Dear 2015,
You have been one of the most exciting years of my life, and the most eventful, too! In January, everything seemed so far off -- graduation, prom, college. But before I knew it, it was March and I was turning 18 and then it was May and I was graduating from high school. Over the summer I visited relatives I hadn't seen since I was 11 and in August I began my first long-distance relationship. In September I moved into college, and in December successfully completed my first semester there. I've grown more in the past 12 months than I have in the previous 18 years. As I bid you adieu, here are just a few of the many lessons I've learned:
1. Taking a day off from school is not the end of the world.
This is coming from someone who had perfect attendance until senior year of high school.
2. I miss cross country.
I never thought I would miss those Monday workouts, Wednesday duel meets, or Saturday long runs...but here we are, and I'd give anything for another season.
3. There are other ways to exercise.
Zumba, kickboxing, yoga -- there are so many more ways to exercise besides running and push-ups. Who knew?!
4. Prom is not the best night of your life.
Prom is awesome, no doubt, but saying it's the "best night of your life" is a huge exaggeration. Fun? Yes. But if I were to do it again, I would focus less on taking the perfect pictures and more on dancing with my fabulous date.
5. Persistence can get you what you want (most of the time).
This year, I learned that a lot of people are awful at communication; they like to leave tasks on their back burner, or they simply forget to get back to you. If you want something done, a politely worded email can go a long way.
6. "Broke college student" is not a myth.
I worked my butt off all summer so that I could have spending money in college and somehow, it's all gone. All I can say is thank goodness for the holidays (and all those cash gifts!).
7. You don't need to memorize every little detail to ace an exam.
All those hours spent studying flashcards can only get you so far. As long as you've mastered the key concepts, common sense will bring you the rest of the way.
8. How to be more optimistic.
Long-distance relationships are hard, but I've learned that the key to success is remembering everything you have to be thankful for. Dwelling on the what-ifs will only drag you down.
9. First impressions are usually wrong.
I've befriended some really great people since coming to college, people who I would have never spoken to in high school -- not by any fault of theirs but rather my awful habit of quickly judging without having ever spoken to a person.
10. Time moves too fast.
Everyone always told me that high school will go by in a flash and it's scary how accurate that is. It truly feels like just yesterday when I was packing up my life into a few plastic bins and moving to college. Now my first semester is over and I can only imagine what I'll feel in four years.
11. Crying in front of people isn't a bad thing.
This year and, in particular, the last couple of months, I've learned to stop using the excuse "I'm just tired." Humans are emotional creatures. What's the sense in hiding it?
12. Don't think too far into the future.
You never know what's ahead. Thinking too much about what could happen takes away from experiences in the present.
13. Take every opportunity you have to see the people you love...
...even if it means taking a six-hour bus ride into NYC for the weekend.
14. When given the opportunity to travel -- take it.
One of the most valuable things we can do over the span of our lives is to see the world. This year, I learned that I would much rather spend money on experiences rather than material items. Saving up money for a trip to Europe is much more gratifying than buying yet another pair of shoes.
15. Relationships are also about the mental and emotional connection you share with someone.
The transition from seeing your significant other every single day to once a month (if that) is crushing. At first, I asked myself what the point of being in a relationship was if we spend more time apart than together. I've learned that, while the physical aspect is very important, relationships are also about the connection and support system you share with another person.
Thank you, 2015 for giving me these valuable life lessons and allowing me to grow as a person. Here's to you, 2016; may the year bring even more peace, happiness, and growth.
