College has changed me in ways I never thought imaginable.

I used to be selfless, constantly pouring myself into others while no one poured themselves into me.

For years I have listened endlessly to friends and family as they needed a shoulder to cry on, even in times where I did not have the emotional and mental capacity to be listening. My mom and dad for the past couple of years have been saying to be selfish because it is the time in my life to be, "it's college," they say. "Who cares?"

I used to push aside these comments and think that I will never be selfish, it's just not in my nature.

Now in my second year of college, I have found the power of "selfishness."

I have learned that I should be my number one priority. I have learned that I should not be putting all my energy into other people.

I have to be selfish in terms of my emotions. I am empathetic, I am sensitive.

I know now that constant negative energy will only bring me down more. I know that lots of friends will come to me because they depend on me, but I need to depend on them too. If they do not allow me to depend on them, I have learned to stop wasting my expendable energy on them — I should be putting it into myself.

I have to be selfish in terms of how I spend my time. I am talented, I cannot let it go to waste.

I know now that I cannot waste time on people who are inconsistent. I cannot waste time going after things that I do not truly want.

I am allowed to spend my time the way I want. I am allowed to spend hours in my room listening to music I love and drawing portraits, with no regard for what anyone else would like to do with my time.

Finally, I have to be selfish in terms of my goals. I am intelligent, I am a force of nature.

I know now that it is very easy to be influenced by advisors, professors, friends, and family to determine the future. I know now that is very easy to claim you want things that you actually do not want, in order to impress someone else.

I am allowed to work for what I want, even if no one else sees my vision. I am allowed to work hours on end and be an overachiever that everyone loves to hate so much.

Being selfish is not a bad quality.

Being selfish is empowering, invigorating and just what I needed to learn about this year.

It is a good thing to be all about me.

Make the new year the year of "selfish."