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Mitch Harrison

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What should I really do with my youth? I'm 18, and I want to really learn. Advice from any adults out there?

I am a senior in high school, just two weeks from graduation. If I end up going to college, I know that I definitely want to take a year or so off. I want to really learn things first hand. I want to see the world and study cultures and people. If anyone out there has been there and can reflect back, I would love to hear from you. What should I study? Where should I go? What should I really think about? I want to give the rest of my life a boost and give myself a solid foundation in my youth. Thank you in advance for your help.

Topics: coming of age inspiring youth wisdom youth
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  • Richard Horowitz

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    May 31 2012: Well, I was young and hungry and about to leave that place
    When just as I was leavin', well she looked me in the face
    I said "You must know the answer."
    "She said, "No but I'll give it a try."
    And to this very day we've been livin' our way
    And here is the reason why

    We blew up our T.V. threw away our paper
    Went to the country, built us a home
    Had a lot of children, fed 'em on peaches
    They all found Jesus on their own -John Prine

  • Michael Howden

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    May 31 2012: Make the most of life by doing the things you love. Be thankful for what you have.
    Gather great friends around you and share common experiences. Record your memories.
    Be open to new experiences and embraces the challenges you face, for you will be faced with them.

  • Matthew Falkenstein

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    May 30 2012: When I was 18, I took several road trips, including cross country, in a 1972 Oldsmobile. 30 years later I still think about those road trips. But if you do that, stay off the interstates. America can be found on the smaller roads.

    I've found Dishwasher Pete to have some interesting stories to tell about America from experiences he had while working his his way across the country as a dishwasher. Maybe it will ring true for you. http://www.dishwasherpete.com/ . You can hear him on podcasts of This American Life. Good luck.
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    Jessica Wang

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    May 30 2012: You are just 18-year-old,you have lots of time to spend,you can make mistakes,so called MISTAKES CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS.so don't be hurry.
    trying get some part-time jobs,taking some lessons that you are interested in.finding a target for yourself,then,making effort for that!
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    Mark-maria Agatemor

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    May 30 2012: Hello Mitch!
    It is what you know that is your greatest Asset. Equally too, it is what you do not know that is your greatest risk.
    What we have to learn, we learn by doing. For intellectual virtue owes both its birth and its growth to teaching, while moral growth comes about as a result of habit. Take note of this; IF YOU PLANT LAZINESS, YOU WILL REAP STAGNATION. Hard work pays. You should seek the truth about issues, not opinions which can be sometimes be true. At every stage, ask yourself, WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF THIS, WHY AM I DOING THIS, WHY DO I WANT TO DO THIS? Questions like this bring before you knowledge and truth. The 'good' is the formal object of the will. seek it with love. And if you are a Christian, immerse yourself in his love, that is the love of God. BE A SOUL OF PRAYER!!!. May the blessing of almighty God - Father, Son and the Holy spirit be with you, Amen

  • Mark Sato

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    May 30 2012: Mitch:
    Fill your head and your hands. People and governments may be able to physically take everything away from you and imprison you. However, the ideas, thoughts, knowledge and memories placed in your mind will be yours forever. Use your hands to build yourself and others a better world to live in despite the potential tyranny of others.
    Always live free!

  • flexman feng

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    May 30 2012: hello!

  • flexman feng

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    May 30 2012: You are really young.Hope somebody help you.
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    Helen Hupe 30+

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    May 30 2012: Don't be afraid to admit that you can make a mistake.

  • Nick Horne

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    May 29 2012: Although I am not much older then you, I’m 21 now I feel like I was in your situation when I was 18 and just graduating High School. I had no clue what I wanted to do, if I even wanted to go to College not for lack of motivation but because I had not clue what area I wanted to Major in. The most important thing for me was to stay true to my beliefs and find something I was passionate about and that was hard(I’m still trying to find this). All of my friends and people I knew were simply picking major based on job outlook or what their parents wanted them to peruse. I could not bring myself to do this so after attending three different colleges I finally found one that fit for me, in Italy of all paces. I am spending my last two college years in Florence Italy attending an American university that has a partnership with a college in Florence. I am studying Digital Media and although I still do not know what I want to do when I graduate next spring I know I’ll figure it out. For me the most important thing was to stay true my core belies and have faith in some type of fate that everything would work out. Don't stop looking for your passion it's a relentless search (at least for me) but I know when I find it everything will be ok.
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    John Dougherty

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    May 29 2012: Learning is how we grow, so I recommend that in everything you do. Remember that you can learn something from every person but not everything from any one person. There are no gurus who have all the answers. You are already open to asking questions and that is admirable. So many people seem to know everything and "I don't know" is seldom uttered. You are the future Mitch. I'm glad you haven't formed all your answers yet. That gives me great hope. Good luck to you...
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    Mireille Chéry

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    May 29 2012: That's quite refreshing to have a 18yrs old, who do want to learn and become better already at this great age. You will go far in life, that's for sure and my wishing for you.

    I really believe that you are on the right path already, keep asking yourself questions, keep learning about whom you are and whom you want to become. Always, look inside and listen to whats your heart desire, specially if someone else want you to do something else, if you really believe that you should do something that's going to help you and others in the same time, you got a winner...don't listen to the "no sayer", and most of all, believe in yourself.

    If you believe in GOD and none of your friends does, that's your business. Always do what you want to do, even if you have to loose friends over it...because at the end, you'll be glad you did because you want to do it, and not because someone was trying to stop you, and you listen to them instead of yourself.

    Walk tall, keep your head high up and have no fear...it's only 4 letter words!

    If you feel in your belly that a situation or someone is going to manipulaite or intimidate you...walk away from them.

    Be generous, kind, smart, alert, beautiful, respectful and respected....don't ever ignore a homeless person, always say hello, even if you don't have money to give them...acknowledgement at times, worth more then a dollor!!

    Peace and keep it up...don't do drugs, it's not worth it!!

    • flexman feng

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      May 30 2012: . Always do what you want to do, even if you have to loose friends over it.//But I will feel lonely.How can I do with lonely.
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        Mireille Chéry

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        May 30 2012: Better be alone, then being with bad company!!....Get some new friends, that will accept whom you are and want to help you become whom you want to be.

        We are never alone, really!!
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        Mireille Chéry

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        May 30 2012: Glad to meet you to dear Flexman!!

  • Nathan Scoville

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    May 29 2012: Its actually pretty simple. Do what interests you most. You only have one life and the las thing you want is regrets. If you like music, play music. If you like writing, than write.

  • Eric Hazelle

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    May 28 2012: Read! Read, read, read read! Figure out how many hours a day you give to TV or video games; can you cut that time by 1/4 or maybe 1/2 to become engaged with a good book? Sooner or later a book will capature your heart and mind and you'll be off on an infinite path. For me it was history, but also science, theology, philosophy and wisdom literature. (Can't stand politics, and can't really get into fiction, which is not to say these things would be wrong for you.) Best wishes; remember, life is a process not an event. Life unfolds; be patient and watch it unfold for you with surprising turns and directions.

  • Nestor Tendido

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    May 28 2012: Your 18, hyper and still have a long way to go. Your concern about missing out on what interest you. Do you realize that if you read what you've said here and think about it, you might see what I am already seeing as far as the kind of specialty that you should be pursuing in college. You can kill two birds with one stone.

    You like traveling and culture interest you. There are courses and programs in college that can provide you the education plus the experience of travel and exposure to different cultures. Even doctors and Geologist do a lot of traveling. You have to think first about your passion and what's out there that you can relate it with your subject in question.

