1. Your friends will change, and quite rapidly. That's okay. It means you're changing and growing.
I started to realize this when I was in high school, even - specifically in my senior year. That was the year I blossomed, and it seemed to progress right into college and kept getting better and better from there. I have had great friends, and we had a lot of fun times spent together, made memories, had inside jokes. But at the very end of it all, there was something not strong enough, and they weren't worthy of being a good friend in the long run. And then, I thought that there was something wrong with me, because I was losing so many friends, cutting so many people off. It was unlike me. I was usually the anxious people pleaser, and I was shocked and amazed at the same time to see myself not really caring - and caring more about myself. It was a sign that I was growing and I was going to take any nonsense from anyone for that matter. I was proud of myself, and I am. It happens, and it's nothing to be sad about. In fact, if you're really not that sad about it, I guess that's a sign that it wasn't that special anyway. As you progress through college, you will meet your "person" or your people. You'll make lifetime friendships that you will be eternally grateful for. Just you wait. :)
2. It's not worth stressing over your GPA.
I'm all serious now, and I care SO SO much right now that I mentally and physically drain myself sometimes. My friends and family notice it, and even people who have only known me for five minutes tell me that I need to relax and breathe, and to give myself some love. But then I go "But if I stop and relax, I'm not working, and I'm being lazy, and then I'll be a failure." Just the other day, I received a B+ on a quiz for my Intro to Language Studies class and freaked out. I've never been that person. Grades aren't the end of the world. Yes, they're important, but most internships and jobs don't look at that. They look at your personality traits, your work ethic, determination and your goals. Figuring all of this out was like a total revelation for me. I thought, "Huh. Wow. I really am going to be okay", and then everything seems to be okay. So if you're stressing out about your GPA and getting all the best grades, don't sweat it. College is one hell of a trip, and you made it this far, so give yourself a break. That's what I am trying to do right now.
3. Don't stay out past 2 a.m. Weird things happen.
I honestly don't know how this came to be, but it's just a rule of thumb. It's something every college student slash young adult should know. It's straight out of the twenty-something handbook. We've seen this in movies, but yes, these weird antics that you don't want to remember in the morning also occur in real life. Don't underestimate anything, people! And don't question it . . . just don't stay out past 2 a.m.!
4. If you need to be in college for a few extra years, so be it.
There are some people (not everyone, just some) that knock the idea of being a "super senior" or staying in college for a few more years just to achieve that bachelors degree or whatever. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and a lot of people are becoming "non traditional, if that's what you want to call it. Don't rush through college just to get to that dream internship, or that dream career. I know it sounds exciting to get out of college as soon as you can - because classes just aren't doing it anymore - and you want nothing but to begin your life. However, if you take your time, things will fall into place. I'm learning that right now. I'm at Sophomore standing, even though I am technically a Junior. I have a feeling I'm going to be here for a little bit, but that means I am committed and serious about my education. So don't worry!
5. It's okay to stand up for yourself. In fact, it's great.
Just because you're standing up for yourself doesn't mean you're a mean, terrible person. You're a human, too, and you deserve to say what is on your mind. Don't hide away just for the sake of making other people happy. If anyone makes you feel awful about standing up for what you believe in, just take that as a sign that they're insecure, judgmental people. In your twenties, you're going to run into A LOT of situations where people are going to try to take advantage of you, and also make you feel totally crumby. But you have a voice. You can take care of yourself. Most of this has to do with self love.
6. Don't feel the need to grow up fast and get into a serious relationship just because.
I've mentioned this in previous articles that I've written, and I still believe in it. Most of Millennials, or Generation Y individuals are pairing off quiet young, getting married and settling down, getting serious and not taking enough time for themselves. When you're twenty-one, you can feel extremely lonely because it's seems as though everyone has gone off and found someone. It's almost as though nobody is single. Obviously, that's not the case, but either way it feels that way. That's how I felt, and still do feel in college. I've honestly gotten really depressed about it, because everywhere I went, people were holding hands and displaying major amounts of public displays of affections. (Yes, "ew" in my head every time. Don't pretend you're not one of those people, too.) Don't let this get to your head, and stay true to yourself. Don't rush into some random person's arms for the sake of being with someone and not being alone. It's not worth it, and you deserve the absolute best. Just do you and focus on you, and the right person will come along. Doing this is totally a challenge, and it takes mere strength, but it's so worth it later. 
7. You'll start (hopefully) to not care what people think.
If I could compare myself from age fifteen, to now, the comparisons are super, super SLIM. Like I said, I was "little miss people pleaser, if someone is unhappy and mad at me the world is going to end and I'm going to have a meltdown" teenager. Now . . . we've got new and improved (but still improving, of course) Jules, who is much more comfortable in her skin when it comes to not giving a damn. Obviously humans care what people think, even just a little bit. However, I have lost so much interest in caring what people think about me or what I'm doing with my life that it feels absolutely refreshing. I feel like I'm on cloud 9 sometimes, because the carelessness is as though someone has lifted a huge boulder off of my body. You mature, you learn, and pretty soon the actual important stuff in your life will start to outweigh the petty, immature stuff that doesn't really matter. This girl told me off? Fine, thanks for proving my point on why I don't want anything to do with you, lady. You don't want to be my friend anymore? Well, okay. I'll let you know when I care. Besides that, I'm going to go right back to my life. Again, more revelations and epiphanies! 
8. Dress how you want to.
If I want to wear non-prescribed hipster glasses . . . then I will wear non-prescribed hipster glasses. If I want to wear a sweater that doesn't match my pants, then I WILL DO as I PLEASE. I'm not going to hide the real Julia anymore, because I've made it this far to keep her away from the world. There is so much I want to do, and that comes with expressing myself via style.
