how to ruin your life.

I've never been an expert on the topic titled above, because I've never gotten around to doing the above-mentioned. But with my judging eyes I feel like I've seen a few people experiment with the above. I don't mean to be cruel to these people or judgmental--but from an outsider's eyes this is how things may appear. (and i'm feeling a little emotional about someone right now and this is my medium to vent)

1. Getting married too young. Am I being too pointed? I really do believe this can ruin your life...but at the same time it could be one of the best things someone can do. More often than not though I see this go awry. Hitched to a person who is a bum, and not moving in the direction you'd like to go--someone who weighs you down. Don't get me wrong--I highly value the sanctity of marraige, but I've seen girls rush into it without really thinking about what they truly want to do with their lives and what their husbands want to do with their lives. God gave our lives purpose...hitch yourself to the one who has the same one or one that complements yours.

2. Flunk a class or two your senior year after three years of excellent grades. I saw a friend do this, which you would think could just be a sign of "senior slack", but really it became a habit. The senior slack became a life-time of slack and a loss of confidence and motivation. I'm seeing it again in someone younger now. Three years of excellent grades and then poor grades senior year. I'm afraid to see what this leads to. It's probable she'll lose some of her scholarships from her college of choice...then she might not be able to afford it anymore. She will end up going to a school that's a par lower.

3. Flunk out of college--in a Chinese family. This is a way to make your parents feel very ashamed and moreover feel like failures as parents. I also saw this happen and I even cried for the hopelessness they felt. This also can lead to a loss of confidence and motivation. Parents aren't sure if they should cry or yell--how do you remedy the situation.

I have a few more to add, but I'm afraid to add them.
I wanted to add a good note.
Though there are many ways to ruin your life...I should probably add addictions to the list (drugs, video games, socializing, eating) well anything that keeps you from functioning normally in society and messes the balance of priorities--anyhow as I was saying--though there are many ways to ruin your life, there are ways to redeem your life.
I've seen friends who went through the above-mentioned things and really redeemed their situations.

1. I do believe it's very difficult to redeem a bad marraige, but it's not impossible. Though my friend's bad marraige weighs her down, she's strong and is pushing forward with these weights on our shoulders. She's studying to be a nurse while being a parent and wife--with little help though from her husband.

2. I know there have been countless high school slackers who have proven themselves successful during college or after college in their jobs. I'm hoping the younger one I mentioned will redeem herself in her college years and prove to not have lost motivation and discipline.

3. He flunked out freshman year and was asked not to return, but a different college accepted him with grace and turned him into a leader. He used to seem so shy and sad but now he beams with joy and has found and exhibits his talents.

I'm a little upset right now and feeling like a parent, though I'm not yet. It's sad to see people make bad decisions, and know you have no control over the situation. I know I don't have any control and most of what I say is useless. All I can do is support/encourage them and pray. I'm not supposed to worry about them...I know I need to trust that God is in control and to trust in the knowledge that there is always redemption.