Nothing in life is going to be handed to you
If you know someone who is achieving great things, it’s okay to be jealous and want what they want. However, you can’t just want to reach a goal, you have to work for it.
Hard work pays off
When you put in the bare minimum amount of effort to just get by, you’re not going to get the best outcome. You have to put 100% of yourself into everything that you do if you want to be truly satisfied about the end result.
You won’t always get what you want
Sometimes, you will spend hours on a project, study weeks in advance for an exam, or have the best interview of your life… and you won’t get the outcome you want. THIS IS OKAY! Life can’t always work in your favor 100% of the time. As long as you know you did your best, you should be proud of yourself.
Never be afraid to ask for advice
Never be ashamed for needing help. Everyone gets stuck from time to time and that’s completely acceptable. You might be smart, secure with yourself, and know a lot of information, but you can’t do everything on your own. Feel comfortable reaching out to those around you, because they’ve probably had the same question at some point in their life too.
Sometimes there is such a thing as a stupid question
Yes, you should ask questions, but only if you’ve tried everything else first. Don’t rely on other people to give you the answer to a problem, when you are capable of figuring it out on your own. Give yourself more credit; you’re smarter than you think.
Value other’s opinions
At this point in your life you’ve been through a lot, but so has everyone else around you. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and they have all experienced different things that have shaped who they are. Don’t be closed minded, because there is so much to learn from the people around you. Always be accepting of those around you, regardless of whether your viewpoints line up.
But stick by what you believe in
Don’t let someone force you to believe something. Whether it be a parent who forces political views, a friend who wants you to hate someone, or a professor who wants you to change your opinion on a paper… Stay true to yourself. Always be open minded, but don’t allow people to manipulate you to feel the same way about a topic just for their personal gain.
Don’t burn bridges
Everyone in your life has been put there for a reason. You won’t always get along with someone, and maybe they’re not going to be in your life forever. However, you don’t want to permanently cut your ties to someone. You never know what someone will end up going through, so you don’t want to shut them off completely incase they need you, or vice versa.
Be brutally honest
Be honest to yourself, and to those around you. Life is to short to spend extra time on keeping up with the lies you tell others. Being honest doesn’t make you a bitch, and the people who are really your friends will respect you for it.
It’s okay to walk away
If a situation you’re in doesn’t make you happy, don’t stick around and waste your time. You’re better than that. It’s okay to walk away from a relationship, a college major, and even a sport. Do what makes you happy; these few years of college are precious and you shouldn’t throw them away doing something that you’re no longer passionate about.
Explore your options
Don’t be afraid to change. Try new things and figure out what is right for you. We spend 18 years of our lives being guided by our parents, and all of a sudden we’re on our own. It’s easy to get stuck in the motions of what you were told as a child, but be comfortable enough to experiment and try out new things. You should aim to discover who you truly are.
Take your time making decisions
Take your time to make big decisions. College is a short 4 years where you’re expected to know what you want to do and lay the foundation for the rest of your life. Don’t feel rushed, take it slow and steady and make the right decision for you. Don’t let parents, friends, professors, and boyfriends or girlfriends influence you. You have to make these big choices for yourself, because at the end of the day you’re the one who has to live with it.
Don’t compare your beauty to someone else’s
We are all beautiful humans, whether you’re black, white, Hispanic, purple, or pink. Society has set many unrealistic standards of beauty that people aspire to reach. Don’t compare yourself to others and say, “I really wish I looked like ____.” You’re perfect the way you are, and so is that person. There’s no reason to compare and contrast.
Be comfortable in your own skin
You are who you are; don’t let someone judge you for it. You have grown into a wonderful young adult, and you should own it. Walk confidently through life, and hold your head high.
Feel free to change your mind
You're in your early 20’s; it’s unrealistic to expect yourself to always make the right choice the first time. Try new things, and if they don’t work out for you, try something new. It’s okay to be indecisive; we have the rest of our lives to have everything completely figured out (although that probably won’t happen).
Time Heals Everything
You just have to give the time some time. Sometimes life gets you down, but you have to realize that it gets better. It takes time to be fully healed, and that time will make you stronger.
Have Fun
Life is to short to always be worried. Take a break from studying and go out with your friends. Don’t ever let someone hold you back. Do whatever makes you happy!
Make Peace with your past so it doesn’t spoil your present
Fix friendships that went awry. Don’t lose contact with your family. Don’t let the negative aspects of your past grow. Fix what can be fixed so you can continue to move forward.
Respect yourself
“Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.” –Robert Tew
Always do what is best for yourself. Know what it takes for you to be mentally and physically strong.
Be unapologetically you
At the end of the day, be true to who you are, and who you want to be. Like who you want, and do what you enjoy to do, no matter what. Never be sorry for who you are. Stand tall and be proud.
