My birthday was December 3, and I finally turned 20. I have so many things to be grateful for, and things I have learned. I cannot believe I am no longer a teenager — but my parents are more in shock since for the first time in 6 years they won't have a teenager in the house. I cannot wait to learn so many more things while I still have time on this earth, and I just want to thank everyone that has helped me make these discoveries, good or bad, either way I could not have done it without you! This is all about the 20 things I have learned with my 20 years on this earth. But even if you are well over 100, I am sure you can relate to learning these things.

1. Talk in a "big girl" voice.

I cannot tell you how many times I was told this growing up! Of course, it was probably more annoying for my parents and siblings to tell me this rather than for me to hear it. This was not only something I learned as a child, but it is something useful as a now 20 year old! If I wanted to be considered a big girl, then I should talk like one. Being that I am only 4 feet 10 inches, I do have to make sure I speak up and make sure I do not get looked over — it literally does occur. Luckily, this is not too difficult for me; I was blessed with a decently loud voice and a big personality. However, using my "big girl voice" is not always the easiest, but it's something I have learned to do and to appreciate.

2. Family is everything.

If I have learned anything from all my years on this earth, it is that your family is all you need. We have been through many struggles. Losing a family member is like having your heart being torn out, but with family we got through! They are my backbone and who I can count on to pick me up. I have a relatively large family with roughly 28 cousins, but I know and love every single one. I would not be who and where I am now if it were not for my family and the love they show and have taught me!

3. Friends are family.

Along with family being everything, friends can join the family and become a part of your everything! I have so many friends and my family have their own friends that have also become a part of the family! My parents have two close friends that are my aunt and uncle. They have been there for my family through so many things, and if we are hurting they are as well. I hope that some day the friends I hold most dear to my heart now will become aunts and uncles to my children.

4. Some friends aren't forever.

Although I am the type of person that believes that after high school you will stay in touch with all of those friends you had, this has been something I have learned. Social media has been helpful for me to have a little interaction with those friends. Sometimes if a friend says you are their best friend forever, they may only mean for right now. I have not had to deal with this too often, but there are some friends that decide along the way that it is no longer time to be your best friend and you have to accept that and move along!

5. Be sweet.

There is a family inside joke to say, "be sweet." My uncle tries to jokingly say this to his children when they would start to get annoyed with each other, but this does have a good lesson behind it. I always try to be sweet or kind to everyone I meet. You never know what battle someone is fighting and being kind and smiling can go a long way.

6. Everything happens for a reason.

Although at the moment it may not feel like your life is going well, the things that are happening will allow for better days ahead. I am always so amazed at how things just happen and how I made the friends I have. I always wonder what it would be like if I went to a big university instead of Salisbury University but then I realize I would have never met and made the friends I have. I may have a different major if I went to another college so although this is not that serious of a matter I came to Salisbury for a reason and I am so happy this was the college I chose.

7. Take it easy.

This is another family joke, it is from "Nacho Libre" and it applies to my life all the time! I am not patient what so ever, so sometimes I have to remind myself to take it easy. This also applies for a few other things; It is important to pace yourself. I am a very fast eater and taking it easy with food is also extremely important, I sometimes get hiccups because I eat so fast as well as my stomach hurting so sometimes it is just take it easy with life!

8. Be-You-tiful.

I know this is a complete cliche but I like it for a couple of reasons. One, it helps me spell as well as reminds me to be myself; I really do not have that much of an issue with that but I think it is something to remember! Two, think it is important to remind yourself that you really are beautiful, inside and out! It is important that beauty is yours and that you are staying true to yourself.

9. Presence(t)s.

So one I am a huge fan of presents I know they are not really what matter but I love them! I love to buy them I love to get them and I love when others get them! But more important than that is to be present and not just physically! I have learned it is important to be present at all events even the silly meaningless ones. Especially today it is hard with our phones but I still find time to be in the moment with my friends and family!

10. Never grow up.

I know that Peter Pan has told you this before, but you should never be too serious at least all the time! The world is a beautiful place and I have learned it is even more beautiful if you look at it with the eyes of a child.

11. Stay strong.

I have dealt with this many times. I have a hard time staying strong and sticking to what goals I am trying to reach or the obligations I committed to! This also applies to being sick or working out it is important to push yourself and believe you will get better!

12. Don't care.

Don't harp too much on what others say, I know this kind of contradicts what I just said but along with be-you-tiful — Be yourself and love what you choose! I have worn some really outrageous things, usually it makes sense, but still I can leave the house confident. Then, once I get there I become so concerned about what others are thinking! I know I have to work on this and it is helpful that once I am there I can't really go back so I have to tough it out!

13. Rely on your fans.

I love fans, I have to have one on at night all the time just to go to sleep. But these aren't the fans I am talking about, I am talking about the people that lift you up! Your fans are the friends that have been through it all with you! I know people say if you are really best friends they are honest and sometimes honesty hurts but they are still you fans! It is important that these people do lift you up but let you know when maybe it is time to let go or change your outfit!

14. Relax!

It is always important to take sometime for yourself and recoup after a rough week or you just want a break! I love showers sometimes I want to take more than one just to relax and if you are concerned about slacking off, a shower is a great way to relax and get something that must be done, done! I am not talking about procrastinating, although I have fallen in this trap, it is important to limit your relaxing so you do not fall behind!

15. Be open.

Who hasn't judged someone before? I know I am guilty but that is what society has done to us. When ever I realize that I may be judging someone I try to remind myself to be open. I don't know who they are and sure enough they could end up being my new best friend! Since society has put so many labels on things it is difficult not to think that way but be self-aware and try to stop once you start.

16. Move on.

I have a really hard time with this. I am someone that really just needs a person to tell me that we are no longer friends or they do not want to talk to me. I can't say this is an often occurrence but it has happened, and I hope it doesn't happen to you. You just have to remind yourself to block out the haters and live your life. If they do not want your time do not give it to them by wallowing!

17. Say no.

This is probably the toughest thing for me. I am always wanting to be there for my friends, but sometimes I can't and I have to learn to tell them that. I often overfill my plate and luckily nothing disastrous has occurred, but it is important to realize that you cannot do everything!

18. Love the little things.

This is something I love to say since I am only 4-foot-10! But it is important to share in the life you are living! Little things are helpful when you just need to relax, it is nice to reflect on the day and remember the food you got to have for lunch just because it was your favorite or the 10 minutes you got out of class early!

19. Have fun.

Always enjoy life! Have fun, be yourself and don't let the judgement of others slow you down! This is your life and you need to live it your way!

20. Keep learning.

Never stop learning, they say you learn something new everyday and sometimes it is the most random thing you have ever heard or sometimes it is something about your best friend you never knew!