Teenage years are straight up difficult. It’s hard to navigate the right and wrong, to think ahead or know what’s good from bad.

For 19-year-olds in particular, marking the last teenage year, it’s hard to feel valuable, independent and strong when constantly comparing themselves to the rest of the world.

However, it is said that knowledge is power. A strong knowledge of the things that matter most, like understanding oneself and what they stand for can make this age group impermeable.

Education lists five things that young adults should learn and understand.

1. Character is everything

Prioritise personal integrity, says Elias Kurgat, a counsellor at Nu-Vision High School, and be a person of your word.

"We live in a world that puts a lot of emphasis on success and money and fame and popularity, but none of that can lay a finger on a person who has deep character.

"Deep character will get you further than all of the above. So, go deep and then go deeper. Go deep in kindness. Go deep in courage to do the right thing. Go deep in humility. Go deep in grace. Be upright in what you say and do,” he says.

2. There is no such thing as  ‘you deserve something’

Every time we stop trying, we minimise what we deserve. Therefore, we must keep trying. We must earn what we get every step of the way.

"For 19-year olds, it’s important to understand the hard work and sacrifice that parents went into while earning the funds that allow them to go to college, or simply raise them this far,” Rosette Mutesi, a parent who resides in Kanombe, Kicukiro District, says.

Besides, one never gets ahead or does much for the world by thinking they are entitled to things.

"We must, therefore, teach our children to have the expectation to work hard for everything they get. This will bring more good things like good grades, promotions and financial security,” she says. 

3. You don’t have to have it all figured out

You might look around and think that everyone else has it figured out, but they don’t. Some people are just riding on their confidence while on the inside, they’re shaking in their boots! Don’t measure yourself by others. You are not expected to live life in the same order as others.

4. Your choices should have far more to do with your values than your friends

It may look like others are moving ahead into adulthood and you’re being left behind. But this is not true. Remember, you are an original so your choices should have far more to do with your values than your friends.

5. Don’t flirt with the world

The likes of buzzing till you throw up is not "fun”. They are not rites-of-passage that all kids have to partake in to qualify for their 20s.

Famous TV celebrity, Steve Harvey, said it best, "Sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay and cost you more than you wanted to pay.”

"Use this time to develop your interests and talents. Life will be a lot more fun in the long run, trust me,” says Kurgat.