    Even the military can provide you with the education and travel at the same time and the good part of it, is that it's all free. No I am not a recruiter but I am a Veteran and the benefits are great when you are in and even when you decide to go out. No I am not saying to you to join the military but if you did join, go Air Force or the Navy. Their technical expertise are sought worldwide plus you can travel and have a place to live and the best of all again is that it's all free.

    What ever you decide on, the main thing, is to think about your passion. Think about the cost and the time it will take you to get there...then think about the level of your ability. Balance it out and you should have an idea of what you should be pursuing...Good Luck.



    There are so many options for you to decide on. What to think about is the financial aspect of it all and the burden of time.
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    Michael Moore 500+

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    TED AttendeeTEDx OrganizerAssociateTED Live member
    May 28 2012: I wish I could add more to the fine comments above. First, unless you have a specific skill and time schedule you need to meet. it's okay to delay higher ed. It's not okay to delay your education. If you are a strong student, keep up your skills (an iPad & Kahn Academy make that easy). Travel and figure out how to earn your way...and if you have the nerve for it, please travel outside the US to experience the world. I would say by just asking the question you have above, you're more than half way to learning what you need to learn.
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      May 31 2012: Are you 'the' Michael Moore? If so, thanks. I read the book "Deadly Spin" and WOW you are very needed!
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        Michael Moore 500+

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        TED AttendeeTEDx OrganizerAssociateTED Live member
        May 31 2012: No, I'm not "the" Michael Moore. Sorry! :)
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          Debra Smith 200+

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          May 31 2012: I am sorry Mike! I am delighted that you are here and I did not intend to diminish your contribution! You are THE Mike Moore to us!
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        Helen Hupe 30+

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        May 31 2012: Hi Debra...Good to see you back (:>) My youngest daughter backpacked through Europe after college that was back in the 1980s
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          Debra Smith 200+

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          May 31 2012: How was that experience for you? My eldest son went to Turkey on a Rotary exchange when he was 16 (he had finished high school and I did not want him to enter university too early). Everyone thought I was a terrible mother for allowing it and they wanted to know if I had seen 'Midnight express". Most expressed that they would never have let their chld go. Oh well, it worked out very well for my son.

  • Aisha Alpman

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    May 27 2012: I would say, at age 20 I have learnt that journeying through life is allowing yourself and others to "Live and let live". None of us can tell you what path to take. These are all ideas. Live your life, take a chance: seeing the world may be great but a year at university doing something interesting might be just as good. All of these things are really easy to say but extremely hard to put into action. Accept that you will make mistakes and the "not-so-right" choices but you learn from them. Be honest with yourself and others.

    School, travelling, your interactions with the people and world around you form apart of that foundation. Make it a good journey by just travelling it with your best foot forward.

  • george watson

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    May 27 2012: I have found in my life that if you want something in this world be it financial,personal or material make sure you tell people what you are looking for. if you dont tell people you are looking for a widget no one will give you one, if you tell 10 people one of those 10 will have a friend who has one.It may sound simple but it works, i have met to many people who are looking for something but keep it to themselves.include those you meet in life in your search like you have done to me today. Hope you write a interesting life on that clean slate ahead of you
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    Harsh Bardhan

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    May 27 2012: Dear Mitch....
    I think u start something new... My first suggestion is Go and See the new Country which is ur dream . Try something new, like meet new people outside ur country... Go and learn new culture that is most precious thing in this world. If you have enough money then you visit Spain , France India, China.... All this country are Rich on Culture... Visit new place write Something whatever you see, picturize everything.... I think this helps you.. Live your dream...
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    Stewart Gault 30+

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    May 27 2012: http://www.globalteer.org/ just an idea
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    Allan Macdougall 30+

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    May 27 2012: Hi Mitch. I guess try to avoid anything or anyone who would try to 'standardise' you - the way you learn, when you want to learn - what you experience and when you want to experience it. You are the architect of who you are and the person you will become, based on the blueprints of personal experience. You are absolutely your own boss.

