20 is when you are "officially" a real adult- no more "teens." I am one year from legal drinking, two years until I'm feelin' twenty-two, four years from being able to rent a car, and the constant 20 year old phrase, "I beat teen pregnancy!" But there is so much that happens in 20 years. The world is constantly changing with technology, economics, the top 50, fashion, and people. There's a lot that a 20 year old learns in two short decades, but here is a few important things for survival:
1. Naps are important.
The computer works better after you restart it, your brain is the same way.
2. Don't skip class, no matter how tired you are.
Come on it's about an hour. The teacher may only say one important statement the whole class, but it's that statement that will help you pass the exam. You can always take a nap!
3. You only really needed the basics of math.
I constantly stressed out over math class. But in real life you get a calculator unlike my math teachers allowed on tests. It also is not as difficult as my teachers made it to be!
4. Give yourself 24 hours.
If you get angry, upset or irritated about what someone said or did, give it 24 hours. Think of the right words, don't say your words out anger because you will never get to take those back.
5. Take a break and paint.
Art therapy is real. It will help you get through the week, month or semester. It is a pass time that gives back! You become relaxed and have a beautiful piece to hang on your wall.
6. Traveling is really important.
From a smooth trip to a disaster of a trip, from the short road trips to the 16+ airplane rides, you will learn so much about the world and yourself. Traveling tests your adaption skills which are important to have in a changing society like today. So go explore past your backyard!
7. Volunteer.
At this point in time, we are working on becoming the leaders of the world tomorrow. We should be following instructions and learning about the community around us, it'll be ours someday. This is the time we need to be giving back, we may not have as many chances later on.
8. Take lots of photos.
You'll never be as young as you are today. Your future kids will want to see what life was like in today's age. You're a part of history! Document it!
9. Laugh often.
Laughing sets off a chemicals that relieve pain and make you relaxed. Laughing reminds you that Life is too short to be sad or upset about something. Laughing is contagious, so start the phenomenon!
10. Go out on a Tuesday!
Don't just live for the weekend! Make everyday worth it.
11. Your favorite words are FREE and CANCELLED.
Free food, class is cancelled, free pens and paper, practice is cancelled, free drinks, your meeting is cancelled... it's always a good day when its free or cancelled.
12. Fake friends are flakey, real friends never leave you alone.
Please don't blow off those friends that will stay up until 5 A.M. talking about the universe, go to brunch with you on Sunday, or drag you to out of your room just to walk around campus. They have made you a priority in their life and they care about you. The friends that make plans and bail, only talk to you when they need something, or don't even ask you how you are doing, probably wont be talking to you next semester.
13. When you go to the doctor, make a list of questions.
You won't always remember everything you need to ask. Make a note of things you have been needing to talk about. You get a short time with your doctor, and he is more reliable than WebMD. These appointments are precious time you get with a professional, don't waste it!
14. Call your grandparents.
If you can visit them, go visit them! God has blessed you with grandparents to love you just as much (maybe more) than your parents. They think about you constantly. Give them a call to remind them how much you love them. You don't how long you'll have them.
15. Keep a photo album/journal.
We live in such a digital world. It's nice to hold you memories. Maybe you need lots of journals! It's nice to keep note what happened. Sometimes it's nice to be able to turn back time for a little bit and get lost in the pages of your own work.
16. Dating for fun isn't fun.
It's not fun to just get your heartbroken just because you're bored. You are at that age where it's time to be thinking about the future. Why would you want to invest so much time into a relationship if you know nothing is going to happen? If you don't see it ever working, let it go.
17. Find something to be passionate about.
Sports, jobs, animals, hobbies, etc. Find that thing that gives you excitement to you get out of bed in the morning. Life is so much harder when you don't have something to get excited and work for.
18. Sometimes, you have to be selfish.
As someone who cares so much for others, there is a line to draw. You have to take care of yourself. You can only give and give so much. You can't expect everyone to treat you the way you treat them. Protect yourself.
20. Mom is the best person in the world.
She knows you better than anyone else. She is way smarter than you thought she was when you where in high school. She loves you with her whole heart. She is definitely the first person you want to split a bottle of wine with next year!
And most importantly...
Don't regret anything.
Everyone makes mistakes. Accept that it happened and move on. Life is too short to harp on the past! But if you think that guy is cute, you should go tell him. He could think the same about you! NO REGRETS!
