Chronicle Editor
Youth Focus with Dr Manners Msongelwa
MAKING the transition from adolescence to adulthood can be difficult. With new-found independence comes great responsibility that many young people are unprepared for.
It’s too easy to make reckless decisions that can lead to long-term consequences in your youth. Some mistakes end up haunting young people for the rest of their lives.
Here are some mistakes that learners make while at school
Not taking education seriously
Many learners lack dedication when it comes to education. They skip classes, don’t study enough, or fail to learn good habits. Dropping out of high school without a diploma can limit future opportunities. Young people may underestimate how important education is for unlocking their potential.
Getting into unhealthy relationships
During youth, many begin exploring romantic relationships for the first time. However, some end up in manipulative, dishonest, or abusive partnerships. Dating unstable people can lead to years of emotional trauma. It may also result in ties to toxic individuals that are hard to break.
Developing bad habits
Unhealthy habits form quickly when you are young and feel invincible. Smoking, recreational drug use, binge drinking, junk food diets and lack of exercise can all take their toll before you realise it. Breaking deeply ingrained habits that jeopardise your health becomes more challenging with age.
Having sex and unprotected sex
Youth often involves some level of sexual exploration. However, sex and unprotected sex can lead to life-altering situations like pregnancy or contracting STDs. This kind of outcome can derail education and career plans. Some STDs like HIV follow you for your entire life as well.
Being unkind to others
Bullying, spreading rumours, betraying friends – these behaviours often get dismissed as just teenage behaviour. However,being intentionally cruel to others gains you a bad reputation that can follow you for years. Apologies cannot undo the hurt and mistrust caused.
Not investing in yourself
As a teen, you may think you have your whole life ahead of you. However, not developing skills and talents early on can make it harder to find meaningful work later.
Building your human capital gives you more options. It would be best if you also had time to get proficient.
Trying to grow up too fast
The teenage urge to prove oneself as an adult often backfires. Getting into grown-up situations too soon – moving away, doing drugs, having sex – frequently leads to outcomes one is not mature enough to handle.
Specific coming-of-age experiences are best left for true adulthood.
NB* Avoid skipping lessons, playing with the wrong friends and start thinking about the future now.
Dr Manners Msongelwa is an author, teacher and youth coach. He can be contacted on +263 771 019 392
Bongani Ndlovu