As my days of being 18 are drawing to a close, I've taken some time to reflect on what I learned from this past year. From the last few months of high school to my first semester in college, there were many ups and downs, but that's what made my eighteenth year of life worth living. As DJ Khaled would put it, these are my "keys to success" on approaching adulthood.
1. Not everyone is going to like you.
This is something that is very hard to come to terms with. Being exposed to many different personalities for this long, you must understand that not everyone is going to get along. That is normal. We're different. We have different morals, values, and views of the world which may cause people to dislike us. However, we must still treat others with respect since our attitudes towards them reflect who we are as people.
2. You're not in high school anymore.
Being 18 and in high school is a completely different ballgame from being 18 in college. There is a certain level of responsibility and maturity that is expected to be maintained. Also, the "real world" kicks in. You're no longer confined to the small communities that you came from, but you are now exposed to a wider range of opportunities, and you can finally narrow in on what you want to do for the rest of your life. You also have so much independence, but it is up to you to leverage what actions you take and choices you make while having this freedom that you've longed for.
3. Your parents still have a lot of say in your life.
Believe it or not, your parents actually are still very involved in your life. Being 18 does signify independence, but it does not mean that your parents are never going to have anything to do with you again. They're still there to advise you in your choices while regarding you with a higher level of maturity. You will begin to realize that your parents are normal people too. You'll realize that they have made mistakes and have flaws, but at the end of the day, they just want what's best for you.
4. You're not going to be treated like a minor.
When you go through TSA at the airport, you're going to need a valid government ID now, and there are no excuses. This is one of the many things that you will have to face as you become an adult. Another thing is that if you decide to commit a crime, you won't be charged as a minor! Your level of responsibility is increasing drastically as you age.
5. How to get rid of negative people and negative energy.
By this age, you should know what makes you tick. You must develop ways in which you rid of the negativity. If it is a person in your life that is dragging you down, it is best to let them go. Their presence in your life is not a positive one, so they are no longer needed. You have a say over who and what you want in your life. You have plenty of great things in store for you regardless of how you feel about letting someone go. In the words of Elsa, "Let it go!"
6. You will face rejection.
Rejection in life is common, and by the time you're 18, you will begin to understand it more. Rejection from a friend group, a college, or from a boy or girl is all too common at this stage in life. It does hurt a great deal and you begin to question your self-worth, but nothing should ever make you look down on yourself. You must accept rejection, consider alternatives and use it as motivation to prove your doubters wrong.
7. Don't be afraid to develop your own interests.
Expressing your uniqueness is an important part of growing older. You have your own identity that is independent of what people in high school thought about you. You could've felt overshadowed and timid in high school, but in college you're running for the president of an organization. You're now allowed to express your political interests in the form of voting at this age! It's okay to surprise people with your sudden burst of motivation. Your true self is coming out and it's going to be exciting to see all of the things that you can do.
8. Surround yourself with good people.
This is vital to your success. You must have a strong support network of people that feed you good energy and positive thoughts. You are mature enough to have great, goal-oriented people in your life. You're as good as the people you surround yourself with.
The thought of never being a kid again is scary sometimes. This is just the beginning of the long journey of adulthood, and as my first year of the adult experience is now ending, I want to make sure that those who are just starting will learn from what I have learned. 19, I'm ready for you!
