Grey's Anatomy is back, and I could not be happier. Cue the unanimous "Grey's is my actual life" and "I honestly think I could perform a Whipple Procedure after watching it." Not only is the plot addictive and genius, but the characters are captivating. Each one of them associates with the viewers as a whole, which essentially leads to viewers seeing a connection with their favorite character and themselves.
For myself, that character is Cristina Yang: she's hardcore, brilliant, lacking emotions, over-powering a male-dominated field, blunt, sarcastic, and values herself. She's my type of person, and everything I aspire to be. Now I may not know how to perform a Whipple or know exactly how to "push one of epi," but I do know I have learned 19 life lessons from Cristina Yang that every woman in college needs to realize, and soon.
1. Learn to value people who value you for something other than your physical looks. There's much more to you than a pretty face.
2. Have goals, write them down every day, and do everything in your power to make them happen.
3. Get rid of anything or anyone that is hindering you from being great.
4. Work on building up your self-confidence. You will learn to be yourself comfortably, be confident when making impactful decisions, and you will begin take control of your life.
5. You have the power to change the day, your life, and how you react to each situation you're put into.
6. Don't allow someone to influence your decisions. This is your life first; you deserve to be selfish every once in awhile.
7. A little mystery goes a long way in life. It keeps readers interested and secrets safe, there's nothing wrong with being a closed book.
8. There might be a time that you feel everyone is turning on you and your world is falling apart. Don't buy into it. We all struggle, some more than others, but hardships are inevitable in life.
9. Don't think of it as a bad thing if someone tells you that you are "lacking feelings" or that you have "a black soul." Some of us just aren't equipped to deal with emotions.
10. This one speaks for itself, sometimes it just needs to happen. 
11. Figure out your priorities now. It's much easier to get into the groove of things early on than try and find yourself all over again later in life.
12. We all have a past. If you let what has happened to you define you, you will never grow from it. You have to deal with what's holding you back in order to move forward. 
13. Trust your instincts, and stand by them even if it's not the popular opinion. You felt that way for a reason.
14. You're going to lose people you care about. And your world will shatter right in front of your eyes. It won't be easy and you won't be the same after it happens, but eventually it will be slightly bearable to deal with. 
15. Learn fairly quickly what events are worth going to and which ones aren't.
16. Too many of us are left feeling like this after a relationship. You're lost, broken, and left feeling empty because somebody has taken everything from you. If you find yourself at rock bottom, take a deep breath because it is okay. Many of us have been at rock bottom for plenty of time, and it now gives you the opportunity to build yourself back up to the person who you want to become. It's going to take time, and it's going to be hard. Maybe one of the hardest things you've ever done, but it is worth it because you are worth it. 
17. Know when to let people leave your life. If they want out, they had no business being a part of it in the first place. 
18. Learn to recognize when you need to ask for help. Not all battles can be fought by yourself; it's okay to show that you're human just like everyone else.
19. Never forget this:
Thank you Cristina Yang for constantly inspiring so many of us Grey's Anatomy addicts; you are a hardcore woman who demands respect just as we all should.
