What should i have achieved by 28

While I'm over 30 now, I can look back on things I did do and things I didn't do and laugh. There could be hundreds of accomplishments that I could have listed, but here are my essential 29 things that you should accomplish before you turn the big As Nike would say, "Just Do It. Note: I still recommend doing most of these things after 30 as well; it's just easier to do most before.

Getting bogged down with student loans is definitely a concern. However, college provides priceless experiences like meeting new friends, getting out of your comfort zone, and learning skills that will help land a sweet job.

And, most employment will require this. Graduating will also give you a leg up on other people applying for a job. Besides, cooking your own food ensures that you stay happy and healthy for the rest of your life since it always includes fresh ingredients wink but overall, it can be a fun hobby.

You don't have to become a gourmet cook unless you want to -- think simple, straightforward, healthy meals. Also, you may be able to learn about a new culture and even plan a visit to where your family originated from.

I ended up visiting England last year. This is where my heritage comes from. It gave me a new sense of meaning and understanding. In doing so, you set goals, push yourself, build confidence, explore new places, and meet new people. The sooner you start working out, the better chance you have in maintaining a set routine for the rest of your life.

It should go without saying that exercise controls your weight, mood, decreases stress and prevents many negative health conditions and diseases.

It may seem too early to think about your retirement. The money you save in your 20's will equal millions by the time of your retirement.

I would start by setting up a retirement account and contributing monthly to it. I don't even drink wine and I could tell you a lot about it.

As you get older, however, you realize you only really need a handful of friends. And, that most important friend is your bestie. You know. The person who knows everything about you and is still friends with you. Find a quality friend whom you enjoy and remember that friendships require effort. Put the time in so you have this important stabilizer in your life.

But, do you want to be doing all that change-up for the next 20 or 30 years? Find your dream job and make sure that you do all you can to secure it. Doing good for others makes you a stronger and more well-rounded individual. I personally help with Open to Hope , it gives me a sense of meaning and worth.

Enjoy the loud music and large crowds while you can. Even if you don't like it, try it once. Instead of always looking to be blessed, spend some time being a blessing to others.

Just because someone is good to you, doesn't mean they are good for you. No one can make you whole. No one is your other half. You came into the world as a complete being and you will leave that way.

Instead of making non-negotiable lists about an ideal mate, spend time making sure you are the ideal person you'd want to marry. Look in the mirror first before blaming others for how they've hurt you. Make sure you aren't inflicting your own wounds. Happiness starts from within. You can't depend on someone else to give you something only you can provide for yourself.

If you don't know how to be alone and enjoy your own company, you can never be ready for a relationship. Being supportive of others is cool. But don't run yourself empty constantly trying to please everyone else. Make time for the things you need. Always keep enough fuel in your tank for you. This post originally appeared on Jaimee's travel and inspirational blog, This Way North.

News U. Politics Joe Biden Congress Extremism. Special Projects Highline. HuffPost Personal Video Horoscopes. Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. Part of HuffPost Wellness. All rights reserved. Do it because you love it: not because someone else or societal standards told you so.

Timing is everything. If the timing isn't right, it's wrong. Everything isn't meant to last forever. It's tough. It hurts. But it's life. Letting go is both healthy and hard. But it's needed for your growth. Everyone doesn't know what's best for you. By the way, you can definitely do these things if you're over 30 as well. It may just be easier when you're in your 20s. I know. Thinking about your retirement isn't the most exciting topic.

But the sooner you plan for your retirement, the better off you'll be down the road. Here's an example from CNN Money:. This is another topic that isn't the sexiest option to think about. But if you want to be able to purchase a home or borrow money to start a business, then you have to have solid credit. Discover what your credit score is as early as you can. If it's not great, then you need to start taking the steps to repair it. The older you get, the more responsibilities you're going to have.

This means that a lot more things can go wrong, like your vehicle breaking down or having to do emergency home repairs. However, with more responsibilities, you're less likely to be able to start putting money aside. Start saving in your 20s for a rainy day.

How much? I personally like to have 12 months' worth, but that's not always possible. I suggest to plan on enough money to get yourself and whoever you are responsible for by for three to six months. Debt like credit cards and student loans can bog you down as you get older. In fact, those monthly payments can add up so much that it can prevent you from purchasing a new car or being able to pay a monthly mortgage. Pay down these debts as soon as you can before you have more responsibilities.

Go without something else--get rid of your debt, as this will help you to be able to start things later in life. While you should definitely be concerned about student loans, you can't beat the experiences and opportunities that college can provide. Besides learning skills that can help you find a job, attending college forces you to get out of your comfort zone, learn how to become more self-sufficient, and develop your networking skills. I'm in no way advocating that you goof off or act unprofessional, nor to tell your boss off.

You may get fired simply because you aren't talented enough for that specific position. And that can be a wakeup call that you either need to develop your skills or change career paths sooner rather than later. I'm more encouraging you to take risks. These can either pay off or get you fired. If you never take big risks, you'll never know. Traveling abroad gives you the chance to experience new cultures and meet interesting people along the way.

In short, traveling is absolutely priceless. Better yet, traveling when you don't have a lot of money teaches you how to budget and get thrifty. Like attending college or traveling overseas, moving to a completely unfamiliar city forces you to get out of your comfort zone, which opens the door to countless experiences that you would never have had if you stayed in your hometown. There's nothing as fulfilling as building something from scratch, as opposed to just purchasing it.

I've made everything from hat racks to standing desks, and it's forced me to think in a completely different direction, and pick up a huge sense of pride along the way.

Plus, it can save you a ton of money. We're all talented at something. Find that talent and harness that skill so that you can become successful.