    Someone I know well had an unsatisfactory relationship with standardised education. He was not ready for it, so decided to take several years out to tour UK and Europe with his band. Academically, that was the making of him. He is now at University and enjoying every moment of it socially and academically, for the simple reason that he was then ready to be educated.

    As Colleen insightfully pointed out - eliminate the word "should". That is the voice of a standardised system - someone other than yourself - speaking to you.

  • Terry Haynes

    • +4
    May 27 2012: Go to the world, Don't expect it to come to you. Take nothing and no one for granted. Be passionate about whatever you do. Never be afraid to ask a question. Be true to yourself. Treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter who they are. Seek knowledge but use it with wisdom and compassion. You are heading in the right direction by simply asking. All the best in life for you
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    May 26 2012: Just stop worrying and take on the most interesting challenging thing you can find. The more complex the better so it will last a lifetime- this is the advice I would give my 18 year old self. Eveything I ever worried about was bogus. It is always the unexpected that can derail you if you let it.
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    Daxesh Degdawala

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    May 26 2012: to do something new in yr life.

  • Christian Hildebrand

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    May 26 2012: Amazing question! You could start a website asking this!

    I can't answer it, but instead share my latest life-time-lesson-eureka-moment:

    "Give others just a moment of your full attention, disregarding your own agenda and beliefs for just a second, and you will be rewarded with much insight and knowledge." I think this is my own quote ;)

    You could start experimenting with this e.g by asking a stranger, whether they had a good day. Of course you have to wait for the opportune moment and it may not be appropriate all the time. So be alert to your surroundings and instead of listening to an mp3 player or playing a game on the mobile, look at others, smile and choose to engage. Boy, people are happy to talk and tell you a lot of things you never knew.

    My personal example: I played backgammon on my phone on the subway. The guy next to me looked at my screen and said: "I forgot all about this game." Obviously I hesitated engaging, I had my game to win and he seemed slightly intoxicated, unshaven and smelling of booze. But the guy continued asking where I was going to and why. No chance to not engage and I put away the phone entirely. Something funny then unfolded.

    Paul was from Paris and had trained in secrecy for month to partake in a bike race in Berlin, as to not face any laughter if he failed. Only one of his friends knew, because this friend was suppose to take care of his dog at home. Meanwhile that friend decided to invite 15 more peeps to join the hike to Berlin and surprise Paul as his 'fan-club', cheering and supporting him from the side of the route.

    Five days before the race Paul hurt his ankle running a marathon, it dawned on me that I had a wrong preconception about this dude. It turned out that I was surrounded by all 17 of them, now having a party in Berlin, celebrating Paul's non-partaking instead!

    Later I researched about racing bikes. I got inspired by all their passion for it and am now into this. Maybe getting one soon, too.

    Best wishes

  • Sumyyah Bilal

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    May 26 2012: Dear Mitch:
    This is a wonderful time in your life!

    Before going through any post-secondary training or education, follow the ideas you have already expressed! Take this time to explore this country, as well as other countries’, cultures and mindsets. The world is now small, and we all have to learn to be global in our orientations. NOW... is when you want to start to learn who you are as a human being. What do you value...grow your curiosity! I highly recommend that you purchased a book entitled: The Global Achievement Gap, by Tony Wagner. It will offer you a lot to think about. Go to college or seek other paths to your future when you have an answer to the: What?... and the Why? I am the director of an organization that provides career information services. I am giving you a code that you can use to set up an account. It is a new site, and I would love to have your opinion on it. The site is: www.eurekaexpress.org. You may use this code to set up a personal account: account code: J1UZFKQ.

    I wish you a protected and learning filled journey towards what may become your life's mission!
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      Mitch Harrison

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      May 27 2012: Sumyyah,

      Thank you for the website recommendation! I made an account using your code.

