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Journal of Adolescent Research
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"You're Only Young Once"

Things College Students Report Doing Now Before It Is Too Late

Russell D. Ravert

University of Missouri, ravertr{at}missouri.edu

This exploratory study examined the extent to which emerging adult college students report engaging in behaviors now because they feel they will lose those opportunities later in life. Students at a large Midwestern U.S. university (N = 248) reported how often they do or try something because they will not be able to do it later as an adult and listed examples of those activities. A majority of students (76%) listed at least one such behavior. Analysis of the listed behaviors uncovered 8 thematic categories: (a) travel/adventure, (b) social events, (c) alcohol/tobacco/drug use, (d) relationships, (e) carefree lifestyle, (f) sports/action, (g) academic/career, and (h) independence/ personal expression. Implications for studies of emerging adulthood development and risk-taking are discussed.

Key Words: emerging adulthood • college • development • risk • future • time perspective

Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 24, No. 3, 376-396 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0743558409334254
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