Straight Talk For Teens By Teens

I have a friend who started just like this. Two years later, she’s popping pills and taking ecstasy. By all means, tell the parents.

You tell their parents, trust me, your friends will hate you. Last year I was a freshman and I didn’t think my friends were doing anything, and then one day I discovered differently. They didn’t pressure me, but because I opened my big mouth and got mad at them, I lost a bunch of those friends. Months later, I apologized and accepted their behavior. Now, a year later, over half of them have stopped. Be there for your friends — just don’t let yourself be pressured into joining them. Most likely they will grow out of it.

Unfortunately, drinking and smoking weed is like a “rite of passage” and there’s not much you can do. I keep a relatively straight path by thinking of where I want to be down the road and making my decisions based on those goals. If you present your opinion in this “big picture” kind of way, you’ll have more luck.

Because they’re not close friends, they probably won’t listen to you, but it’s worth a try. On the other hand, be careful not to let their problems become yours. Kids this age are striving to look mature, however, it’s the kids who choose to not pollute their bodies who are the mature ones.

I would be most worried about the drinking. Many of my peers are now dealing with alcoholism from their years in college. Imagine if you started drinking at 14! You will be doing society a huge favor by telling — or leaving an anonymous note — with their parents or a school counselor. I’m not against teenagers being curious and experimenting, but 14 is too young! Focus Adolescent Services says that teens who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who start at 21, and that alcohol is a leading factor in the top three causes of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, which are automobile crashes, homicides and suicides. They go on to say that lack of parental support, monitoring, and communication are significantly related to the drinking habits of adolescents, and that harsh, inconsistent discipline, and hostility or rejection toward children also significantly predict adolescent drinking and alcohol-related problems.

Tell your son that a senior in my high school just died while texting. Her mom texted her and when she texted back she ran off the road and was killed. Another senior ran a stop sign while texting and killed an elderly man.

Get him a Bluetooth. These wireless, hands-free, ear pieces will be hard for police to see. It’s MUCH safer than texting.

I start driving in December. I probably will text at red lights and possibly use a voice-activated phone. A voice-activated, hands-free device should be allowed for everyone, no matter the age.

It is no more dangerous to hold a cell phone to your ear than to eat while you drive. This law will only cause people, especially teens, to find sneakier (and more hazardous) ways to use their phones.

I don’t plan to abide by the new law. Convince your son to talk instead of text, it’s much safer.

People do stupid things while on their cell phones, so I think it’s a good law. I almost never text while driving and I have a Bluetooth — but getting it set up while driving can be dangerous, too.

Being a responsible driver means following the law which I will do. Tell your son how you feel, but don’t force anything or he will just lie to you. Don’t get mad at him for telling the truth or he won’t be honest again.

When I first started driving, I looked down to push in a CD and drove into oncoming traffic. Since then, I have respect for distractions. I don’t text unless I’m stopped. When I’m moving, I use Bluetooth and speed dial. If you must text, a free, super-easy, voice-activated service called Jott converts voice into text. The website is www.jott.com. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a mistake to wake someone up.

What I learned is that adults are just like me. They have the same problems teens have: drugs, sex, relationships, weight, depression, and on. What’s great, though, is that they’ve gone through it and come out okay. They have tons of wisdom to dispense, years of experience to summarize. This is more than a suggestion to talk to your professors/teachers. Socializing with older people is the golden ticket to being successful everywhere: work, college, law school, grad school, LIFE!

I wasn’t popular in high school. I wasn’t an honor student. I essentially didn’t even have parents. My grandmother and mom kicked me out at age 15, telling me I was worthless, so I worked my way through high school living in a group home. Now look at me: independent, a diploma, a job promotion, helping others through my church, happy with life! I’m living proof that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.

Save money. Many teens don’t realize what it takes to just barely survive. Many friends still live with parents, can’t put gas in their car, are in debt.

Ladies: you’ve heard girls mature faster than guys. It’s true. Don’t give away every speck of your heart in your first relationships, only to be devastated. Let the relationships be stepping stones, teaching you what you are really looking for.

Leave your drama at home! Move forward, make friends, be proactive. Take a leap of faith! Don’t let insecurities or mistakes get you down, and if you need to change your mind, do it. Don’t let others choose your path. Go into situations with an open mind. Preconceived notions can cause disappointment and failure.

Don’t be a cookie-cut person. Do what you want to do, not what others want you to do. I’m not saying ignore your parent’s advice, but it’s your life and you need to think critically and develop your own conclusions. Civilizations developed so we could survive easier, however, today’s materialism has made life extremely stressful. Do what brings you joy and what you need (love, money, friends) will come.

I’m a college senior. I play Division I soccer and keep a high GPA. I also party pretty hard. If you’re going to college, the key is balance between work and play. If you love to party, you need to hit the books just as hard and actually go to class. Stay away from white drugs and heavy alcohol use. Keep your body fit. Stay away from relationships that cut you off from what college is for: a place to figure out your boundaries, learn what your body and mind can handle.

I graduated and wanted out of this little town. I moved a lot and ended up back here. Now I know this is where I want to be. Follow your heart and trust it will all be okay. If you are somewhere new, reach out and make friends.

Most important for me was for family and friends to believe in me.

Don’t rely exclusively on others. On the other hand, never forget that someone helped you get where you are. All actions have consequences, but don’t let fear rule. Take unexpected changes in stride, they could be for the better. Don’t sweat the small stuff. File your taxes on time. Do the right thing, always.