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"You'll miss school one day!"... But that’s not how it went

Nora Berenyi3 min read
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"You'll miss school one day!"... But that’s not how it went — Family
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You’ll miss school one day!

You’ll miss school one day!
Many probably feel this way, but I definitely don’t—and I know quite a few others who wouldn’t want to relive the daily stress of tests and quizzes. I always thought there’d come a moment in life when the "real world" hits and I’d build a time machine to go back to my high school or college days.

Both were unforgettable experiences despite the challenges, but I love adult life way more and honestly, I wouldn’t want to sit in a classroom again. At least not in the traditional way.

Boys like the quiet girls!

Boys like the quiet girls!
I was never flashy, but among friends I had a lively style they loved. Still, my parents often told me to be reserved, smile gently, and not be too loud because that’s what boys like. Looking back as an adult, I’m baffled by two things.

Why should I be someone else just to be liked by a boy? And what’s wrong with being cheerful and loving to laugh out loud? Score one for me—boys have always preferred my true, slightly louder self. I’ve mellowed over time, but inside, there’s still a wild, fun-loving girl running the show.

You won’t get far without a degree!

You won’t get far without a degree!
In my family, earning a degree was a must, with the usual line that you never know when it might come in handy. My parents belong to a generation for whom a degree was a real privilege and the key to creating the life they dreamed of.

I don’t think it’s useless either, but honestly, it’s more the many college parties and experiences that make me say this, because I don’t live off what I learned at university. Still, I run my own company, have faced some tough blows, and love my work. I truly believe you can achieve great success without a degree if you put in the work and energy.

The real love awaits at university!

The real love awaits at university!
I remember my mom’s eerie warning when I moved into the dorm: if you don’t find your true love at university, it’ll be really tough later. So I started my first year with some pressure, diligently searching for the future husband.

I did find love, but looking back, I’m grateful it wasn’t the one. Because yes, love can find us after university too—actually, I think it finds us best when we already know who we want and what we want from life. Some figure this out during college, others later. So that’s another thing my parents got wrong.

Smart people learn from others’ mistakes; fools learn from their own

Smart people learn from others’ mistakes; fools learn from their own
This was often thrown at me when I was about to do something reckless—getting my first tattoo, drinking too much at parties, or hanging out with people my parents thought weren’t good influences. But I was stubborn and dove into it all, becoming the world’s dumbest yet bravest and most experienced person.

I’ve never regretted my tattoos because they hold meaning, hangovers taught me to hydrate properly, and bad friends showed me the way to good ones. Most importantly, they taught me to stand up for myself. So yeah, I think I won this one!
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