When I'm 25…

Your 25th birthday won't be like any other. It's that wonderful year when you have lived a quarter century on the planet. You'll have gathered plenty of first-hand experiences and learned valuable lessons to last a lifetime. But that doesn't necessarily mean your understanding of life will be any greater than an 8th grader's. 

On the occasion of The Daily Star's 25th anniversary, we asked youngsters where they would want to see themselves when they are 25. Some of them might or might not have had breakdowns when trying to think what they'd really want to do with their lives.

"I want to be an orthopaedic surgeon. Some people are unable to walk or play due to broken bones. I want to be the one to mend the bones and give the patients a new hope and opportunity. On the other hand, I want to travel to Egypt, Rome and Greece before I'm 25. The historical sites in those countries have always attracted me since I read about them in history books." – Mahzabeen Yousuf, 
15, The City School International

"If God gives me the opportunity to get to 25, I plan to make the most of it. By that age, I want to invent a self-repairing quarrying robot that can be sent to outer space for asteroid mining and can also be used to transport the extracted gold and platinum back to Earth. Aside from making me wealthy, I intend to use the money to improve the standard of living of the poor in our country and also invest in the protection and conservation of the Bengal tigers. I also plan to become a pro at making lava cakes, because as much as I love eating them, they are extremely difficult to make." – Aritri Priya Saha, 17, S.F.X Greenherald International School

"I aspire to be a problem solver. By the time I turn 25, I want to be a part of scientific or environmental projects and experiments – anything that will make a big change in the world. I want to be able to help the people of Bangladesh in finding simple solutions to big challenges. I do believe that my IB education in Malaysia will help me in that regard." – Farih Ihsanul Kabir Khan, 17, UCSI 
International School

While scientific and developmental endeavours are priority for some, others had a different outlook on life. Some were more career-oriented.

"I intend to complete all the three levels of CFA before I turn 25 and earn myself a place among the youngest CFA degree holders in the country. In the meantime I want to complete my FRM exams that will complement my skills in financial analysis. I want to learn and understand more about the economy and the financial institutions and also develop strong financial literacy. Alongside these, I plan to start my own manufacturing business of green construction and household materials, grow and stabilise its operations before I leave the country for my master's studies." – Sharmili Rowshon Kabir, 22, Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka

On the other hand, love for the arts seemed to interest some budding talents. 

"I want to be in a position where I know hard work and honesty has paid off. I would like to pursue a career in physics and publish my music from my home studio by the time I have turned 25." – Aumio Ishaat, 18, Hurdco International School

"I have always hated tea with milk. I used to hate it so much that I'd get a headache even when I saw someone else have it. But that was five years ago. Now, I cannot live without having at least four cups of milk tea a day. That shows how things can change in five years. In the next five years, I see myself graduating, getting some books published, securing a good job, having my own apartment, and getting a pet. But in reality, nobody knows what's in store, and the uncertainty is pretty exciting. Except the part about getting a pet; that is something I surely will do." – Shazmeen Haq, 20, North South University 

The creative ones also seemed to be romantics who want to travel the world, and live their lives to the fullest. These youngsters, like many others of this generation, can seldom fathom a life marred by monotony.  

"I don't see myself ruling the world by the time I'm 25. Rather, I see myself being satisfied with everything I've got. I want to go on a Europe trip with my sister before I turn 25, and attend classes in my desired institution. I hope I will still feel blessed. And since I'm a photography enthusiast, hopefully my Instagram followers will reach 7.5K by then." – Zahra Labiba Ahmed, 14, Viqarunnisa Noon School & College

"In the 25th year of my life I'd like to see myself working somewhere I fit in, doing something that brings out the creative side in me – something my parents would be proud of. I'm a hopeless romantic so I do expect myself to be married to the right person by then. I want to be responsible enough to take care of myself and my family. I despise the idea of leading a monotonous life when I'm 25; eat-sleep-work, that is definitely not going to be my daily routine. I want my life to be vibrant and full of colours. Lastly, I want to go to the Santiago Bernabeu to watch an El Classico with my loved one when I'm 25." – Junayed Tahmid, 17, Notre Dame College

"To me, the age 25 is basically when we should take a break from everything else and focus on some life-long dreams; it's the time when we should legitimately 'live' life after completing university and before we take on a heap of responsibilities. Firstly, I want to travel with my squad, and experience the things I was always afraid of. Though I'm acrophobic, I want to go sky diving right after I graduate. I'd like to try out numerous cuisines, so that I can share my experience with my family and friends through my humorous reactions. I'd also make some progress, so I don't end up 'forever alone'." – Arpan K Chakma, 17, Maple Leaf International School

They dream big. But as it turns out, all they want before their 25th birthday is to be happy and live life on their own terms – be that through a drastic change, or by no change at all. 

"By the time I turn 25, I hope I have turned into a beautiful swan. Yes. Other than that I would really like to be a doctor and help people in need. Even if that sounds like my dad talking on behalf of me, it is really something I want for myself right now. Also, ugly ducklings really turn into beautiful swans when they grow up, right? Right?" – Sadia Nazni, 13, Scholastica

"Contrary to mainstream aspirations, being the 'successful doctor or engineer' never appealed to me. I can't stand conformity. All I really want for myself in the future is to do something different. I would consider myself successful if, five years from now, regardless of whatever my profession is, I can still do things my own way. So many people forget to enjoy their lives by the time they are 25. They get too busy to remember what makes them happy. I hope that never happens to me. Being 25 is not the end of our youth." – Raosaam Sharaheel, 18, Notre Dame College

"I plan on joining Arsenal this year, so that I can be offloaded to Manchester City by 25 for being too old. But if that doesn't work out, I want to have a decent job in a well reputed organisation in Bangladesh. Hopefully they'll pay enough to let me buy as many bars of chocolate, tubs of ice-cream and buckets of fried chicken as I want to and still have cash left in the bank. Other than that, I don't really want anything to change. I'd love it if I'm still living with the amazing family I'm blessed with." – Shadid Rahman, 22, 
Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka

We saw Taylor Swift making a huge fuss about her 25th birthday, but for most of us 'regular' folks, the 25th year just slips in between graduation and thinking of getting married or getting a job. What really matters is not how we celebrate the 25th year of our existence, but what experiences and stories we take with us from that point onwards. So don't stop dreaming, and don't stop chasing your dreams, even if they seem out of your grasp right now. Like Shazmeen said, there's an excitement in the uncertainty of what the future holds. 

Photos: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed