Seven‘teen’ Commandments for 2017

Let’s face it, being a teen today is not as easy as it sounds. There are, however, a couple of ways to make sure that nothing ever goes wrong. Our teen columnists list out their 17 commandments for 2017 (see what we did there?), about rules and rule-breaking, to slowly grow up, one day at a time.

AALIYA RAMAKRISHNAN

*** I ***

You better not whisper about something in front of someone and then not tell that person about it.
This is, seriously, one of the most annoying things a person can do! I mean, you’re with two other girls, chatting, and then suddenly one of them starts whispering into the other one’s ear and you’re like, awkwardly standing there. Then you ask what it’s about and they turn around, look at each other and say, “Nothing”. Urggghhh!

*** II ***

You better not post show-offy pics on Instagram.
There’s nothing worse than the show-off Instagrammer.  Do we really need to know that you’re at Starbucks in Thailand or at some fancy hotel in Budapest while we’re rotting in school?

And if you must, at least get an original caption and a halfway cool picture!

*** III ***

You better not snicker about someone else’s outfit.
I know how hurtful it can be. Sometimes, it’s better to keep your thoughts to yourself.

*** VI ***

You better not feel under-confident about what you’re wearing!
Really, if other losers are gonna be haters it is up to YOU to hold your head high and feel confident about yourself.

*** V ***

You better not ignore someone else’s WhatsApp message.
People can see if you’ve read their messages, and it’s pretty rude not to respond. Even if you don’t realise it, they do!

*** VI ***

You better not ‘neglect’ to invite friends to your parties.
It’s hurtful. It’s rude. And it makes you enemies.

*** VII ***

You better not be constantly stuck to your phone at parties/play dates.
This really annoys me and many others. It makes people feel unwelcome and awkward, if they have to sit around, just waiting for Your Royal Highness to kindly put down her/his phone and grant them your attention.

*** VIII ***

You better not tell someone half a piece of gossip and then stop.
I just hate when this happens! So someone tells you, “Did you know that Mira likes someone?” and you get all excited and are like, “Who? Who? Who? Please say na! Pleeeeeeease!” Then that person watches you grovel and beg with a smirk but does not tell you!!!!!!

*** IX ***

You better not let someone else’s rudeness and meanness make you stop doing your thing!
Usually, they are a) jealous ‘coz you are talented while they are couch potatoes OR b) just very mean.

*** X ***

You better not wear that ‘I’m way too cool for this’ permanently-bored expression on your face.
This is too bugging for words. If you act oh-so-bored it just kills the vibe! Where’s your enthusiasm?

*** XI ***

You better not stand at the corner in a school disco or dance party and not dance because you’re scared about what others think.
Often, it’s the non-dancers who look really stupid. Even if you’re as uncoordinated as me, all you gotta do is move to the music. Try it. You might have way more fun.

*** XII ***

You better like my pictures when you’re scrolling down on Insta!
Well…that was worth a try…

*** XIII ***

You better not come to school on the morning an assignment is due and try to copy it off someone who actually put time and effort into it.
Even if they act like they don’t mind, they most probably do and are just agreeing because you put them in a tight spot. Also, it doesn’t hurt to put in a little work.

 *** XIV ***

You better not wear red with pink.
It literally makes my eyes hurt. I mean, red goes with so many other colours—dark blue, green, white —then why on earth would you pick the most heinous combo?

*** XV ***

You better not discuss inside jokes in front of others.
I mean, how was I supposed to know that the word ‘carrot’ means something really gross? Or what really funny thing happened over summer involving donkeys, umbrellas and public parks?

*** XVI ***

You better not sing One Direction songs when I’m around.
I’m not a Directioner. Enough said.

*** XVII ***

Focus on making next year really happy for yourself. If you look at the world in a positive way, nothing will be able to make you feel bad (except maybe if Taylor Swift quits).

