1. Dream big

Dreams are meant to big so no matter what your dreams are, make sure to fight for them! Everyone has a dream whether it is to become a physician, a homeowner, or a student at one's dream school. Dreams are goals several people have, but in order to achieve them, one has to be persistent.

Many people get discouraged from dreaming big because of the negativity people bring to their goal or the negative thoughts that wander in our minds. People shouldn't have negative thoughts when it comes to their own dreams because if we don't believe in ourselves who will?

For me UCLA was my dream school since I was in 3rd grade and when I had the chance to apply to UCLA during senior year in high school I took it. My high school counselors during the time told me to not apply to UCLA since my chances were low to get in but I stilled applied and got rejected. As a distraught lost 17-year old I decided to come back to L.A. after taking 1 week of classes at Cal State Chico to follow my dream and become a student at UCLA. Family & friends didn't understand my decision to leave a 4-year institution and attend community college, but I knew it was going to lead me to my dream school.

There were tough decisions and hardships that went through my journey, but my dream was alive throughout the backlash I received from my family and friends when coming back to L.A. Moral of the story is dreams are meant to be big so follow them! Don't let anyone bring you down and tell you that you can't achieve your dream because you can, it is all about believing in yourself.

2. Change is good

For those who know me, change has always been difficult for me, but what I have learned over the past few years is that change creates new opportunities in life. Many of us have this perception that change in our lives is negative but it is not, it is the chance to grow as an individual, make new friendships, and develop new skills. Change has been big during these past 4 years where I have embarked on new opportunities, new friendships, and new adventures. It is time for people to get out of their comfort zone and explore a whole new world!

3. Friendship doesn't always last

Friends come and go, not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever. People change throughout the years and you might not sync with your friends after not seeing them for a long time and that's ok, life continues. It is hard to see when a good friendship has ended, but things will work out. Best believe that you would meet great friends along the way as the years go by.

4. Listen to your feelings

As a young adult shit happens in life and it can get pretty stressful so listen to your feelings when you're feeling down. Taking care of your mental health should be a priority which means if you are feeling depressed make sure to talk to a friend or someone you trust and reach out for help. Besides taking care of your mental health make sure to listen to your heart and follow it. We only get to live once so if you like a person and you want to tell them or you want to apologize to someone whom you may have hurt, make sure to let the other person know how you feel!

5. Be true to yourself

Don't be anyone else on this earth, be the weirdo who you are because we are all unique and beautiful that way. Life is too short to please everyone by being someone else, embrace who you are and be the amazing person whom you're meant to be.

6. Don't hate, spread peace and love

Hate can be one of the ugliest attributes one can carry in their heart. With the political climate right now hate seems to be prevalent across America and it is sad. We need people to learn how to spread peace and love, accept others, and embrace the diversity each person brings on earth.