21 may be the last birthday I will be truly excited about, but I'm more excited about what the year brought for me to hold onto for the rest of my life. When you think about being 21 you think about being belligerently drunk 99% of the time, but that isn't always the case. In the past year I have learned a lot, about myself, about others, about the world and about my future.
1. Self-love is the best love.
This is a lesson we all learn the hard way, but loving yourself has got to become a priority in your life if you ever want to be successful or happy. Take time to de-stress and enjoy your own company.
2. Sometimes the best friends are the ones you would've never imagined having.
That girl you keep seeing at random parties may just be your roommate one day, the guy that knocked on your door in the dorm may get to hear all of your secrets.
3. Bars are way overpriced.
Seriously, the most exciting and frustrating thing about being 21 is being able to go to bars but not having the funds for it.
4. You aren't going to be good at everything.
College can be hard, don't get down on yourself because you can't pass a class with an A or make it to the bottom of the bunny hill without falling.
5. It's okay to say no.
To drinks, to plans with friends, to people asking favors, to anything you don't want to be involved in. Sometimes it's best to politely decline and do what you want instead.
6. Paying bills suck.
You know you're struggling when you barely turn on your lights or heat because you know you're poor and have to sacrifice warmth or cookout and obviously go without warmth.
7. Choose a career path you're passionate about.
Don't let anyone sway your decision on what you want to be, don't let anyone tell you that you can do better or should be doing something to make more money. Do what you love and don't let anyone ruin that for you.
8. Not much is better than a girl's night.
Boys are cool (sometimes) but there's something about being in comfy clothes with your closest gal pals gossiping and telling stories that makes you feel so content with life.
9. It's okay to not be okay.
Everyone struggles at times, some of those times will last a few minutes and some may last for a few weeks. Don't ever feel like you're alone or doing something wrong, and don't be afraid to ask for help.
10. Not all guys suck.
Okay, most of them probably do but I can assure you that there are a few out there hiding that will treat you like the queen you are.
11. Mom knows best (and everything).
Call her. If you don't, she'll call you because she already knows the problem, solution, backstory and 87 references.
12. Don't discredit your high school besties just because you have new ones.
Sure, we all want to get away from high school and be our own person and we meet so many cool people at college, but that small group of people who you spent every moment with in high school are still pretty freakin' awesome.
13. That one milkshake at 2 A.M. is not going to kill you.
Calories don't count on the weekends or after midnight.
14. But, also eat your vegetables
And fruits, and literally just anything that isn't 100% sugar or cardboard. It's called balance.
15. You may find "your place" in one you wouldn't expect.
Even in the least likely place, so don't be afraid to join clubs, hang out with people you typically wouldn't, or just morph into a member of the men's rugby team like I did.
16. You can't help people who won't help themselves.
This is a hard lesson to learn, especially when you pride yourself on taking care of and helping others, but you have to let people do some things themselves.
17. There is so much to explore.
Not only places, but people, experiences, career options, and your inner self. Take time to dig in and explore as much as you can, we have a pretty great resource at the tip of our fingers.
18. McDonald's cures all hangovers.
Don't scowl or say "gross," those bacon, egg and cheese biscuits have saved several lives.
19. Crying is acceptable.
Trying to be tough isn't even worth it, cry it out, let it go, it's amazing what a few tears can fix.
20. It's never too late to try new things.
That's what electives, required P.E. classes, and the endless array of opportunities college gives you is for.
21. Life goes on.
Don't sweat the small stuff, don't hold grudges, don't live your life worried about something you may or may not have done wrong because in a few days/weeks/months it won't even matter.
Although I will no longer get to reply "21" when someone asks my age, I can still hold onto these things that I have learned in the 365 days that I could.
