Although I am still quite young and have a long life ahead of me, over the years I have learned so much. My experiences have helped me grow as a person. Here are 18 things I have learned up until now:

1. It's OK to feel sad at times.

If you asked me how emotional I was in high school...the answer would be extremely. Small things would happen in my life and I would act as if it were the end of the world. Looking back, I thought being in a fight, having issues with boys and fighting with my parents was like someone had died and I would never recover. Now I know that these small things do not matter and its actually normal compared to what other people are going through. At times I feel down, but I accept that feeling sad is OK.

2. My mom was right.

Although the multitude of lectures my mom has given me in the past were quite annoying, she was right. The main reason being is that she is older and has gone through pretty much the same things I have. For the most part, our parents have experienced a lot and from that can tell us the how they handled situations in ways it would benefit them. I know they can be annoying at times, but listen to them because they really do have your best interest at heart.

3. I don't need to have the perfect body.

16-year-old me would scroll through Instagram endlessly seeing pictures of models with flat stomachs, long legs and killer arms. I would envy their bodies and obsess over looking like these girls. Days would consist of trying not to eat anything that I thought would make me gain weight and spending hours at the gym. Now I have learned my body will never be "perfect," and thats OK. I shouldn't be wasting time comparing myself to others, because honestly what will I get from that? Absolutely nothing. The main reason I wanted to look like these girls was just to be skinny, and not even to be healthy. I have learned health is important and it doesn't stop physically. Being mentally healthy is important, and comparing your bodies to others is not good in anyway!

3. Wearing 10 pounds of makeup is not the best look.

In High school I would wear way too much eyeliner and lipstick. Many people wear makeup because they truly enjoy the look and how it enhances their great features. Although, makeup helps people in many ways; I was wearing it for the wrong reasons. So many products went on my skin to the point I was basically hiding my face and clogging my pores. Instead of showing off my good features, I was actually covering them. Besides covering my face I was also doing a lot of damage to my skin. Many people forget makeup can cause a lot of dirt buildup on your face, resulting in pimples, large pores and poor looking skin in general.

4. Having fun doesn't mean just going out to clubs.

Ever since I was a young girl, I knew I wanted to go to College in a big city. I was very excited to be in a place with the best nightlife. When I finally started living here, you learn that fun isn't just confined to the interior of Lavo, 1Oak and the various other popular
clubs in NYC. Especially when you have to deal with guys trying to hit on drunk girls (and never giving up). From my few club experiences (unfortunate ones at that) I've learned the most fun comes from trying
out new restaurants, seeing interesting exhibits at museums and exploring all the wonderful parks the city has to offer.

5. Just eat the fries, they wont kill you.

So many times I have gained interest in guys because of the wrongs things.Yes, they were cute and possibly great people to cuddle with. Maybe even someone who gives you butterflies in your stomach but are they someone you can have actual deep conversations with? Instead of physical chemistry being In love is with someones soul and not only their bodies and the affection they can give you.

7. Drinking water is good for every part of your body, most importantly your skin!

8. You can't tell someone not to feel a certain way.

Sometimes, someone will be hurt by something I said and I don't realize why. In my head, it was perfectly ok and I think "They shouldn't be hurt. I wasn't even being mean." Although you may think truly that someone shouldn't feel that way, it doesn't matter because
they do. Everyone takes things differently, and you just have to realize what you think is OK may not be to someone else.

9. I shouldn't care so much about Instagram/Social Media

Some people like to match all their pictures on their Instagram in a way where it looks like its themed. Although thats their own choice and if it makes them happy thats great, but it doesn't mean you also have to do it. Just because someone has 1,000 likes, doesn't mean you also have to. What you see on social media, isn't always how it is in real life. The amount of likes you get on Instagram by your followers doesn't really matter at the end of the day. At the end of the day, your followers shouldn't determine your self worth or how "popular" you feel based on the looks and likes of your profile.

10. Put your phone down, you'll miss out on actually living your life.

A common mistake we all make!

11. Don't use the term "Friend" lightly.

My mother once told me that someone who is your friend should earn that title. Someone who is your friend will be there for you at the 3 am, will be a shoulder to cry on and almost like family. In other
terms, your friends should be close with you and someone you actually enjoy.

This is something I actually have stood by for a while. Although now I am in a relationship, all throughout high school I was one of the few girls who had not had one boyfriend. The reason wasn't because I was someone who got around or was against love but more because I didn't want to waste my time. A lot of people get into relationships quite fast and break up soon after, I never believed in having a boyfriend I wouldn't be with for long. When I started dating someone I wanted to be sure it was for a while.

13. Its OK to smile, people wont think your weird.

I think I have a major case of Resting Bitch Face- (a person, usually a girl, who naturally looks mean when her face is expressionless, without meaning to). When I would look like I was miserable, I would
start to feel it and notice a lot of other miserable people around me. When I am smiling, it puts me in a good mood and makes me feel a bit more positive.

14. Reading does in fact make you smarter.

Find a book you like, even if its not a classic and read! Not only will you learn things you did not know before, you will also enhance your vocabulary by learning words you have not heard of.

15. Do not let anyone tell you that your expectations are set too high.

Its OK to let people know how you want to be treated and if you aren't being treated the way you should, walk away. Girls are constantly told their expectations are set to high, especially when it comes to men. Their expectations are actually quite normal and comes down to one thing: Overall being treated right. If you want someone to respect you, love you, accept you and understand you, thats what you deserve not what you should need to ask for.

18. Life is short, stop complaining.

If I timed how much I complained over the years, I would see the amount I have wasted. Things in life wont always go our way but complaining does not help. What happened that was not in your
favor is still there and wining isn't changing that. If you do not like something, fix it. If you cant fix it, move on...I am positive it is not the end of the world.