Here are more responses from adults to the question:

“If I knew then what I know now … What advice would you give to a middle school kid about life, education or career?”

>> Back-To-School Advice For Teens, Part 1 <<

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Become financially and technologically literate. Learn to read and write well.

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It’s not always the people with the top grades that end up with the best careers. What successful people all have is persistence and the willingness to work hard. Work hard and run your own race. Find the areas you shine in and develop those areas.

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Watch the video on Ted “8 Success Steps.” It’s brilliant, and has some key watch words to small and large business owners. (Life) can be very rewarding, but hang on for the journey you are taking!

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Regardless of how you were raised, always continue your education past high school. There are many skills, both taught and not taught that we can gain from being in school and/or other educational programs. You never know what kind of work/careers you’ll have in life until you are “in it.” This is a reason to never stop learning for yourself.

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Don’t let anyone else choose your career for you.

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Take the time to understand who you are and what you’re good at. Use tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to steer you in a general direction and help you discover your innate skills and abilities. Understanding who you are will help you determine the classes to take in high school and eventually the major you’ll pursue in college.

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Listen more than you speak.

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 A good life is about balance, being able to take the time to enjoy the simple things in life as well as planning, preparing and working hard for a bigger dream of your future.

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Plan big and adapt along the way.

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Also from DeniseMpls:

• Back-To-School Advice For Teens, Part 1
• Advice To Teens Gets Personal
• 7 Ways To Have A Gold Medal Career

Author Bio: Denise Felder is a writer and career adviser encouraging everyday people to make positive life and career choices.