This new year is creeping up faster than you can bat your eyelashes. As you reflect on this past year, you've probably realized that you have discovered endless arrays of knowledge. While much of this includes (no thanks to school) and abundance of fascinating information on topics that would be great for future reference, shall you ever decide to partake in the gameshow "Jeopardy," you have also learned about yourself and the consequences [and rewards] of your actions. With that being said, a new year equals a new you. It's time to build on what you learned from the past and come out stronger than ever before.

First and foremost, start putting yourself first. Wake up every morning and say one good thing about yourself. Continue repeating it until you start to believe it. You are an amazing person, and you should never have to undermine your own value because someone tells you that you're not good enough. Flowers have times where they wither up, but eventually the sun shines, the rain falls, and a brand-new flower takes its place. You are a flower who has endured a small drought, but this will be the year you grow to be tall and beautiful.

Secondly, those crushes you think are worth it now? Don't sweat it. This year may or may not be the year that you find "the one." It could also be the year you kiss approximately six more frogs. Regardless, continue to be who you are. Eventually, someone will come along who will appreciate that you're a little on the weird side (and by weird, I mean you're awkward 97 percent of the time, you always feel the need to dance and sing in public while everyone's watching, and you laugh at things that aren't funny to anyone but you). Stop trying so hard to make people stick around if they don't want to. You can't make someone feel something they don't. And sure, it may seem like the end of the world having to wait for your special person to come around, but I promise they will be worth every second of the wait.

Focus on managing your time better. Procrastination can become a huge problem if you don't use that planner you bought. And you may have every intention of getting that essay done by Thursday at three o'clock, but that doesn't mean watch a movie until noon and then try and throw the essay together in three short hours. Your time spent in school is meant to be fun yet equally enjoyable. Your education is such an important stepping-stone towards your future. Party it up on the weekends, enjoy time going out with friends, but don't forget your goals and priorities.

Remind your friends and family that you love them more often. I know some of them you see every day, and others not so much, but never forget to tell them how much they mean to you. They are your backbone, your support when you feel like the world is crashing down around you. They're your de-stressor, your psychologist, your comedian, your tissues, and your safe-haven. Without them, you would not be the person you are today. Thank them for being one of the greatest reasons why your days are a little less sucky.

Finally, remember that change is inevitable. If things don't always go the way you plan, simply adjust your perspective. You aren't always going to make perfect grades, plans will fall through sometimes, and people will come and go throughout your life. It doesn't mean that you are doing things wrong. Sometimes it simply means that things are changing for the better. There is a reason for everything, even when you don't see it instantaneously. There are going to be days when you feel on top of the world and nothing can stand in your way. Other days, you will feel like you are drowning in an endless ocean, with nobody around for miles to pull you out of the water. You must learn to take the bad days with the good and continue to move forward one day at a time.

Take this new year as a new opportunity to be the best version of yourself you can possibly be - you deserve it.