If you could talk to your 18-year-old self, what would you say?
In the few years after you become a legal adult, a lot of monumental changes happen. You go to college, you meet an array of new people, you make new friends and you go through a ton of new experiences. As time goes on, you become older and wiser. And though I am barely two years past the age of 18, I think I may be a little bit wiser today than I was then.
Here’s my advice to my younger self.
1. Take pictures.
As the weekends blur together and college nights turn into days gone by, you will be thankful for taking an extra second to save that stupid Snapchat selfie or get a good picture of the whole group. You'll be happy to have something to look back on when you move forward, or at least you'll have something to show your kids one day when you try to convince them that you used to be "cool" and "fun."
2. Get people's phone numbers.
It seems kinda lame and self-explanatory, but get people's phone numbers! Don't be afraid to "slide into their DMs" or straight-up ask them. You are opening up a line of communication, and that's important as you grow up and develop more dynamically important relationships.
3. Don't post inappropriate pictures on social media.
You've been told it before, and you'll be told it again. Don't post photos that you wouldn't want you mom, your aunt from downstate and your future employer to see. Ambiguous cups with stir straws in hand in darkly lit places are one thing. Shot glasses, funnels, marijuana paraphernalia, and 30 racks are another.
4. Keep in touch.
Even if it's as simple as shooting your old high school gal pal a text when you see a tweet that reminds you of her, do it. People appreciate being thought of, and even if time passes, a good friend is never far away. You will meet a lot of new people, especially throughout your twenties when your life is evolving so quickly, so embrace the new and old alike, and send that text, post that comment, or make that phone call without hesitation.
5. Kiss him anyway.
Your life will be full of highs and lows, people who come and go and nights that go by too fast. So, don't be afraid to kiss the boy, because every princess needs to kiss a few frogs before she can find her prince. Just do it because you can.
6. Let “why not” be a good enough reason, sometimes.
You are young, wild and free, baby! If you need a reason to do something, ask yourself, "Why not?" If you're conscience doesn't resist it too much, go for it, because you might never get the chance again.
7. Take care of your hair.
Trim it, use products that make it stronger, and don't burn it with curling irons and straighteners. You want it to be long and beautiful for your wedding one day. Frying and dying it all the time is not going to get you there.
8. Laugh at the things you can't change.
You will meet people who suck, and you will meet people who are amazing. It will make things a lot easier if you accept that sometimes people suck a little and sometimes you can't change the world. Laugh at it instead, smile as you walk away, and take it with stride.
9. Never compromise yourself to please others.
There is a huge difference between being a good friend or peer and being used. Learn that difference; you never want to be used.
10. Figure out a six-month plan.
And stick to it. I know you barely know what you’re going to have for your next meal, let alone where you will be in six months. But the sooner you begin goal setting, the better, and six months is a good time-frame for realistic goals, both small and large.
11. Seek to understand and like others first.
Stop being selfish (even though you don't think you are). Listen to others and live on a quest to truly understand the people and things around you. With this, you will better understand yourself.
12. Never hit snooze more than twice.
Just because it isn't a good habit to get into. I have slept through way too many alarms.
13. Don't skip class.
I didn’t skip much anyway because I like talking in class too much. But honestly, skipping class in college is not only a waste of your money, but also of your time. The little joy you gain from skipping class today, is not worth the four hours extra it takes you to teach yourself later.
14. Spend a little more money on better quality shoes and clothes.
You are getting to the point when you need to look professional. Your clothes needs to fit right, be clean and be worn properly. It’s just one of those life things that needs to start being a priority sooner rather than later.
15. Take care of your car.
Because it’s your first baby and the first thing you'll really call your own. Give her a name, keep her clean and don’t text and drive.
16. Learn how to read an analog clock.
Because your Michael Kors watch is really cute, and people will make fun of you if you can’t read it.
17. Learn how to see people realistically.
This one is HUGE. While it is amazing to see the best in people, don’t get carried away. Understand what you want someone to mean to you before you invest yourself in them emotionally. If you understand who they actually are realistically, you will learn to love all of the goodness in them, while also appreciating their bad side.
18. Pick the top five most important things in your life and prioritize them.
As you journey into adulthood, you have to make more choices. Thin lines begin to form between categories (school, family, work, extracurricular activities, friends and partying, to name a few). Pick your favorites, and put them in order. The perfect balance is impossible, and you will be miserable forever if you don’t pick which ones you hold the greatest value.
These next few years are just the beginning of it all for you. You are becoming your own person and creating the life that you want. You will need help from others along the way, but you will create your own independence. You have the power and freedom of choice, so take these little tips and create your dreams.