ANUSHA SUBRAMANIAN

*** I ***

You don’t worry ‘bout fitting in when you custom made: Yes, that is a Drake lyric. And no, that does not make it less significant. I learnt this year that fitting in is the absolute worst thing that you can do to yourself. Contrary to what you may think, people aren’t actually looking for clones of themselves to be friends with. So for god’s sake, JUST BE YOURSELF ALREADY. It saves everyone a lot of time and energy.

*** II ***

Fake it till you make it: At first glance, this sounds like terrible advice but I promise it’s really not. Convincing yourself that you have it together or even acting like you do for brief periods will help you keep unnecessary overthinking and nervousness at bay.

*** III ***

EMBRACE MELTDOWNS: Give in. Cry for a little bit. Scream. Shout. Refuse to do work for a while. Embrace your inner psycho. But always get back to the grind.  

*** IV ***

Never forget the power of Screenshots: Want to gossip? Do it over call and not on text. Don’t type things that you wouldn’t be comfortable with other people seeing on text with people you don’t trust one hundred per cent.

*** V ***

Seriously, just calm down: Maybe you are giving your Council exams this year, maybe you are graduating, maybe you have a hundred thousand things to do – but don’t forget to chill once in a while. Have the ‘x’ amount of fun for the ‘x’ amount of work you did. Don’t miss out on quality time with friends and family because of overworking.

*** VI ***

Seriously, get serious: In direct contrast to what I said above – you also can’t just while away all your time. 2016 was that year for that. But if 2017 has to be different – we need to have some goals, some idea of how we want to be and who we want to be.

*** VII ***

In case you are confused, the order goes - Friends > Relationships: Always. With no exception. Do not argue with me on this. And it is logical since the person you are dating should be your best friend.

*** VIII ***

Bad decisions make good stories: That is not to say that you should be making stupid decisions all the time. Just that, sometimes, mistakes aren’t as bad as they seem.

*** XI ***

Drop the baggage: Only link with the real ones. They say that being nice to people who you aren’t particularly fond of is not called being fake…it’s called being mature. We can save ourselves a lot of time in 2017 if we focus on the truly important people in our lives.  

*** X ***

“I think you should…”: Anyone who makes very helpful comments on your body, style, personality or weaknesses has GOT TO GO. DUMP THEM.

*** XI ***

Mental health is always #1: Do what you have to do to feel good. It really is okay to take a chill day if you are not feeling mentally at your best.

*** XII ***

Confidence isn’t a feeling, it’s a state of existence: ‘Nuff said.

*** XIII ***

Don’t be so scared of rejection that you end up taking yourself out of the equation: Don’t be so scared of not making the cut that you never even try. It’s okay if you make the decision to stay safe and comfortable. But don’t stay safe and comfortable by default because you are afraid to take risks.

*** XIV ***

Music will always be your therapist: You can use music to either intensify your feelings or change them.

*** XV ***

It is okay to love fictional characters more than real people: We all have that one character we would do anything for.

*** XVI ***

Keep updating your definition of a Happy Ending: Maybe nabbing a Prince Charming/Princess would have meant a happy ending 100000000 years ago, but in this day and age we need a lot more and in some ways a lot less to fulfill that same definition. Everyone’s meaning of Happy Ending is a little different.

*** XVII ***

New Year’s Resolution: Please don’t make one. We both know you’ll never keep it. Hope that everyone has a very peaceful and productive New Year! Just kidding – Hope everyone has a totally dramatic and extremely eventful 2017!

PRIYANKA PAUL

*** I ***

Thou shall not bunk class. (Sleeping in, however, is an ethical practice.)

*** II ***

Thou shall be a better friend, even though your friends forget your birthday. Be the bigger person and make their birthdays super special so they feel guilty.

*** III ***

Thou shall not leave the entire semester portion for a night before, and then on the night continue to scroll through Instagram.

*** IV ***

Thou shall try to read more relevant intellectual books.

*** V ***

Thou shall binge-watch all the seasons of thy favourite television series with no regrets.

*** VI ***

Thou shall not waste thy parents’ money on frivolous fancy coffees at Starbucks.

