Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Student Life

now that I'm 20, here are 20 Lessons I've Learned and Hope you will Too

Cheers to the next twenty years.

Abby Johnson

Aug 06, 2018

Longwood

Unsplash

Now that my 20th birthday has come and gone, I can't help but feel so thankful for everything this life has given me: a happy home, loving parents, the best of friends, and not a financial worry in the world. The past 20 years has taught me so many lessons, and I can't wait to finally put them all on paper.

1. Life is supposed to be full of ups and downs.

Without the downs, life would be meaningless because we wouldn't learn who we were meant to be.

2. Friends will come and go, and that's okay.

Those that stick around through the years will be friends for life.

3. You will (eventually) learn to get along with your siblings.

It only took my twin brother and I 20 years!

4. Jesus will turn set backs into lessons learned.

He wouldn't be a good father without tough love.

5. Don't waste your energy on negativity.

Surround yourself with people who bring you up, not tear you down.

6. You can learn something from every person you meet.

Even that person who cut you off on the highway, or the boy that broke your heart.

7. College will be the best thing to ever happen to you.

And I'm sure every Longwood Lancer will agree with me.

8. You don't have to be like every one else to be "cool."

Where's the fun in that anyway?

9. Learn to love yourself where you are right now.

If you don't love yourself now, then you sure as heck won't love yourself in the future, no matter how much weight you lose or how many times you change your hair color.

10. Eat food that makes you feel good and makes you happy.

Find that happy balance between nutrition and fun!

11. Save your money.

I learned this the hard way a few years ago at Nordstrom. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

12. Discover ways to calm yourself down in stressful situations.

Deep breathing is my go-to!

13. Have goals for the future.

And be okay with them if they don't go according to plan.

14. If your a girl, don't let the opinions of boys rule your life, and vice versa.

Because odds are, you're worth more than what Chad or Brad told you last night at Theta whatever's frat party.

15. Don't let yourself sleep in till noon every. single. day.

It may feel good for the first few days, but before you know it, you're wasting your days away.

16. It's okay to say no.

Start saying yes to time alone doing what you love.

17. Read a book every once in a while.

You'd be surprised what you can learn from Nicholas Sparks.

18. Determine what you like and what you don't like.

This will make life a whole lot easier.

19. Take a break from your iPhone every now and then.

Even if it's just for 10 minutes.

20. Stay in the moment.

You only get to be twenty once, so live it up while you've got it!

So, if you've just turned 16 or 65, live up the next 365 days. Don't look forward, and don't look back. Stay in the present and enjoy the age you are now because you'll never get it back!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

61673

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society

132053

a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

single life

Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College

40190

loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets

StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

University of Oklahoma

961099

Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat

Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

family and friends

Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

Beloit College

206028

man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

Photo by Abderrahmane Meftah on Unsplash

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

school life

Recommended for you

now that I'm 20, here are 20 Lessons I've Learned and Hope you will Too

Cheers to the next twenty years.

1. Life is supposed to be full of ups and downs.

2. Friends will come and go, and that's okay.

3. You will (eventually) learn to get along with your siblings.

4. Jesus will turn set backs into lessons learned.

5. Don't waste your energy on negativity.

6. You can learn something from every person you meet.

7. College will be the best thing to ever happen to you.

8. You don't have to be like every one else to be "cool."

9. Learn to love yourself where you are right now.

10. Eat food that makes you feel good and makes you happy.

11. Save your money.

12. Discover ways to calm yourself down in stressful situations.

13. Have goals for the future.

14. If your a girl, don't let the opinions of boys rule your life, and vice versa.

15. Don't let yourself sleep in till noon every. single. day.

16. It's okay to say no.

17. Read a book every once in a while.

18. Determine what you like and what you don't like.

19. Take a break from your iPhone every now and then.

20. Stay in the moment.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Ingredients

Instructions

Ingredients

Instructions

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

6. The incredible people I've met

Subscribe to our
Newsletter