11. I tried yoga. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

18 Things I Did At 18, In 2018

A year to be remembered.

1722
18 Things I Did At 18, In 2018
Chani Corpus

In This Article:

September 10th is my 19th birthday! One year ago, when I turned 18, I was told by many family and friends that it would be the best year of my life so far. I was determined to prove them right. I applied to my dream school, took solo trips and took advantage of the big opportunities that came my way. I met amazing new friends, overcame obstacles and stepped outside my comfort zone. 18 was a year of self growth and self love. In addition to enjoying all of the fun possibilities that came my way, I grew through what I went through. There was struggle and there was hurt, but every big leap I've made this year has pushed me to be the best version of myself I could be.

Here's a list of 18 wonderful things I accomplished when I was 18!

1. I was accepted into UW-Madison.

State Street, Memorial Union Terrace, The Capitol... can't go wrong

Chani Corpus

Madison feels like home to me, and I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else.

2. I turned my spare bedroom into a closet.

White walls, wood floors, lots of TJ Maxx and Target decor.

I'll be really honest, I have way too many clothes and they didn't fit in my bedroom closet. Luckily, we had a guest bedroom which was an ugly red color and needed to be redone. We picked out new paint and flooring, and then added some cute decorations and boom! Walk in closet.

3. I tried contacts . . . again.

The first week of wearing contacts was so uncomfortable.

The first time I tried contacts was in 5th grade and I hated them, but now they're my best friend.

4. I took a solo trip.

King Coffee Shop in Tempe, AZ

Chani Corpus

I had an extremely rough couple of winter months, and desperately needed some sun. I used my tax return money to book a flight to sunny Tempe, Arizona all by myself!

5. I took a trip to Spain & Italy.

Zaragoza, Spain

Chani Corpus

My Spanish club voted on taking our trip to Spain and Italy! We went to Madrid, Barcelona and Rome. My favorite part was the architecture, pizza and gelato!

6. I got a summer job.

There was definitely dancing involved during our sports games.

I was getting tired of cashiering at my local grocery store, so I found a job as a sports leader for the recreation department. It was a super fun way to work while still enjoying my summer. I got to be outside all morning and help kids have fun playing sports!

7. I became one of my high school's Valedictorians.

Along with my 2 super amazing co-valedictorians!

Chani Corpus

I worked hard throughout high school to keep up my 4.0, thinking of my school work as a second job. I was awarded an academic scholarship for being Valedictorian, which greatly helps out with UW-Madison's cost of tuition.

8. I got a MacBook.

I love my Mac.

My parents gave me a MacBook for my graduation gift, and I love it so much. The best part is that I'm able to download all the pictures from my phone so that I don't lose them forever!

9. I hit my savings goal.

"Better have my money!"

I worked in a grocery store since I turned 16, and every single paycheck went into my savings, left untouched. Seeing my savings go up and hit my goal by the end of summer made me feel so accomplished.

10. I said yes to a new opportunity.

Me when I have writer's block like . . .

Earlier this summer I was approached to write for Odyssey! I love writing but didn't want to major in Journalism, so this was the perfect way to do what I love with way less pressure and more fun!

11. I tried yoga.

I love the part where you just lay on your back and chill.

I found yoga really relaxing, but also a great way to get in cardio without going too hard.

12. I became a Packers' season ticket holder.

My first (preseason) game as a season ticket holder!

Chani Corpus

My dad originally was the owner of the season tickets, but when I turned 18 he put the tickets in my name. I was raised a Packers fan, and I feel blessed to be able to go to so many games! Go Pack Go!

13. I got a credit card.

*Tries to be responsible with credit card*

I shop so much at TJ Maxx so I might as well get rewards and build up my credit score, right?

14. I voted for the first time.

Make sure to vote, y'all!

I voted in the Wisconsin primaries this past August! It was really easy to register, and the whole room clapped for me after I voted!

15. I took a trip to New York City.

Central Park is my favorite place in NYC.

Chani Corpus

I took my second solo trip all the way to New York City! I've been to NYC a couple times with my mom, but I had such a fun time by myself. I felt completely safe as well.

16. I got a tattoo.

The sun will rise...

Chani Corpus

... and we will try again. I've been wanting to get this tattoo for over a year now, but I was waiting for a time when I am truly was happy with where I am in life, and that's now.

Other than the song lyrics, the sun rising each day means so much to me. Even after my darkest days, the sun still rises, and so do I. There have been so many mornings where I've felt broken, but then I see the sun out and I remember that that day is a new day, a fresh start, a reason to keep going.

17. I cut my hair short.

Did you really go to college if you didn't cut your hair the week before?

Chani Corpus

The last time I cut my hair short was two years ago and I cried because it was way too short. This time, it was the perfect length and I was ready to take on college with a new, cute look!

18. I moved in at UW-Madison.

GO BADGERS!

Chani Corpus

I'm so happy to call Madison home. I've met amazing people and can't wait to see where I go from here!

My 18th year has been full of amazing adeventures, and I couldn't have asked for better. Here's to another year of loving life!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

81999
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

9379
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments