It's a couple months into the new year, and that means it's the perfect time to check up on whether you're actually following those New Year's resolutions you set, and whether exercising every day really seems better than eating chocolate. Last New Year's Eve, my resolution was to live my life without regrets, and truthfully, it's the one resolution I have successfully accomplished.

When I was in high school, the one thing I did was doubt myself. I doubted what I wore to school, the guys I liked, the classes I took, and even the texts I sent to my best friends. Finishing off my senior year, I knew I had to make a lot of huge decisions: what college to attend, what prom dress to wear, what summer job to apply for. The last thing I wanted to do was regret any of these decisions. So here are 11 ways I said goodbye to regret and hello to a successful last semester of high school, and an even more successful first semester of college.

1. Acknowledge that you are one of a kind.

You are your own number one fan, and while you may meet hundreds of new and different personalities, it's important to always stay true to yourself, and know that you are just as unique as any of them. If being yourself means dying your hair a new color every week and wearing 10 Ring Pops at once, so be it!

2. Remember, if it makes you happy, then it's the right choice.

While it's great thinking of other people, making decisions without your own happiness in mind will lead to more regrets. No more waiting around on some guy that never cared to give you the time of day! Now you have time to binge-watch "Gossip Girl" and "Friends" with your roommates, since, let’s be honest, that is what truly makes you happy.

3. Know that mistakes are OK.

If you tend to find yourself thinking, “Failure is not an option,” just go ahead and ditch that philosophy right now. I still remember being in my woodworking class and getting too close to a drill, causing my hair to get stuck in it. My teacher might have had to cut my hair in front of the entire class, but I still wore my hair down with pride! Making mistakes is not an actual problem until you let those mistakes affect you negatively.

4. Be open to learning.

Following No. 3, if you're going to make a mistake, which is inevitable in college, you might as well learn from it! If this mistake gives you an opportunity to better yourself, take advantage of it. Learning from your mistakes in college is just as important as the education you are paying thousands of dollars for, if you think about it.

5. Instead of criticizing yourself, appreciate yourself.

At the end of the day, instead of worrying about how you fell flat on your face in front of 200 other students in your lecture hall, just forget that moment, and take the time to appreciate the fact that you finally got the confidence to say hello to the cute guy from the 7th floor.

6. Stop acting like your whole life is awkward.

We all know that something is not really awkward unless you say it’s awkward, so why say it? Well, unless you’re talking about how beautiful Beau Mirchoff was on the MTV show "Awkward." I guess I can learn to accept that.

7. Laugh more, especially at yourself!

Speaking of awkward situations, if you REALLY feel the need to use that dreadful word, there is still hope in saving yourself from feeling regret. Just laugh at yourself! Not only will people admire your cute laugh, since we all have one, but it's scientifically proven that laughing will help you burn calories. Now you can feel better about yourself, and feel healthier, too. Bam! Laughter cures everything.

8. Don't hold a grudge.

One reason so many people hold grudges is because they think of the “what if” situations, ESPECIALLY if those “what if” situations include witty comebacks you should have said to people who were just plain rude to you. Instead of staying bitter at these people and holding a grudge, just let them go! If you let them get to you, they're winning, and what good does that do?

9. Understand the difference between past, present, and future.

Unless you are Marty McFly and have the ability to travel back in time, please know that your past is your past. Whether your past is funny, enlightening, boring, or embarrassing (I’m looking at you, middle school self!), it does not mean it will dictate how successful your present or future will be. If Justin Timberlake sat around and cried about his denim on denim phase, would he be as sexy and powerful as he is now? If Justin can move on, so can you!

10. Stop caring what people think of you.

People’s opinions of you do not define you. Please never forget that.

11. Believe in yourself.

As cliché as it seems, the most important way to live life without regrets is to be confident in yourself. The more you believe in yourself, the more you’ll agree and accept every choice you make. Whether you follow your gut, your heart, your head, or even your feet, everything you do is meant to be. 2016 is a new year, so keep moving forward, and don’t look back wondering if you made the right choice, because trust me, you did.

Note: Thank you for reading this article, and not regretting doing so.