With every encounter and challenge in life, a lesson is more than likely to be learned. In one year, 365 days, I graduated high school, I left home, I moved into college, and I finished my first semester. I had so many battles, but I also had so many triumphs. I had so many firsts and so many lasts, and with those, I learned so many lessons.
As I turn 19, I chose to reflect on the importance of 18 and cherish it as I age another year:
1. Just try your best.
If you try your best and you don't succeed, at least you know you did everything in your power. Don't have regrets because you could've done more.
2. Don't wish time away.
Take every experience day by day and be thankful for it, especially high school. I remember constantly saying I couldn't wait to graduate and, while I love college, I do miss my friends. Don't wish it away because I guarantee you one day you will regret it.
3. It's okay not to have a plan.
What is meant to happen will happen so if nothing is going as planned, just go with the flow. Everything works itself out. Take things as they come, you don't have to have the next four years planned out perfectly because chances are things won't happen that way.
4. Mental health comes first.
This is so important! Nothing is more important than your sanity or mental health. Do not work yourself into a breakdown over a job or school. You come first. Take a break and relax.
5. Don't settle.
If you have even the slightest thought that you deserve better whether at a job or in a relationship, then you are probably right. Know your self-worth!
6. Family is everything.
Friends come and go, but family is always there no matter what. Be thankful for your family and support them when they need it most, you'd want the same in return.
7. Save your money.
College is extremely stressful, but if you have some money saved up that is one less thing you have to constantly stress about. Emergencies happen and it's just the responsible thing to do. Learn how to save, you'll be glad you did later.
8. Don't cancel plans.
If I canceled plans every time I didn't feel like doing something I would never leave the house, but once you get out you have fun and forget about not wanting to go at all. Be with your friends as much as possible while you are all still together. If you don't, you'll miss out on the best times of your life.
9. Friends shouldn't make you feel insignificant.
If your friends make you feel small and excluded, get new friends.
10. If someone wants to be in your life, they'll prove it.
You shouldn't have to fight for someone to stay in your life. If they want it they will find a way to get it, no excuses.
11. Long-distance relationships are manageable.
There's a stigma that long-distance relationships are doomed and will never work. You have to be with the right person and you have to have trust. It's not easy, but if you want it, you can handle it.
12. No one can tell you what to believe in.
You can have your own opinion. Don't be afraid if your beliefs differ from those of the people around you.
13. Embrace change.
Change is destined to happen, and it will not wait for you to be okay with it. Be open to it because you might really need change and you're just not aware of it. Also, being open to change prepares you for anything life throws at you.
14. It really is the little things.
Little things people do for/to you should stick out to you the most and tell you about who that person really is. This could be good or bad.
15. Nothing is permanent.
This is one of the best and worst things about life. If you are struggling and having the hardest time of your life, it is not permanent. You will overcome it and things will change. However, once things become good again and you are at a high, that is not permanent either, you will come back down. This also goes for the people in your life. Toxic people will make your way out of your life but so will the people you love.
16. Don't push things off till tomorrow.
You will feel so much better if you get things done today instead of procrastinating. This will create a habit and you will never do what you say you will.
17. You need to be able to take criticism.
Criticism isn't always a negative thing— sometimes you need it in order to grow. Learn how to take it and change from it.
18. Learn how to apologize.
Learn how to apologize even when you don't thing you are wrong. Sometimes you have to be the bigger person in order to move on. It shows maturity.
19. Be someone your parents are proud of.
If you constantly think if a decision you make will make your parents proud then you will be making the right decision. Do the right thing for the ones who raised you, make them proud. Show them the type of person you are.
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