Major milestones like the PSLE, O Levels, and getting the first boyfriend/girlfriend are given enough attention by our parents and the media.

How about little personal achievements that we don't necessarily run home to share with our parents?

Maybe they were not significant enough to warrant anything more than raised eyebrows from adults, but these milestones meant something to us nonetheless.

So as you go through this list, take some time to close your eyes and think real hard, you may just be able to relive these mini-milestones through your mind's eye:

1.

If I remember correctly, this transition occurs during Primary 3. And when you graduate to using pens, it also means learning how to write cursive. Remember tracing all those letters in your Pets workbook? It was also super fun to be able to start using liquid paper!

2.

This usually happens when you're done with your PSLE. Or maybe you had a rich classmate who wanted to celebrate his/her birthday with some overnight partying at a chalet.

Fun times were had with beach soccer, half-cooked chicken wings and staying up late to tell ghost stories.

And when the adults left, that's when the cans of Jolly Shandy appear.

3.

You may have had to lie to your parents that you were going to the neighbourhood library to 'study' for this one. But who cares?

Back then, people honoured their outing agreements. If the plan was to meet at 12 sharp at the control station, it meant just that.

There wasn't WhatsApp for you to say 'Eh sorry, my dog died last minute. Have to pangseh you. Sorry sorry!'.

4.

Whether you paid with coins or the Transitlink card, it was a big thing when you learnt how to take the bus by yourself.

When you look out of the bus window, your mother/father is probably at the bus stop waving goodbye to you.

Hits you right in the feels.

5.

Long before computer games came up with the achievement unlocking systems, young Singaporeans grew bean sprouts, ran around collecting leaves and did many other things to earn these achievements young scientist badges.

How many of you pinned these loud and proud on your uniform collars?

6.

07734 = Hello

14 = Hi

1134_2_09 = Go to hell

143 = I love you

17_31707_1 = I love you

512 - 我爱你 (I love you)

532 - 我想你 (I miss you)

748 - 去死吧 (Go and die)

7. 

Remember how rich you felt as a kid when you first saw the years of accumulated ang bao money in your bank account? Even if it is $200.

Did you feel that you had immense power with your NETS card? Like you could own the world?

I want that feeling back.

8.

The first time your curfew was lifted was probably not celebrated much as a milestone. But it represented not having to worry about rushing back home. Now the only worry is if you'll miss the Night Rider bus and risk having to take midnight-charge taxis.

9.

This transition was a big deal for many. It represented our attempt to ditch our adolescence to become pseudo-adults. If only we actually did adult things like earn a salary and pay the bills.

Which brings us to the last point ...

10.

Some people blew their first pay on stuff like Sonia Rykiel bags or Versace jeans. Others realised how hard it was working for $3.50 to $5 per hour and decided to save up.

Regardless of which group you belonged to, the sense of achievement of putting in hard work to earn your own money was probably the same. It felt good.

If you liked this article, you may like these:

16 pictures from 90s Singapore to make you curl up and cry

12 classic lines your parents used to scream at you