This past year, I turned 20. I realized that although I had trekked through two decades, I had a lot to learn. Luckily, I also realized that I am surrounded by a lot of people who were also once 20, and they had a few words of wisdom to send my way.

I asked 20 people ranging in age from 22 to 81 (all who will remain anonymous) what they had wished they could have told themselves when they were 20 years old. Some surprised me, some made me laugh, and some made me think. Find the list below.

1. "Believe in yourself or no one else will." Age 47.

2. "He is going to leave. You are going to fall apart. You are going to recover." Age 31.

3. "Don’t be enamored by what people say they have. Be enamored with what people actually bring to the table.” Age 22.

4. "Stop thinking you're fat. Be comfortable in your own skin, because in your 40's you will wish you had your 20-year-old body.” Age 47.

5. "One day you are going to meet a girl. She is going to blow you away with her brain, her wit, and her smile. She is going to demand more of you than anyone else you've ever met, because she deserves more from you than anyone else you've ever met. It will be hard, it will exhaust you. But, I swear to God, if you let her go -- you will never stop regretting it." Age 87.

6. “Enjoy being young and in college while you are. Don't rush to graduate to get into the real world. Stay out late, go to that party you really didn't want to go to, go on spring break with all your friends and wear stupid matching shirts. Those are all the things that matter right now, nothing else.” Age 23.

7. "Date the high school football star. Marry the geek.” Age 47.

8. "If you get a chance to travel. Take it.” Age 52.

9. "Stop obeying every rule. Have fun! Life is short. You'll regret the things you didn't do because of a boy or, because you were scared. Let loose.” Age 38.

10. "Everything will be OK in the end. If it isn't OK, then it's not the end.” Age 47.

11. "Sometimes God puts certain people in your life just so you know what loss feels like for the rest of your life. Don't confuse a lesson for love." Age 29.

12. "Timing is everything." Age 48.

13. "If he cared, he would call." Age 39.

14. "Love your life. Every. Single. Minute." Age 73.

15. "No matter what choice you make, people are going to have something to say about it. Do whatever the hell you want anyway." Age 32.

16. "Get on that plane." Age 65.

17. "When it truly comes from your heart, you can say anything." Age 47.

18. "Life's never easy. Get a thicker skin." Age 30.

19. "Don't let people walk all over you. If someone hurts you, demand an apology. If they don't apologize, cut them out of your life. Life is short. Friends are few." Age 81.

20. "Everything in your life happens to bring you to where you are supposed to be." Age 47.