7. We accept the love we think we deserve. | The Odyssey Online
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Student Life

A Letter To My Younger Self

What my first 20 days of college have taught me.

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A Letter To My Younger Self
Andry PJ

In This Article:

An invisible list of expectations exists when you're growing up as an immigrant child in the United States. Coming from Costa Rica, the biggest one of these expectations was always going to University. Now that I am here at the University of Southern California, I've realized that it's the perfect time to start living for myself. The kid who lived to check off boxes on this "immigrant kid bucket list" has officially departed. At the time that I am writing this, I have been living at college for twenty-one days. This is the longest time I have been away from my family back home in my beloved New York City. Three thousand miles seems like the ideal distance to hit the refresh button on life. During these twenty-one days, in simplest terms, I have been living my absolute best life. Prior to these glory days, I've had many lessons to learn. In this letter to my younger self, I will share the Top 11 Lessons that I have learned in my life.

1. If you think of something, do it... or someone else will.

Here's to all those times that I've watched other people do what I had wanted to do. Seriously, life waits for no one, and it certainly won't wait for your bravery.

2. Know exactly what you want and absolutely believe that you are going to get it. 

This is how I received my full ride scholarship to USC (and through hard work, of course.) It's crucial to realize how much power you hold through thoughts, feelings, and vibrations. Living life on autopilot really does not benefit you. What you put out into the universe, will come back to you. Be mindful!

3. Just because you feel it doesn't mean it's there.

Fear and doubt prevent you from living a fulfilling life! Most of the time, fear comes with the negativity that creates doubt within you. Definitely ALWAYS trust your gut, but learn to differentiate gut and fear/doubt. At USC, I haven't let any feeling stop me from getting out of my comfort zone and learning something new.

4. Confidence will change your life, insecurities will, too.

Take this scenario: You walk into a job interview for your dream job with your head held high and your shoulders set back. You speak not too fast or not too slow when prompted. You express yourself eloquently, thoughtfully, and clearly- commanding the space in which you find yourself in. The interviewer is impressed by how you carry yourself. You get the job. The key is to push your insecurities aside, and allow your abilities to give you the confidence you need. I learned to stop caring so much about how others perceive me-- something which none of us have control over. This gave me the freedom to go about my life with the certainty that my higher self will guide me in the right direction.

5. Life is so much better when nobody knows what you're up to. 

As we say back home in NYC, we gotta keep it all on the down low. Posting your every move on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, etc. gives space for others' enviousness and negativity to enter your life. Don't give them the space or platform to belittle or even degrade you by posting all of your business. Post what you want, and sure, share your accomplishments and best moments- but remember that some things need to stay personal especially in a world in which people think there isn't room for all of us to be successful together. You also end up staying grounded, and present in the moment instead of worrying about the next post on your story or feed. Stay lowkey, stay humble, and live your best life outside your smartphone's screen.

6. Love exists in music, and if you don't have love at least you have music. 

I'll keep this one short and sweet: Music saved my life. When you're feeling down and defeated AF, put on some 90s and early 2000s bops and dance like no one's watching. My days have gone from rock bottom to feeling infinite because of music. It's a universal type of magic.

7. We accept the love we think we deserve. 

Repeat after me: I am deserving of a full, organic, high vibrational kind of love. Settling for anything less than is disrespectful to my ancestors, my spirit, and anything I've built for myself and others. With love, I will pass on anything that doesn't feel in alignment with my soul. Divine timing is always perfect.

8. Sometimes all it takes is 20 seconds of insane courage.

9. If it isn't hard and it doesn't make me nervous, then it's probably not worth it.

It was either I stay in my safety net of NYC, and attend NYU… or go across the country where I knew nobody and nobody knew me. USC was the way to go and it was certainly the best decision I have ever made. Take a risk and challenge yourself outside of your own little comfort zone bubble. Strive to constantly renew your environment.

10. Never dim your light for anyone.

My favorite quote ever said it all.

11. Make decisions fast, the universe likes speed.

Last but not least: Stop waiting for a miracle to happen! Countdown from 3. Get up, get out, get it done.

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

6 Unrealistic Expectations Society Has For Young Adults

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

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Well over four feet tall and 100 pounds in weight, many of us "young adults" of the world still consider ourselves children. Big, working, college-attending, beer-drinking children. We may live on our own, know how to cook noodles, and occasionally use a planner, but don't be fooled; the youthful tendencies that reside within us still make their way into our daily lives. From choosing to stay up until 3:00 a.m. playing video games on a school night to going out in 30 degree weather without a coat, we still make decisions that our parents and grandparents would shake their heads at in disappointment. So why are we expected to know exactly how to be a wise, professional, sensible adult? It's not that we're irresponsible (for the most part, anyway). It's that we are young, inexperienced, and still have the sought-after, enthusiastic mentality that we can do and be whatever we want, which has not yet been tarnished by the reality of the world. These are just a few of the unrealistic expectations that society has for young adults.

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1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

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Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

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