18 Things I Learned At 18
Start writing a post
Student Life

18 Things I Learned At 18

It's so much more than love songs and graduation.

59
18 Things I Learned At 18

Everybody knows the age of 18. There are so many songs written about it, and it would be weird if someone didn't sing 18 by One Direction on your 18th birthday. Sadly, you only have 365 days of being able to listen to those songs, and then you're 19 and those songs don't apply to you anymore.

July 20th was a sad day this year, because those songs stopped applying to me. I turned 19, and there aren't any love songs about being 19. However, in the time that i was 18, I learned a lot of things. So, here's a list of 18 things that I learned at 18:

1. Friends are very important.

I'm not just talking about the TV show. Keeping people close is good, and telling them about your feelings is good.

2. However, you are MORE important.

Say it with me: self-love isn't selfish. Self-love isn't selfish.

3. Naps are my best friend.


When life gets too hard, take a nap. You'll feel better, and you'll be able to look at things differently when you wake up.

4. Letting down your guard doesn't have to mean pain.

Too often, letting people see the real you is associated with pain. Letting down your guard and letting people in should be celebrated.

5. Emotions absolutely suck.

After going through a heartbreak that almost physically broke me, I came to the conclusion that emotions suck a lot and should be stopped. However...

6. Feelings things doesn't make you weak.

Feeling those sucky emotions is a GOOD thing. Letting yourself feel emotions is GOOD and shows that you're a human being who has a heart.

7. Loving a guy is hard.


A lot of ups and downs with this one, and even though I'm totally single, loving said guy was one of the best things I've done.

8. Giving yourself space is amazing.

Taking time away from your friends and being by yourself can really help you focus on yourself and learn what you really enjoy doing, even if it just involves sitting alone in your dorm room and painting cardboard boxes.

9. Everything is an adventure.

Even if it's a trip to the gas station at 2 a.m. for snacks. Everything is an adventure.

10. Wanderlust can be conquered.

Pinterest is your friend. Travel boards are your friend.

11. Tearing down other people doesn't do anything.

Learning to love people no matter what is so terrifying and difficult, but so worth it.

12. Positivity! Is! Amazing!

I love being positive! It helps with being focused and just keeps you in such a good mood.

13. Laughter is the best form of medicine.

This goes for anything. Have the flu? Watch some videos on YouTube. Feeling down about a bad grade? Hang out with your friends and laugh.

14. Violence still isn't the answer.

Even though "fight me" is something I say all the time, violence will never bring answers to anything. It will only bring pain and a lot of bruises.

15. Making new friends can be amazing.

I love my friends from home, but going to college forced me out of a shell that I didn't know I had. Making new friends from far away places just brings in more people for me to love, and I am very welcome to that.

16. Keep an open mind at all times.

There are so many different people in the world. Everybody has their own experiences and not being judgmental makes it so much easier to accept people.

17. Goodbye doesn't always mean goodbye.

There were a lot of people I said goodbye since July 20th, 2015, and it doesn't always have to be permanent.

18. I am worth it.

I have lived my life thinking that nobody would miss me if I died. This last year has taught me that I have a worth and that worth is precious. I went from feeling worthless to full of life, and I could not ask for more.

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.

48068
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
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
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

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

30510
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.

954466
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
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

174000
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

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

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments