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24 Things I've Learned At 24

Life lessons come in all shapes and sizes.

Kristen Galloway

Oct 25, 2016

Knoxville, Tennessee

684

Tumblr

With my 25th birthday rapidly approaching, as well as an imminent quarter-life crisis, I've been looking back on all the things I've learned while walking through my life. Whether good or bad, I can definitely say I've learned a lot more than just 24 things. There've been things I'll take with me to my grave, things I've forgotten the second they've been taught to me, and others that are as meaningless as they are interesting. Here are just a few I'd like to share.

1. High school friends aren't forever friends. At least most of the time.

2. 9 times out of 10, your mom is right. Unless it's my mom, then she always is.

3. Blood isn't always thicker than water.

4. Boybands are always amazing, no matter how old you are.

5. Watch what you say on social media. Seriously.

6. Make a LinkedIn account and actually use it.

7. Write. Write everything. Keep a journal and scream out your thoughts.

8. Don't keep things bottled in.

9. Be grateful for what you have.

10. Don't get drunk and lay down. The room will spin, you'll throw up, and then ruin your favorite duvet cover.

11. Speaking of alcohol, just stay away from fireball whiskey.

12. Drink more water.

13. Travel as much as you can.

14. You can never have too many cardigans.

15. Sometimes, the only way you're going to learn is by screwing up. It's inevitable.

16. If you have a long-distance friend, see them as much as you can. Talk to them every day, even if you just say hi.

17. Take pictures. Take so many that people get mad at you, and then take more.

18. Take the time to pick the college you want. Not the one your parents want, not the one your significant other wants; the one you want to go to.

19. Your card is going to decline on a $5 purchase at Wal-Mart at least once. It's okay. It happens to all of us.

20. Wear makeup because you want to, not because you feel pressure to. You're beautiful with or without it.

21. Sometimes moving away from home is the best thing you can do for yourself.

22. Don't be afraid to spread your wings.

23. There's going to be times you get your heart broken and it feels like nothing will ever be okay again. Trust me, everything will be fine. Better, even.

24. Oh, and one more thing! Always pack headphones.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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24 Things I've Learned At 24

Life lessons come in all shapes and sizes.

1. High school friends aren't forever friends. At least most of the time.

2. 9 times out of 10, your mom is right. Unless it's my mom, then she always is.

3. Blood isn't always thicker than water.

4. Boybands are always amazing, no matter how old you are.

5. Watch what you say on social media. Seriously.

6. Make a LinkedIn account and actually use it.

7. Write. Write everything. Keep a journal and scream out your thoughts.

8. Don't keep things bottled in.

9. Be grateful for what you have.

10. Don't get drunk and lay down. The room will spin, you'll throw up, and then ruin your favorite duvet cover.

11. Speaking of alcohol, just stay away from fireball whiskey.

12. Drink more water.

13. Travel as much as you can.

14. You can never have too many cardigans.

15. Sometimes, the only way you're going to learn is by screwing up. It's inevitable.

16. If you have a long-distance friend, see them as much as you can. Talk to them every day, even if you just say hi.

17. Take pictures. Take so many that people get mad at you, and then take more.

18. Take the time to pick the college you want. Not the one your parents want, not the one your significant other wants; the one you want to go to.

19. Your card is going to decline on a $5 purchase at Wal-Mart at least once. It's okay. It happens to all of us.

20. Wear makeup because you want to, not because you feel pressure to. You're beautiful with or without it.

21. Sometimes moving away from home is the best thing you can do for yourself.

22. Don't be afraid to spread your wings.

23. There's going to be times you get your heart broken and it feels like nothing will ever be okay again. Trust me, everything will be fine. Better, even.

24. Oh, and one more thing! Always pack headphones.

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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

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

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