9. BE YOURSELF.
I can't say anything more than be yourself. There's no point in changing who you are for the account of people who will probably not mean anything to you in four years or less. You are original, brave, smart, and unique - why would you want to throw all of that away? I have days where I don't like myself, but then I have those crazy awesome days where I think "I wouldn't want to be anyone else but me right now. I love me, issues and mistakes and all. I like how messy I am. I like me. And I am going to keep being me." Own. It. 
10. Don't worry about being "poor".
Helloooooooo young twenty-one year old me! One of the biggest stresses for me is being financial stable, as it a stresser for basically every single college student, or just young adult around the world - unless you're spoiled and fortunate enough to have your parents pay for everything that you do. *glaring at you*. For me, I started my own savings account, and I put all of my tips and parts of my paycheck from my first full time job last summer. I felt satisfied and proud just watching it grow. But when school started, I "accidentally" dipped into my savings here and there for stupid little things. I'm trying to remind myself that I have to pay all this college stuff back, and I get panicky here and there. But that's me being hard on myself. I have to remember that I have a job, and things will fall into place, just if i don't over do it. In the meantime, don't worry about being "poor", and not paying back all of those loans. Just be resourceful now, as much as you can and do what you have to do - because that's all you can do at this moment.
11. Getting a job is important.
So yes, classes are obviously top of the list if you're in college like me. I learned, through, that having a part time job on the side is a total winning advantage. I've learned that it's convenient to have some extra money on the side, to put into my savings and checking, and then having that spending money for personal stuff such as shopping or concerts. Having a job in college also keeps you organized and motivated. I wouldn't want to be sitting around in my spare time. This job teaches me more responsibility and respect for myself.
12. Looking at internships is a great way to get yourself out there.
I've been pushing myself to look into internships ever since I even started college. I'm twenty-one, and it's time for me to really get this ball a rolling. I want to be a writer, and I want to be an English professor. (preferably Creative Writing.) I've realized that if I want those things to become a possibility, I have to also do my part, and get in touch with people who can help me make that actually happen. When I started to talk to people in the Career and Development Center, that determination and ambition started to become more prevalent in me.
13. Going on adventures is substantial and fun.
My life is becoming more and more hectic, and with my anxiety and whatnot, it can be totally debilitating at times. But I have learned that it is okay to have some fun (or A LOT) and get away for a bit - take a mini vacation alone or with some good friends. Self care is an essential part of life, and a lot of twenty-something need to remember that and engage in some relaxation or mediation - in moderation:)
14. It's okay to make mistakes. Make lots of them, in fact.
Without mistakes, you would be you. I wouldn't be me... without mistakes, I wouldn't have learned all that I have today. I am thankful to those various mistakes that I have made. There is a silver lining in everything, and those are my lovely mistakes.
15. Your body is yours.
If you're not comfortable with something, that doesn't mean you should be pressured by anyone to do something without your consent. You are in charge, and you call the shots. I have learned that I am the number one ruler of my body, and that it is mine and will never be "owned" by somebody. Take care of it, cherish it, and don't take it for granted.
16. Surround yourself with people who inspire you - never ever settle.
One of the most important things in my life, is the people that I surround myself with. People are everything to me. They help make up my colorful, crazy chaotic life and I need them there for me. The people that I have today, are some of the best people I've met in my life and I am forever thankful they're here. At twenty-one, I've learned that it's okay to be "high maintenance" when it comes to making friends. Those people are like your other half, and their energy is important. Surround yourself with people that insire you to be someone youre going to lvoe. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh til you cry, and will be there for you in your best and worse moments. 
17. It's okay to ask for help.
I've learned that admitting to a struggle is one of the most courageous things that you can do. I'm proud of myself, because I have asked for so much help in the past two years.
18. Your early twenties are HARD.
OH YEAH THEY ARE.
I thought that being in my early twenties would be fun, exciting, magical and full of pure Independence away from the parental units. I thought it was an easy life where you didn't have to do any "adulting." Heh. How ironic.
You're young.
But sometimes you feel old.
But you're an adult.
You can drink.
But what if you don't want to.
You're stuck in that weird place where you don't know if you really ARE an adult or not, because your parents still treat you like their little child.
You have to pay for a lot more stuff.
You have to make plans.
You have to schedule meetings.
You have to think about your future.
Media has scared us twenty-one years (and twenty-somethings) with this cycle...
*collapses on the ground dramatically*
19. Complaining is a waste of breath.
Don't let people get in the way of your happiness. Stay strong and diminish the word vomit. The word vomit is evil and it make s you look nasty. You're not. I told myself that I am a beautiful human being who shouldn't waste time getting upset by someone whose opinions are childish and hurtful.
20. Be kind and happy for others. Be humble.
This is one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. For me personally, I find it difficult to be happy for others because I have found myself to be quite unsatisfied with my life, and I compare myself to other people. They always seem like they have everything perfect, and I'm all alone, the weird underdog. But that's not true. Regardless, I need to be happy for my friends, for family, and I have to be a mature person and be there for them and cheer them on. Besides, they would do that for me.
21. Get lost sometimes. If you don't know where you are going . . . that's a good sign.
This is my favorite thing that I have learned. Getting lost used to be terrifying, but now, it's one of my favorite past times. There's nothing I love more than the thrill of getting lost in my car... driving down the high way with the radio humming in the background. That's where I find myself most of the time, oddly enough - when I am lost. Then I think to myself that maybe I am hidden far away, and that's why I am the way I am. Finding myself only means running away sometimes. But don't worry... I always return with something new in my heart. 