      Best wishes to you as well.
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    Hilton Barlach

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    May 26 2012: It's really difficult to advice but I remember that in Israel the young people spend 3 years in the army. When they finish this they usually travel around the world for 6 months or one year, then they go to college and start to work... Since you don't need to go the army (fortunately) you could go straight travelling. What about going to China, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc.? This is just an idea… but I still think you should just take a short vacation, and then go to college just like anybody else… good luck!!!
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    Teja Tanchangya

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    May 25 2012: Dear Mitch,
    I don't know if i can really call myself an adult, for I'm still 22 and going to graduate at the end of this year. But the question you have asked haunted me during the later part of my teenage and it still does. (Sorry for being biographical). Luckily or not, i grew up in a foreign country (in Sri Lanka) since I was 10 or 11 years of age. Before i turned 18 I already visited India, Macau and Hong Kong. At 18 I was a first year undergraduate and that is where i faced several inner conflicts. I realized that even some of my closest friends were in a similar situation. We were reading a lot, questioning the meaning of life, the idea of being young, of growing up, politics, society, of change and so on. We watched movies, wrote poems and articles to newspapers or posted them on websites. We not only fancied some the greatest philosophers and theory makers but also seemed as if we refuted them (I used to meditate also). But there were temptations of being young and they are still: going out, finding partners, finding a reliable job, hankering for appreciation, for love and so on.

    Although i cant claim to have inner peace, i can at least say that the journey i and my friends made had convinced me that behind all our quests is the endless thirst for happiness. But, Mitch, I cant tell you to be me. You are you. But what i realized is to do well what we (love to) do and if we come to realize that what we are doing is not the right thing, then give it up. Giving up is not a problem; it's all about grasping or holding onto something. When we hold onto something - a job, wrist watch, hobby, etc - we suffer when we lose it. If we are convinced that happiness is what we want, we must also be convinced that true happiness is happiness within. For that we need mental stability and for mental stability we need understanding: understanding comes from learning from life. Learning from life is also accepting the vicissitudes of life. What is life?
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      Harsh Bardhan

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      May 27 2012: Dear Teja...
      I really appreciate your thought... Awesome explanation.... lot of greets from heart... Thank U for sharing..
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      May 27 2012: Dear Teja,
      These are very wise words whatever your age:>)

      There are challenges at any age, and I believe it is HOW we live the journey that is the important piece, as you so insightfully say in your comment:>)

      "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take; but by the moments that take our breath away".

      I know I will still be exploring EVERYTHING about the life adventure with an open heart, open mind, unconditional love and the curiosity of a child, even while taking my last breath on this earth school:>)

      In my life experiences, this is how I discover the magic in our world:>)
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        Teja Tanchangya

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        May 27 2012: Dear Colleen,

        Thanks a lot for for your kind words and also for sharing your beautiful life adventure.

        Sharing our thoughts and experiences itself involves living life. For me, creativity of life is where we generate happiness not only within our selves but also within others. Hopefully, we are of some help to Mitch! :D

        Best Regards
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          May 27 2012: Thank you as well Teja,
          I believe it is in sharing the life adventure that we understand more about our interconnectedness, so I very much agree with you that "sharing our thoughts and experiences itself involves living life". For me also, it is with the creativity of life where we generate happiness within ourselves, and also with others:>)

          This is a good example...we are two people...on different sides of our world, from different generations, and I feel very connected to you simply because of our comments...I LOVE it!

  • Thomas Graggo

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    May 25 2012: If I could speak to myself at the age of 18 and give an advise: Dont be afraid to make mistakes, express yourself and give some of your crazy thoughts a try.

    The part with "express yourself / be yourself" is usually the hardest one. Group norms and group conformity are a harsh master, short: Discover yourself, discover what you like and know your limits. Experiment with lifestyles, travel a lot and if you love Rythmic Gymnastic Dance - just do it, even if you are working in a lumberjack camp with too much testosterone around.

    I would really recommend to learn foreign languages by the way.
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