*** VII ***

Thou shall not count calories and worry about getting fat, as thou art still growing!

*** VIII ***

Thou shall stand up for your(thy)self and others, and express one’s self strongly. Thou shall try to make a change.

*** IX ***

Thou shall experiment and explore.

*** X ***

Thou shall obey thy parents not only when in want of an increase in allowance.

*** XI ***

Thou shall not spread hatred on social media.

*** XII ***

Thou shall share and make only good memes. Bad memes ought to be a punishable offense.

*** XIII ***

Thou shall volunteer for social work or contribute to charity at least once a year.

*** XIV ***

Thou shall try to be an optimistic (hah) active, lively, fun teenager!

*** XV ***

Thou shall learn to love thyself.

*** XVI ***

Thou shall never stop dreaming.

*** XVII ***

Thou shall make time for one’s precious self.

AMEV PEREIRA

*** I ***

Listen to and love your parents, but learn to be independent
Our parents have brought us up, cared for us and loved us, so we need to return the favour by doing anything we can for them. Make sure you listen to them and do most of the things they say. As long as you aren’t doing something illegal or ill-advised, you should slowly learn to lead yourself.

*** II ***

Keep your best friends close
People waltz in and out of our lives on a daily basis, but your best friends are those who never leave your sight. Make an effort to keep it that way, so you never lose the people who mean the most to you.

*** III ***

Love
Boyfriends and girlfriends are absolutely fine. How else will you learn? Life is a practical exam with no theory, after all. As long as you don’t go overboard, that is.

*** IV ***

School
As you near the end of your school life, you will no doubt feel a sense of nostalgia. Make your last few years memorable, because one day, you will regard those moments as the best moments of your life.

*** V ***

Work
As you rise through the tiers of school or college, you will undoubtedly notice an increase in the work you have to do. Of course, most of the things you study will pay off someday, so keep your chin up and try your best to cope with the flood.

*** VI ***

Play
Of course, not everything in life is about studying and working. Party, have fun, play a sport, pick a hobby, and do whatever you want to when you are free. Try to strike a balance between work and play.

*** VII ***

The Internet
Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook have absolutely taken the world by storm, to the point where celebrities, old people, babies and even pets have their own pages. However, today’s teenagers rule the Internet. As long as you don’t use social media for the wrong stuff, you have every right to exploit your privileges.

*** VIII ***

Exercise
Even if it doesn’t mean formal exercise or visiting the gym, make sure you run, stretch and do the occasional push-up to keep fit.

*** XI ***

Pop Culture
Of course, pop culture is what’s happening and trendy, and following it is staple for most of us. However, you shouldn’t go ahead and idolise it. You shouldn’t lose your personality while trying to be popular or trendy, even if peer pressure demands it.

*** X ***

Peer Pressure
It seems almost impossible to avoid it, but we must always remember that we come before our friends in most situations. Your care and love for them shouldn’t push you into doing something you think isn’t right.

*** XI ***

Manners
Act however you want with friends, but never forget to have respect for those who deserve it, and act well in front of them.

*** XII ***

Music
Listen to what’s hot or what’s not. This is the most important time for an individual to develop a personality, so go ahead and experiment! You might find something you like.

*** XIII ***

The Future
By this stage in life, you should start thinking about the future. Take notes from things you love and things you are good at, and conduct research about different jobs.

*** XIV ***

Entertainment
Be it books or Netflix, never forget to keep yourself entertained. This takes the load off the brain for a while, so you can relax and start work afresh later.

*** XV ***

Food
Enjoy whatever food you want to, whether it is French fries or sushi, but take it in moderation. Everyone loves food, but never cross your food limits.

*** XVI ***

Perception
You are what you think you are, so don’t let anybody let you think you are inferior to them.

*** XVII ***

Don’t Listen
Don’t listen to anything we said. The best way to learn is from first-hand experiences, so do not let anyone impose their views on you. Rules and guidelines are nothing but pinches of salt and pepper to flavour life, so don’t listen to us. Listen to yourself.