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Student Life

20 Life Lessons In 20 Years Of Life

If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.

Erica Hanna

Apr 03, 2018

University of Oklahoma

118

Google

Ahh, my 20^th birthday has arrived! I feel excited about it, but also a little sad. For the first time, my age beings with the letter 2 and I’m officially out of my teens. I’ve learned a lot in the 2 decades I’ve been alive. I feel like I've learned a lot of valuable lessons so here are the 20 lessons I’ve learned in the 20 years of my life so far:

1. You will never get anything on the first try.

2. No one else is going to make you happy, you have to be happy with yourself first.

3. There is a brand new start every single day. One year equals three hundred and sixty-five new opportunities.

4. If you want to do something, then do it. You don’t want to look back on your life and regret not taking a chance.

5. You deserve the best of the best. The respect and love that you show yourself will show others how to treat you.

6. People will love you. People will hate you. And none of it will have anything to do with you.

7. If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.

8. Do it, because someone told you that you couldn't.

9. Chase your dreams and goals.

10. Remind yourself that it's okay to not be perfect.

11. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to enemies, but it takes just as much to stand up for what you believe in.

12. It is important to take a step back every so often in order to breathe. You need to learn that it is okay to let go and trust that everything will work out.

13. Don't beat yourself up for not knowing something. You did not know and that is okay because you will grow and learn from it.

14. You were born to be real, not perfect.

15. Don't ever give up on anything.

16. Be proud of who you are.

17. Stay away from negativity.

18. If it's meant to be then it'll be.

19. Forgive and forget is the best medicine.

20. Get out of your head and into your heart, think less and do more.

I don't have regrets in my life, they're just lessons learned. Every day is a new day and a new start to better yourself for the future. Work hard, dream big, chase those dreams and always do the best that you can.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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20 Life Lessons In 20 Years Of Life

If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.

1. You will never get anything on the first try.

2. No one else is going to make you happy, you have to be happy with yourself first.

3. There is a brand new start every single day. One year equals three hundred and sixty-five new opportunities.

4. If you want to do something, then do it. You don’t want to look back on your life and regret not taking a chance.

5. You deserve the best of the best. The respect and love that you show yourself will show others how to treat you.

6. People will love you. People will hate you. And none of it will have anything to do with you.

7. If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.

8. Do it, because someone told you that you couldn't.

9. Chase your dreams and goals.

10. Remind yourself that it's okay to not be perfect.

11. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to enemies, but it takes just as much to stand up for what you believe in.

12. It is important to take a step back every so often in order to breathe. You need to learn that it is okay to let go and trust that everything will work out.

13. Don't beat yourself up for not knowing something. You did not know and that is okay because you will grow and learn from it.

14. You were born to be real, not perfect.

15. Don't ever give up on anything.

16. Be proud of who you are.

17. Stay away from negativity.

18. If it's meant to be then it'll be.

19. Forgive and forget is the best medicine.

20. Get out of your head and into your heart, think less and do more.

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Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

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There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

6. The incredible people I've met

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