20 Things You Should Know By Age 20 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

20 Things You Should Know By Age 20

Even if you have to Google some of them.

9071
20 Things You Should Know By Age 20
Meghan Flynn

Ah 20. The start of a new decade, a decade where you have to get a lot of stuff done. You have to graduate college, get a real job, get an apartment, pay taxes, maybe get married (MAYBE), maybe have kids (AN EVEN BIGGER MAYBE). There’s a lot to do, and there’s also a lot you should know by 20.

By age 20 we have been on our own at college for at least 2 years. We’ve dealt with changing friendships, changing relationship dynamics with our parents, and entered a new world known as college. But what should we know by this point in our lives? I’ve developed a list of what you should know by 20 — if you are counting down the days to 20, use this as a checklist, and if you are already 20, then use this as a list of what you should Google.

1. How to cook a good meal.

No, instant mac and cheese and ordering pizza doesn’t count.

2. How to do your laundry.

If you are still using a laundry service at 20 I’m sorry but YOU ARE PATHETIC. Learn how to do your laundry — it’s easy!

3. How to budget.

Speaking of money – you should know how to stick to and make a budget by now. Creating and sticking to a budget makes your life easier, you won’t have to cringe every time you open your banking app to see how much you have left.

4. You should have an answer to: what’s your favorite…

Chances are it will change but don’t be that person that says “I don’t have one”. I can 100% guarantee that when a certain song comes on the radio, a certain movie is being shown on TV you get excited to hear it or watch it – that’s your answer to this question.

5. How to fake It until you make it.

We are 20, we don’t have the answer to everything and we certainty don’t know how to do everything but one thing we can do – pretend you know how to do it because there is a 100% you know how to figure out how to do it – it’s called Google.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

We don’t know what we are doing we are only 20 so asking for help is ok and encouraged don’t mess something up because you were afraid to ask for help.

7. Be friendly.

You never know who is watching or who you are talking to. Be friendly, say please and thank you and it will get you places in life. If for no other reason be friendly because it’s the NICE thing to do.

8. To show up.

Half the battle is showing up – just do it.

9. How to network.

Networking is having conversations with people and then keeping in touch with people – that’s it. You should know how to do this.

10. How to take a good photo.

Find me a 20-year-old that doesn’t have a go-to pose for their Instagram photo and I will show you a liar.

11. The best way to relieve stress.

What makes you feel less stressed? For me it’s baking or reading – you should know because from what I hear stress doesn’t go away it gets worse (SOS).

12. Who you can rely on.

By this point you should know the 5 people you can call no matter what. They could be your best friends, your parents, siblings, cousins – I don’t care you should know the people you can call when you need it.

13. How to not procrastinate.

We all know procrastinating is bad yet we all do it. But you should know when you can’t procrastinate and that’s what this is all about reading the situation.

14. How to format a resume.

Even if it’s not perfect yet you should have a resume formatted and ready to go for when an opportunity comes around.

15. Read as much as possible.

Ok that’s super corny and I sound like such an old person BUT just do it, you can thank me later.

16. How to skim.

Don’t read every word in every paragraph skim it and figure out what it’s important – it’ll save you time.

17. Know what’s going on in the world.

If you don’t have a news app or follow some news organization on some platform of social media by age 20 then I’m seriously concerned for the future of our planet.

18. How much sleep you need to be a functioning human.

You should know that if you get less than 5 hours of sleep you are going to be a mean person the next day. This information can be used to a) warn others and b) determine how much caffeine you will need to consume throughout the day.

19. Have something planned for the future.

Whether you want to save the planet from global warming or you want to get that internship this summer have something to aim for. It sounds super corny but having that driving force will make you work harder.

20. Have fun.

If dancing on elevated surfaces does it for you, or staying in bed watching Netflix is your thing then do it.

Your 20s are a time to be selfish so make sure that whatever you are doing you are having fun while doing it. So here’s to 20 and figuring out what to do in this new decade.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180043
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7079
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452372
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23234
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments