You'll Regret It If You Haven't Done These 30 Things Before 30

Don't regret not focusing more on where you wanted to go in life, what you wanted to do, who you wanted to be and what it would take to get there. Everyone has a bucket list. These days though, that isn't enough. Indeed, there are now a bunch of things you should do not only before you die, but before you reach the ripe age of 30. Here are a few I was able to whip up:

 1. GO TO COLLEGE

      Though it can be expensive, going to college is definitely worth the investment. You'll make friends, acquire connections, and be around (moderately) smart people all day, everyday. The younger you do it, the better. While it's possible to launch your college career at 30 ( and i'm not discouraging you), there's no question you'll have more energy to deal with the trials and tribulations of university life when you've got all that youthful energy to work with.

2. MOVE OUT OF YOUR PARENT'S HOUSE.
        Sure sticking around with Mum and Dad will save you tons of money. By the time you're 29 though, you should really start thinking about getting your own place, not only for your own sake but for your parents', who by that point are probably fantasizing about being empty-nesters day and night. Be it girl or boy go out and hustle!!

3. BUILD A COMPUTER
        In today's world it's useful to know how computers work, inside and out. While you don't have to be a programming expert, you should at least be able to open up your desktop tower and know what you're looking at. I'm by no means a math or science oriented person, but it's still useful to be able to do these things without having to rely on google. Why do this before hitting 30? We live in an age of technology; knowing little things like this can give you the upper hand in the job market. Plus, it'll save you a lot of money in the long run if you start tinkering early. My 8 year old nephew operates computer very well. Computer is not so difficult to learn and honestly the only reason why most of us paid for computer lessons is for us to have the chance to stroll out with friends. Nor go kill yourself with Autocad if na art grad/student nai you be unless e get wetin you de find sha.


4. START A WORK-OUT REGIMEN. 
        People who are fit later in life started making the right choices at a young age. If you build the foundation in your teens and twenties, finding the time to go exercise for 45 minutes a day is a relatively easy task. Once your fitness plan becomes part of your routine, you'll find it difficult to live without it. I'd outline the benefits of this, but they're self explanatory.


5. PLAY VIDEO GAMES
       Not to lecture the baby boomers among us, but a lot of problems would be solved in today's world if people found time to play video games. They improve your reaction times, allow you to become familiar with all kinds of technologies, and introduce you to fantastical stories and worlds. Don't miss out on one of the best inventions of the last century; pick up a controller today. Now com'on don't tell dem days when you played Mario, Mortal combat/ Street-fighter, Car-race.... PS were not remarkable days you shared with friends and family. Who said growing up, you should drop these acts?! Keep Living!!!

6. GET A SMART PHONE!
         Yup, I added the exclamation point. These little devices are pretty much a necessity if you want to take advantage of everything life has to offer. They boost your productivity, social networking potential, and familiarity with technology by a bucket load, so it's best to become acquainted with them before you reach the three decade mark.


7. FIND A BEST FRIEND.
        These sorts of relationships are more easily forged when young, and they'll last a lifetime. All you really need are two, three, or even just one best friend to make the world a brighter place. True! Contrary to this, am ashamed to admit that am an extrovert! Am a friend to my friends' friends. Don't have any best friend. Once had! I reach out to people. I put more effort into creating a tribe of support that would carry me through more difficult times so as i will for people too. Build deep and lasting friendships.


8. READ AND WATCH THE NEWS.
        The Nollywood movies, Telemudo, MTV Base, Trace TV..... E never do you? (hahahahaha so guilty of this one). While the news is usually boring and/or extremely biased, it's nice staying up to date on current events(not Linda Ikeji aproko o). It will help when talking to older people, since they appreciate when us young folks are aware of all the important (and unimportant) things happening around the world.


9. BECOME A LEADER
       People generally shy away from leadership positions. I'm no exception. Everyone should have some sort of experience directing things while they're young; you'll become more of an independent thinker and won't take as much crap when you're older.


