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10 Things I've Learned in My 20 Years of Life

Reflecting On The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly As I Say Goodbye To My Teens (Yikes).

Kam Romano

Feb 19, 2019

Michigan State University

157

10 Things I've Learned in My 20 Years of Life

NBC

As I enter my birth-week, (whoop whoop) I decided I should bid a proper adieu to my teenage years. Your 20s are supposed to be the best time of your life...right? Either way, I'd love to share life lessons, no matter how stupid they may sound, that will allow me (and anyone who wants to try them out) to welcome a new year of life with optimism and a glaring lack of bullshit.

1. Order the burger, forget the salad

I don't care if Spring Break is the next week, you don't need to cleanse or diet to the extent that you drool over a picture of a burger. In the grand scheme of things, you will be so much happier that you enjoyed a filling meal with your friends instead of looking .5 inches thinner in your bikini picture.

2. Stay up the extra hour later to hang out with your friends

Whether you're tired or have some homework to finish up, you can't replace the 1 a.m. memories you make with your friends. Sitting in a room and talking, or just running around f**king shit up-those are the moments you can never get back. You will get your homework done and you will still graduate, I promise.

3. Talk to the person next to you in class

Everyone in your lecture hall is just as miserable as you. Getting through a semester is a LOT better with someone to talk to and do homework with. You may surprise yourself and make a lifelong friend-I made two best friends because I was brave enough to talk on the first day and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

4. Take every stupid, spontaneous opportunity

Don't be the shy one that sits back and watch, be the person that grabs the microphone and does karaoke in front of an entire restaurant. Shake the guest speaker's hand and give them your number for an internship. Dance on a table... sober. Life is too short to not.

5. Don't be a shit-talker, be that annoying, positive person

No one will ever hate you for boosting them up TOO much. If you have something to vent about, do it! Don't keep it all in. But never maliciously say something that you wouldn't say to someone's face. Tell your feelings to someone you're frustrated with so you can get over it and just be happy.

6. DO NOT hold grudges

It is so not worth your energy. Let someone go if they are really that bad, but I'm totally a sucker for second chances.

7. Don't give up what you love because you're "getting older"

If you love drawing, do it every day. Post pictures of it. Be proud of it. I was a dancer my whole life, and ever since the first day of college, I've missed it. I've found ways to keep it in my life, and it is such a stress-reliever. Do what you love every day. Make a career of it if you can! Shit, I hope these articles make me famous so this can be my job.

8. Give the people you love lots of attention, even if they act like they don't want it

If your friend is in a mood, they might not want to wallow in their sadness alone. Squeeze them and make them watch funny videos with you. Take them to Starbucks and jam out the whole way there. It's much better than walking away and letting their shit day get shitter.

9. Wear whatever the f you want

Don't check your friend's outfits before you go out. Wear what you feel good in. I'm the first one to wear a bright yellow outfit when everyone else is (slaying) in black. Buy something fun, if you wear it with confidence, you'll always look trendy.

10. Just laugh it off

If you embarrass yourself, fail one quiz, or say something dumb in front of everyone, don't let it make you feel lesser than. Laugh it off, there is so much more to life than staying quiet and letting a bad feeling consume you. If it helps, sometimes I look up how big the universe is in comparison to Earth and I remember how irrelevant stupid shit is.

I'm going into this year with an open-mind and badass attitude, and even if it's not your birthday, reinvent yourself to do the same! Hit me up with any life lessons I haven't realized or hit me up with a birthday present. I like Taco Bell, Starbucks, and Gucci. Thanks!

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10 Things I've Learned in My 20 Years of Life

Reflecting On The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly As I Say Goodbye To My Teens (Yikes).

1. Order the burger, forget the salad

2. Stay up the extra hour later to hang out with your friends

3. Talk to the person next to you in class

4. Take every stupid, spontaneous opportunity

5. Don't be a shit-talker, be that annoying, positive person

6. DO NOT hold grudges

7. Don't give up what you love because you're "getting older"

8. Give the people you love lots of attention, even if they act like they don't want it

9. Wear whatever the f you want

10. Just laugh it off

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

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

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