By being yourself, you put something beautiful into the world that was not there before.

College. There are so many people to meet, so many memories to make, and so much time to learn about yourself. Going to college can be a confusing experience, but here are 9 things to remember when you run into stressful times along your journey:

1. Seek out and spend time with the positive people in your life

Make new friends that will have a positive impact on your life and that will help lead you to success. Hang around people with common interests because even if they don't seem like it on the outside, they are probably very similar to you on the inside. It's true that if you surround yourself with positive people, overall your attitude will be more positive and you will be a happier and healthier person.

Beautiful things happen in your life when you distance yourself from all the negative things.

2. Do NOT let anyone influence your happiness

Happiness is a choice. There is one person in this world that has the ability to change your happiness and that's YOU. Don't let a boy get you down or a friend put you in a bad mood. Don’t let your happiness be controlled by something you can’t control. Try not to let the difficult times get you down because there is so much happiness out there for you, you just have to go find it.

Your value doesn't decrease based on someone else's inability to see your worth.

3. Never lose sight of your goals and dreams

Having goals is one of the best ways of truly finding yourself as a person. It shows you what you are capable of and it helps you to focus on yourself and make yourself a priority. Setting goals is one of the best things you can do to take your mind off some tough times. If you believe you can do something, you will. Wake up with determination and go to bed with satisfaction. Success doesn’t just come and find you, you have to go out and get it.

"The question isn't who's going to let me, it's who's going to stop me." -Ayn Rand

4. Don't ever be afraid to be yourself

Always be yourself because nobody else is like you; you are an unique individual. Why would you want to try to be somebody else? Go out and have a good time with your friends, laugh as much as possible, and stop caring about what others think. Do you really want someone in your life if they are going to judge you for being different? The best thing about you is YOU!

"If you are lucky enough to be different, don't change." -Taylor Swift

5. Always remember you have people who love you

Everyone in this world has someone that loves them unconditionally, whether it’s your parents, a best friend, or God. Rely on them and don't be afraid to share things with them that are bothering you. They will always look out for you because they love you and want the best for you. Those are the people you need to go to for advice because you know they will never steer you wrong.

God is within her, she will not fall. -Psalm 46:5

6. Forgive but don't forget and move on

If someone hurt you, don't let it define you. Remember that you never know what someone else is going through, so just forgive them. Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. It makes you a better person and, believe it or not, it will make you a lot happier too. Forgiving is allowing the burden from them to be brought off your shoulders. I'm not saying you need to forget, because it could be a valuable lesson that you can learn in your life, but you need to move on from what happened. Never look back on the past because there's nothing you can do about that anymore. The only thing you can do now is control the present and guide yourself in the right direction for the future.

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

7. Don't worry

Control what is controllable. You have no control over your past and the things that have already happened in your life. Don't stress about your future because what's meant to be will be. God has a beautiful plan for you. If something happens that gets you down just remind yourself that there is something bigger and better out there for you. My wise mom once told me, "Why wish upon a star when you can talk to the one that created them all." Trust in him and everything will be alright.

Be a warrior, not a worrier.

8. If you want something, go get it

Why would you rely on good luck when you can work your ass off to be guaranteed something? Whatever you want in this life, whatever you think will make you happy, go and get it. What have you got to lose? Only you know what you truly want, no one else. Stop waiting for things to happen. Go out and MAKE THEM HAPPEN!

"It's your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you." -Rumi

9. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23

"Being deeply loved gives you strength; loving deeply gives you courage." -Lao Tzu