10. COOK YOUR OWN MEALS FOR A WEEK.
       Most Bachelors, workers... go out to eat more than they make their own meals( no i don't have statistic, but i'm probably right). I cook for myself regularly, while it isn't always pretty, i become quite creative with what i am putting on the plate. Plus, it's good practice for when you're older and need to stick to a strict budget (eating out is so expensive). It's far easier to choose to cook your own dinner when you know how to make things that are actually (mostly) edible.

11. INVESTING EARLY.
        How many times have we kicked ourselves for not starting our 401ks in our twenties, for not putting our excess cash in long term investments, for not investing in our future early. No matter how much we try, we can never get back the head start that we missed. Playing up in our 40's and 50's is very difficult. Thus it's better we start saving now before we clock 40.


12. LIVING A MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.
         The bodies of youth are wasted on the young..... I ran a marathon while i was in secondary school. Infact i was the second best female in my school (Ejiro Comprehensive College or just Ejiro school before Omuaro chop me raw hahahahaha). I  biked, took dancing classes, played basketball and  took deejaying lessons. We don't often realize that we have squandered our physical abilities until things start aching and creaking.

13. PURSUE A MORE MEANINGFUL CAREER.
         Many of us wish we had taken more career risks, opted for meaning over money, pursued the career path we wanted instead of what we were expected to do or simply following the path that was laid out before us. How much better to have explored our options and pursued meaningful work in our twenties than to have spent 20 years doing something we don't love. I'm a victim but i won't say my business then was something i didn't want. Am actually referring to  my previous peanut jobs.

`14. TRAVEL MORE-  A FOREIGN COUNTRY.
       I haven't done this yet myself but i'm definitely making it a goal to do it before i hit 30. Why? Mainly because i've had several friends and family who've gone, and they each came back to Nigeria filled with more wisdom and acceptance for other ways of life than they had before. Wetin i de talk sef, some nor wan come back to Naija again hahahaha. It's best to do this when you're young since you still have a moderate amount of freedom to move around , and because there are lots of opportunities to go abroad through university(first degree or masters preferably). Before kids, mortgages and marriages, when our commitments and expenses were lower, the opportunities for travel were much greater, but for some reason many of us thought we'd always have time for travel later. We dreamed of visiting places.... Sadly, many of us never mad these journeys and the opportunity passed us by.

15. READ A HISTORY BOOK. 
      It angers me how the majority of people reference the past in vague platitudes that are no more accurate than your favourite Benin_Kingdom myth. Start educating yourself at an early age, and learn the truth. You'll be amazed how often you catch politicians and pundits lying once you've read actual historical sources.

16. ADDRESS YOUR OWN POLITICAL BIASES.
        Everyone is biased when it comes to Politics. That being said, it's better to know where you stand than to foolishly assume that all your view are always correct. That is why you should become familiar with whatever political positions go against yours especially at a young age when you are more open to considering multiple angles.

17. ROCK OUT A CONCERT.
          You can definitely do this after 30, though i doubt it'll be as much fun since you more likely won't want to be stuck in a writhing mass of young people doing all sorts of dance moves. Dance moves even better i've seen an old man doing some bad steps in one birthday party i attended. I feel for us ladies on this matter because i certainly can't start wearing bump-short nor short gowns out. Naija society don tame such ladies as promiscuous beings even when their husbands nor send. And some, they rebuke their wives cus of "what people might say".

18. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
       Notice, i didn't say "learn" or "become fluent in". Though that would be nice too. As long as you can become decently acquainted with a language, i'll give you a pat in the back ( or an high five, whichever works). The younger you are, the easier it is to pick languages up, so there's no excuse not to try !  I carry hand for who fit try this on out sha. I'm still battling with Urhobo. And now am killing myself with Yoruba. I better learn before dem sell me lolz.

