As I come to the realization that I am just a few days away from turning 22, my first reaction is, "How did this happen??? I feel like I just got excited about turning 21!" 21 felt as if it took forever to get here, and then it went by so extremely fast. So in honor of my 21st year officially coming to a close, here are 22 things that I have learned in 22 years.
1. Keep track of your money
I cannot stress this enough. No matter how good you think you are with money, if you don't keep track of it, you'll be surprised how quickly you blow through your bank account without even realizing it. I personally enjoy keeping track of my finances on a spreadsheet in excel. Give it a try! You may be surprised by how much money you save when you can see where it is all going.
2. Cherish your family
Although they may annoy you at times, they're your family and they do love you. Give them a call, take a weekend to spend time with them, make sure they continue to hold an important place in your life. Don't forget that.
3. Bars are expensive
Like really expensive...Why should I go out and spend $10 on a mixed drink when I can buy the ingredients for around the same price and make multiple of them for myself at home? Going out once in a while is fine and sometimes much needed...but don't waste your money every weekend! Trust me, it adds up.
4. Bars aren't even that fun
Honestly, I do enjoy going out to a bar once in a while...but I never have as much fun at a bar as I have hanging out around a fire with friends and family. Once again, don't waste your money every single weekend!
5. People are never going to stop asking you what you plan on doing once you're done with school....
...EVER. As annoying as it is you may as well get used to it.
6. Use a planner/calendar
Seriously. My planner is my life. Everything I need to do is written down in it and I carry it everywhere. If it's not written down and organized, I will forget about it.
7. Keep in touch with your best friend
We all have that one best friend that we don't know how we could possibly live without...but with the stress of college, work, etc. it is easy to forget to keep in touch. You don't have to talk every day but send a text once in a while just to see how things are going with them or even just to tell them you miss them. You'll be glad that you did.
8. It's okay to be over the party stage
I have come to the point in my life where I don't feel the need to go to a party every weekend, and that's okay. I'm over it. I almost even feel like I'm too old for it. There's nothing wrong with partying, but if you get to the point where it feels pointless to go, don't go! Stay home for a night and relax. Go hang out with friends somewhere else. There are plenty of things to do besides party!
9. Keep a journal
I know this may sound stupid to some people out there, but it's not. A journal is something that can be whatever you want it to be and no one has to see it except for you. It's a place for you to let out your frustrations and be honest. You will probably be more honest with yourself if you write it down in a journal where no one else will read it than you will be if you say it out loud. My journal has helped me through
10. Don't go into college with unrealistic expectations
Dear Freshman, I'm sorry to burst your bubble but college is NOTHING like the movies. College is fun and full of new people and new experiences, but college is also a lot of hard work. There will be times where you are stressed out to the point where you want to cry and you will feel like you can't do it...you can. Don't worry. We all feel that way sometimes. Don't get discouraged when you get stressed.
Also, don't expect to end up being best friends with the very first people you meet on campus. Chances are, you may never even talk to them again. Just like with anything else, things take time. Making friends will take time, but it will happen.
11. Get a part time job
Everyone always told me, "Don't work unless you have to. You'll be working your entire life." Personally, I've been working since I was 16 years old and I don't regret it one bit. Having a job teaches you new skills and gives you new experiences, and (if you're lucky) new friends. Plus, there is something to be said for making your own money and not relying on someone else for money. And if you're lucky enough to have parents who can afford to help you through school, at least you'll have some extra spending money for things you actually want!
12. GO TO CLASS
Seriously, just go. Yes, there will be times when you dread going and would give anything just to have a few more hours of sleep, but that doesn't change the fact that you are paying for your college education. You are paying for every single credit you take. Don't let it go to waste. Unless you are horribly sick or have some sort of emergency, get your lazy butt up out of bed and go learn something new. You'll be glad you did.
13. Don't eat fast food every day
If you put crappy food into your body, you're just going to feel like crap. It's okay sometimes, but don't make Sheetz your entire diet. Make some meals yourself if you can.
14. The Freshman 15 is a real thing
Just like everyone else, I was sure that I was not going to gain any weight at all just because I was going to college. I was completely wrong. Don't think that you can eat whatever you want, not work out at all, and still stay the exact same weight you were in high school. It's not going to happen.
15. Don't be afraid to let go of people who aren't good for you
As hard as it is to lose a friendship or a relationship, sometimes letting go is the best option...and probably the hardest lesson that I have had to learn. Just because you were friends with someone in high school doesn't mean that as you continue to grow into adulthood you will still be friends. Same goes for relationships. If you truly care about someone but you're not on the same page with what you want in life, it's never going to work. In the end, you have to think about your own happiness, not necessarily the happiness of others.
16. Say "yes" sometimes even when you don't want to
What I mean by that is say yes to new experiences. Be spontaneous. Some of my best memories are of nights when someone has asked me to go do something with them last minute and I was tired and really didn't want to go, but I went anyway.
17. Don't let anyone tell you how to live your life or what to do with your life
It's your life, not theirs. Not everyone is always going to agree with your plans but that is not your problem. Do what you believe is right for you. Do what will make you happy, not what will make other people happy.
18. It's okay to not have a plan for what you are going to do after college
You go to college to learn and explore new things so that when you finish, you have a better understanding of who you are and the type of work you want to go into. I know so many people who finished college and found jobs in things that they didn't even go to school for but discovered that they loved anyway. No matter what your major is, you will be fine. You will find work doing something you love if you honestly work for it. The most important thing is showing that you worked hard and got that degree!
19. You will make mistakes and do things that you will probably wish you hadn't done
That's life. We all make mistakes. Don't let one mistake upset you so much. Instead, accept it, learn from it, and move on.
20. Don't be afraid to try new things
I will try anything once. The worst thing that can happen is I don't like it and I don't ever do it again. The best thing that can happen is that I discover something new that I enjoy and have a new hobby or talent. Even if you don't think it's for you, give it a shot! At least you can say you tried.
21. Find the humor in every situation
This has seriously gotten me through so many things I never thought I would get through. Find something to make a joke about or laugh about. Laughter really is the best medicine, it has the potential to get you through a lot if you let it.
22. Things that seem like a big deal now, probably won't be a big deal 5 years from now
5 years ago I was 17. I thought I had so many problems and my life was not going to turn out the way that I thought it was. 5 years later, I honestly have no idea what my problems were back then. Think long term, not short term.
Don't stress out over things that aren't going to matter in the future. Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment, whatever it is. Remember, you will never be as young again as you are right now.
