Saturday, March 5 marked a significant point in my life. I left my teen years behind and entered the decade that will define who I am: my 20s. I've learned a lot in 20 years. I've learned about the way the world works and how people think. I've realized it's not all fun and games, but it's also not as cold as some make it out to be. There are numerous lessons I've come to realize, and these are just a handful of rules to help anyone through life.
1. Learn to laugh at yourself.
Why be embarrassed about something when you can laugh it off? One day during the fall 2015 semester, rain-soaked leaves camouflaged a manhole cover in the middle of campus. I stepped right onto nature’s trap and completely wiped out during the changing of classes. As I stood back up, I slipped again and almost fell back down onto the wet brick.
Dozens of people definitely watched it happen, but as I regained my balance, I immediately started laughing. I used to be self-conscious about everything and worried about embarrassing myself all the time.
At some point in the past 20 years, I realized that if I roll with the punches nothing could bother me. You don’t always have to be the “honored guest” of a Comedy Central Roast, but learning to laugh at yourself makes life easier. Self-deprecating humor can be good for the soul.
2. Use criticism to better yourself.
Taking criticism positively and using it in a constructive way can benefit you in different aspects of your life. Instead of beating yourself up over other people’s opinions, it could be better to make a change.
High school teachers used to tear my research papers apart (by grading harshly, not literally tearing the paper). I used the criticism and low grades as reasons to try harder. I’m not saying you should change your hairstyle because one person doesn’t like it, but sometimes people criticize to help.
Many contestants on NBC’s “The Voice” don’t receive a chair-turn, but the coaches tell them to work on something and try again next season. And what happens? They come back and slay.
3. Enjoy high school while it lasts.
Everyone says it: I can’t wait to graduate. We all couldn’t wait to get out of high school and be independent and head off to a college far away from home.
Don’t get me wrong, I love college. I love the freedom and change of scenery, but I miss parts of high school. The workload in college feels 10 times greater than the workload in high school. I used to hate reading a chapter section aloud in class; now I hate reading entire chapters every night.
High school work was nothing compared to the college work I have now. Also, with freedom comes responsibilities. High school was a time when it was OK to be carefree. Teachers always told us nobody would babysit us after high school, and they were right. Adulthood is a completely different ballgame.
4. Don't expect handouts.
Don’t be like the mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Someone who grows up constantly spoiled will never be satisfied and expect handouts. Not everyone is going to hand you everything in the real world. Your professor isn’t going to bump your 69.9 up to a 90. If you want something, work hard and go earn it.
5. Do what makes you happy.
Yes, it sounds cliché, but it’s an important rule. There is no reason to be complacent if it’s possible to change. Sure, school sucks sometimes. That’s something everybody goes through, but it’s not hard to find a way to make it more enjoyable. Join a club or sports team. Take a fun class. Do whatever you need to do to be happy.
I’m a journalism and electronic media major because writing and broadcasting make me happy. They say to choose a field you like and you won’t have to work a day in your life. However, if money alone makes you happy, by all means, be a doctor or lawyer.
6. Do your research.
Researching information to get the facts straight is central to forming arguments and making some important life decisions. Whether you’re buying a car, choosing a college or debating which team is better, you have to do your research. Choose a college or apply for a job because you conclude from your research that it suits you best, not because your friend told you to do it. And don’t start an argument you’re not prepared for.
There’s nothing I find more annoying that an opinion-fueled, fallible debate. Sometimes I overhear arguments and I wish I could be a fact-checking mediator. I want to be the Tony Reali from “Pardon the Interruption” of everybody’s debates.
7. Venture outside your comfort zone.
Do something that gives you butterflies in your stomach every once in a while. How can you experience the world if you don’t try new things? I remember my first ride on a roller coaster with a loop. I wanted to ride it for years, but I always backed out. Just the thought of inversion made me sick.
I finally got over that fear and it made me the thrill-seeker I am today. Break out of your comfort zone and do something you’ve never done before. Perform in front of an audience. Ride in an airplane. Order something other than “the usual.” Explore club and activities fairs. Expand your horizons and venture out of that box.
8. Take care of your body.
Your body is a temple; don’t destroy it. There are many ways to take care of your body. Eat healthy. Exercise regularly. Relax. Laugh. Brush your teeth. Do everything in moderation and your physical and mental health will benefit.
I played football for 6 years and lifted weights in the off-season. That prevented me from gaining a huge amount of weight. I ate nachos and cheese for lunch pretty much every day in high school. After graduation, my eating habits caught up to me and I realized I was ruining myself. I’ve watched way too many episodes of “My 600-lb Life” to continue eating like I did.
9. Make time for family.
Your family is important. It's impossible to realize what they mean until they're not around. In this busy world, it might be hard to spend quality time together. My family means the world to me, but I don't get to see them often. I live about an hour away from my closest relative, which makes it difficult to make regular visits.
Plus, I've had school, sports, extracurriculars, work, etc. Extended family get-togethers usually require weeks in advance to plan and don't happen as much as we would like. However, the time we spend together is precious. Sit down for a family dinner every chance you get. Make time for your family when you can, and don't take those moments for granted.
