At 15 the world is your oyster, but what would you have liked your teenage self to know? Some high-profile New Zealand women share their pearls...
"Always treat people with dignity and respect, work hard, be compassionate and open-minded and remember what you're fighting for."
"Don't be afraid to be different, love who you are and what you can achieve."
"Don't fall into peer pressure of friends - if there is a path you'd
like to take in life, do it. "
"Make the most of life as this is not a dress rehearsal for something else - this is the real deal."
"Good manners take you a long way. Always, always, thank someone when they do something nice for you."
"At 15 I thought being different would blight my life forever. It would take another two decades for me to I discover it was my greatest strength. I wish somebody had made me really understand when I was younger about the importance of nurturing relationships - in the end, the care and love you put into others will always be returned many, many times over." - Carol Hirschfeld, head of programming at Maori Television
"Learn how to spell and punctuate. When you write "your' instead of 'you're' you just look thick. Ditto 'there' and 'they're'. I could go on and on with this one.
Listen to your mum. What she says may sound ridiculous now but she's probably right.
Good manners take you a long way. Always, always, thank someone when they do something nice for you.
Always use sunblock. At 40 your skin will thank the 15-year-old you.
You'll never be 'ready' so seize the moment.
Declare what it is you want and people will assist you." - Karen Walker, fashion designer
"Some of the best advice I received was from my mother who often used to tell me 'Make the most of life as this is not a dress rehearsal for something else - this is the real deal'. She also taught me to make money before you spend it. My daughter tells me she values the advice I gave her about her body: 'You own your body, it is your property and your responsibility. Don't put junk into your body or mind and think very hard before you tattoo it or pierce it. It will date you'. I am also a firm believer that every woman needs a good haircut, a great attitude, red lipstick, a fragrance that is you and that little black dress that never lets you down. - Deborah Pead, managing director of Pead PR
"Don't fall into peer pressure [by] friends - if there is a path you'd like to take in life, do it. Don't let your friends hold you back because you think they are cool ... Dress how you want, be who you want, be a leader not a follower. They will follow you if you are confident about who you are." - Kirsha Whitcher, Salasai designer
"I was never scared of my parents but I was very scared of letting them down. They were tough but fair and I respected them for it. I didn't like being the only one with a curfew and it took me until I was older to understand their wisdom.
"My dad, who was a GP, used to say he had so many patients that would come to him when they were 16 and say 'My parents are so dumb, they don't understand me' and then they would come back when they were 21 and exclaim 'My parents really have learnt a lot in the last five years'." - Sara Tetro, founder of 62 Models
"Don't be afraid to be different, love who you are and what you can achieve. If you have a dream for your future believe in yourself and trust your creative abilities. It doesn't matter where you're from or what you know, if you are passionate about your dream anything is possible." - Louise Pilkington, owner of Servilles Hair Salon Ponsonby and director of Loumina
"My career advice is: work for free, get experience, make contacts versus money, and build your reputation as a hard worker who uses their initiative. If you need cash, sell something on Trade Me! But my overall advice is to study something you are interested in, and don't worry too much about nailing an exact career yet, as you are in fact just a teen and don't have a clue. Get a life education not a vocational one." - Sandy Burgham, marketing director at Max
"Always treat people with dignity and respect, work hard, be compassionate and open-minded and remember what you're fighting for.
"When I broke up with my first boyfriend, one of the most memorable pieces of advice that was given to me was 'Stay strong and remember the next one's the best one'.
"We all fall and we need to treasure our mates and our family. They'll be the ones that pick you up." - Nikki Kaye, MP for Auckland Central
