This past week was the start of midterm week at the university I attend and all that I've been able to think about lately is how fast life really does go by. This will be my last full year of college and I am already halfway done with the first semester. It seems like just yesterday my parents were dropping me off for my freshmen year.

While it is easy to get caught up in the craziness that life throws at us, here are a few things that I think we should all step back and remember.

Whether it is a hard class, a relationship, or just life itself, never give up. Push yourself harder. Set goals and keep a positive attitude. Everything that happens throughout life typically happens for a reason and giving up is the worst thing that you could ever do. You are strong and you will get through whatever hard times life throws at you. Unfortunately, life wasn't meant to be easy. Keep your head up, shoot up a few prayers if you are into that type of stuff, and keep trying. Eventually, things will get better.

Value the good times and remember the not so good times.

Appreciate every good thing life has to offer and never forget the not so good times. Take pictures and capture the memories that were made along the way. Life has its ups and downs, but it is vital that we take time to reflect on the situations life puts us in, and take a lesson out of them.

Appreciate the little things.

Appreciate the little things that life has to offer. Always appreciate the little things in life. Whether it is a beautiful sunrise or sunset, the leaves on the trees changing colors, pretty flowers growing on the side of the road, music playing on the radio, your pets, your family and friends, appreciate them. There will always be somebody who is less fortunate than you and it is important that we realize that.

Never be afraid to pay it forward.

Never fear paying it forward. Whether it is actually paying it forward to somebody, or volunteering, pay it forward. Sometimes the simplest gestures can mean the most to somebody.

Let go of the past.

The past is in the past. You can't change what has happened. All you can do is move forward and learn from it. Use your past to help build you into a better, stronger person.

Be thankful.

Everybody like to joke around about how tough their life is, but you should always be thankful, regardless of how tough you might think you have it. Be thankful for the people you have in your life and show those people that you are thankful for them. Help them out and lend them advice when they need it the most.

Always stay humble and kind.

Very similar to being thankful, it is so important that we are always humble and kind. While we might not like everyone we meet in life, the best thing you can do is kill them with kindness. Always stay humble and kind. Do what you can do to make a difference in this world.

You were given this one life to live, it is up to you to make the most of it.