. Ask If You Care

The novelty of your degree and the prestige of your institution matters in some spaces and not at all in others.

Most people will not care. Some rooms absolutely will.

The question is not whether prestige matters. The question is whether the spaces you want to be in value it. If they do, plan accordingly. If they do not, do not stress yourself chasing validation that does nothing for your goals.

The Job Market Is Unkind. Start Anyway.

The job market is rough. Everyone is doing something. And if you are not, you will be left behind.

Start now. Build a portfolio from school assignments. Volunteer. Cold email. Cold call. Use LinkedIn. Network awkwardly. Do it scared. Do it imperfectly.

The reward for good work is often more work. That does not mean low-quality work is acceptable. Sometimes, more work is how you build momentum, income, or credibility. Especially when it aligns with your passions or pays the bills.

On days when my bed is feeling a little extra nice, I remind myself that future me will appreciate the effort.

Passion Is Not a Strategy by Itself

Chasing your passions can pay off. But it usually takes longer. More time. More effort.

If you do not have the time or energy for that season of life, do not choose a career based solely on passion. Many people pick stable, even mundane jobs to fund the lives they actually enjoy.

Accounting pays for art supplies. Engineering funds travel. Teaching supports community work.

What are your non negotiables? Can you afford, financially and emotionally, to chase your dream right now?

Dreams do not disappear just because you take a practical route.

Show Your Work

Here is the part nobody likes to hear. The people who get noticed are often the ones who show their work. Closed mouths do not get fed.

Good work does get acknowledged. Sometimes it just takes longer if nobody knows you are doing it. Visibility matters. Not arrogance. Visibility.

Speak up. Share your wins. Apply anyway. Ask questions. Advocate for yourself.

Nobody is coming to tap you on the shoulder and announce that you are ready. You decide that.

Final Thoughts From Your Big Sister

Life is not about making perfect decisions. It is about making informed ones.

Assess your situation. Know what you want. Be honest about what you are willing to give up. And remember that whatever path you choose, you are allowed to change your mind.

Just do not stay stuck waiting for permission.

You already have more than you think.

Keep Being Liv-tastic