Things to Do Before Turning 20

To help in this direction, here's a list of meaningful things you should try to do before you step into your twenties, which can help you grow in confidence, skill, and direction.

Travel on a Budget

When you travel alone, you learn to make decisions, deal with unexpected situations, and figure things out without relying on others. You don’t need to fly across the world or spend much money. Even visiting a new town or planning a solo day trip can do the trick. It’s one of the best ways to become more independent, open-minded, and self-aware. The earlier you do it, the more fearless you’ll become in other areas of life.

Learn the Basics of Money Management and Savings

Money will become a huge part of your life. Start by understanding simple things like how to create a budget, how saving works, what credit means, and why debt can be dangerous. In addition to savings, learn about life insurance and other forms of financial protection from your parents or guardians. These basics are often not taught in school, but they’re essential. Managing your money and saving even little amounts wisely now can help you avoid stress later.

If you wish to focus on money management, investing, and financial protection, products such as an SIP or term plan are excellent choices. To go into a little detail, 20 is the most accurate age to purchase a term insurance policy. You can get it for a monthly premium of as low as Rs. 500. You can use an online term plan calculator to estimate how much you will have to pay for a significant financial corpus. You can also go to PolicyBazaar to easily compare such products. 

Explore Different Careers Before You Pick One

Before you lock into a college major or career path, try to understand different jobs. Volunteer, intern, talk to people in different fields, or take on freelance gigs if possible. It’s a great way to understand what a job is really like beyond the surface. You might discover something exciting, or realize that your “dream job” is not the only thing to chase in life.

Learn How to Run a Household

It might sound basic, but knowing how to cook simple meals, do laundry, keep your space clean, and manage everyday tasks is a big part of being independent. These things matter when you move out or live alone for the first time. The more comfortable you are with day-to-day responsibilities, the easier it is to focus on bigger things later.

Read Books That Change the Way You Think

There’s a lot more to learn outside the classroom. Make it a habit to read at least a few thought-provoking books that challenge your perspectives and encourage deeper thinking. Explore works on psychology to understand human behaviour, delve into philosophy to question life’s big ideas, or read biographies to learn from the real-life experiences and struggles of others. The purpose is to gain insight into how different people view the world. That insight helps you grow in ways that grades alone can’t.

Volunteer for Something That Matters to You

Doing something for others, without getting paid, can teach you more than any class. When you volunteer for a cause you truly care about, you develop empathy, leadership, and a stronger sense of community. It’s also a chance to work with people from different backgrounds and learn how to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Get Good at One Useful Skill

You don’t need to be great at everything. But it’s a smart move to become good at at least one practical skill. It could be cooking, public speaking, fixing bikes, writing, coding, or photography. A solid skill not only gives you confidence, it can also come in handy in ways you don’t expect, personally or professionally.

Introspect and Take Care of Your Mental Well-Being

Learning to care for your mental health early on can make a big difference later. This includes recognizing stress, setting boundaries, dealing with anxiety, and knowing when to ask for help. Life will have tough moments, there’s no avoiding that, but if you learn how to deal with them in healthy ways now, you’ll be stronger and more balanced as you grow older.

Final Thoughts

Your teenage years are not just a waiting room for adulthood; they’re a time to build a strong foundation for the rest of your life. Don’t worry about being perfect or having it all figured out. What matters most is that you start trying. Explore new things. Take calculated risks. Make mistakes but learn from them. Every step you take now adds up later.