19. TROLL A CELEBRITY.
      We all know how self-important celebrities can be. Turns out they're like that on twitter or instagram too. Do yourself a favour, and try trolling them with a few witty, sarcastic or borderline rude mentions. Sometimes they'll reply you... that is, if you're good. If you do this before you hit 30 they'll forgive you for being a crazy kid, past that and you might get hit with a law suit( nor be for Naija sha). dem go finish you with cause hahahahahah.

20. GO ON AN INSANELY LONG HIKE.
        I'm talking like a six-to twenty mile trip. Preferably one that goes uphill the entire way. You'll feel accomplished, and you'll lose so many calories that you can eat whatever you want for a week! By doing this before 30, you lessen the risk of passing out and tumbling down the mountain.

21. WATCH "24" and GAME OF THRONES.
       What??!!!! You are under 30 and haven't watched Jack Bauer shoot down a helicopter with his pistol? Sure you could watch this fantastic television series when you're older... but then you'll miss out on one of the best (and sometimes unintentionally hilarious) shows of the 21st century, and you'll miss out on all of the cool references at parties. It's been out since 2001 so you have no excuse!
      I just can't comprehend the love i have for John Snow. Oya go watch this one. It isn't a romantic movie of this one way you don hear love so.

22. ACQUIRE A TASTE FOR COFFEE.
      Coffee is great. Not only is coffee arguably good for you, it'll keep you awake while you're in the university. Let's face it, you'll be drinking it later in life regardless, why not start while you're young so that you can take advantage of it's magical powers now.

 "The taste of milk, milo and sugar is still irresistible sha. I rarely take coffee".

23. LEARN SOME ASTRONOMY.
        This could be a class you take in the university or something you do on your own time. Either way, learning about space (the final frontier) is an awesome experience. looking up into the night sky and seeing all of the stars is humbling and makes you forget your earthly issues. This sensation only becomes more powerful once you know exactly what you're looking at.  Some of us are engaged in checking our daily horoscope. Nice one!

24. DON'T LISTEN TO CONVENTIONAL WISDOM.
         As a young person, you're often told  by others that you can't or shouldn't follow your dreams because of X or Y. Don't listen to all of that jazz. They've never been in your shoes and there's no way things can turn out too badly if you put enough effort into what you're doing. You only have one shot to live life the way you want to, so don't miss your chance. Try Everything!

25. TAKE A THEATER CLASS.
      Take this when you're young because you'll learn valuable lessons about interacting with people, how to lose your stage fright, and stuff like that. Take dance lessons, Sing, Act, develop love for poetry.

26.  WRITE A FRICTIONAL STORY
        I know most people hate writing but hear me out on this one. Everyone should try writing a piece of fiction when they are young and imaginative, not only because it's fun but because you'll develop your writing skills (which most people neglect nowadays). Additionally, you may be surprised at what you come up with.

27. GET YOURSELF ORGANIZED.
   Fix this by injecting a little bit of OCD(obsessive Compulsive Disorder) into your life at an early age. Keep post-its, uh, posted around your desk, mirror to remind you of the things you need to do. Use the reminders app on your cell phone. Keep a planner and update it regularly.

28. STOP TAKING MUCH SUGAR! 
    This one go hard o! hhehehehehehehe  At first i couldn't fathom drinking plain old water or iced tea and eventually acquired a taste for it. Nowadays, all of that high-fructose corn syrup in soda is overwhelming. Get started on quitting the sweet stuff before 30 , and you; ll be healthier for the rest of your life.

Trying to kill my love for coke. In fact na only one person de buy me coke. @#%$^^&+Heknows  

29. BE MORE RESPONSIBLE WITH SPENDING.
         We need to make a wiser financial spending choices. Things like buying or holding on to that perfectly reliable used car, instead of splurging on the new model..... because we could,  eating out less and saving for a house instead, buying fewer shoes and purses and clothes. So many saving opportunities lost, money spent on tangible things, instead of on the future.

30. FIRE A GUN!
Picks race

 Did i miss something? I probably did since i based most of these on my own experiences. Let me know some of the things you think we should all do before 30 in the comments below.