Nineteen is such an uncomfortable age. It's the weird in-between stage of adolescence and adulthood. You are expected to act like an adult, but there are still those instances where you are treated like a child. I believe life is full of learning experiences, so here are 19 things I learned in my 19 years.
1. Don't blame others for your own failures
It recently came to my attention, that I tend to blame other people when I fail at something, whether it be in school, sports or anything else. The people who try to help (teachers, coaches, etc.) do the best they can to try and help by sharing everything they know. It is not your teachers fault you failed that test or received a bad grade on an essay, it's your work and your fault. It's that time in life where you have to own up to your mistakes.
2. It's OK to not know what you're doing
Whether it comes to life or school, it's OK to not know what you're doing or what you want to do in life. Plans change, majors change, jobs change and friends change. Right now, life is a go with the flow kind of thing.
3. The people you associate with shape who you are
This is a big lesson I have learned, especially while being in college. When you're with your friends basically 24/7, their actions will influence you and eventually will become you're actions.
4. Go to that concert
It doesn't matter if you know who is playing or not. Grab a group of friends and pay a couple of bucks to listen to some good music and dance all night. One of the best nights I had in a long time was spending $20 to see Lil Wayne on a whim.
5. It's OK to not know where home is
This is a little more relatable for those people who go away to school. While you're at school, back home is home, but when you finally go home, school is considered home. It can get confusing and weird but it's totally OK to not know which home to call home.
6. Don't sit in your bed on Friday and Saturday nights
Go out and have fun. Good stories aren't made by chilling alone binge-watching "Grey's Anatomy" all night. Your bed will be waiting for you at the end of the night, trust me.
7. Don't take the aux if you can't aux
For the sake of everyone around you, if your playlists aren't fire don't take the aux from someone who had a fire playlist lined up. Guaranteed no one around will be happy, and you'll get kicked off aux.
8. You are your own worst enemy
Overthinking can and will get the best of you. Try not to get lost in your own head and worry about the "what ifs?" The majority of the time, we think of such unrealistic scenarios that will never happen.
9. Always step out of your comfort zone
Staying in a place that feels safe is always nice, but breaking the comfort zone is crucial to success. Doing new things, exploring new places and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations help you grow as a person. Staying within the comfort zone is allowing yourself to plateau.
10. Nothing beats waking up early
You will feel better waking up at 9 a.m. instead of 11 a.m., trust me.
11. Quality over quantity
With specific regards to friends, it's better have a few close friends you can always count on then a dozen distant acquaintances.
12. Make quick impulse decisions
Thinking about making decisions for too long leads to hesitations, regrets and thinking about all the "what ifs?" Sure, not all decisions are meant to be made on impulse, but those lead to learning experiences and that's what life is all about, right?
13. Call your grandparents
You've grown up and probably moved away, your grandparents don't get to see you as often and they want to know what you're up to. Give them a call. Once a week, once every two weeks, once a month, it doesn't matter how frequent just give them a call and keep them updated on your life.
14. Always attend the events that offer free food
As a broke college student, trust me when I say that anything that offers free food is worth going to. The food is probably better than the dining hall, and you won't have to spend that $20 you would've spent at bdubs.
15. Never turn down a road trip
Nothing beats that one moment when you're in the car with all your friends and that one throwback song comes on, and you all burst out singing in sync. Wow, what a time to be alive.
16. Be as blunt as possible
Don't beat around the bush. It is always better to speak in I statements and be upfront with what you want or upfront when telling other people things.
17. Don't let FOMO get the best of you
Ah, the fear of missing out. Honestly, I still struggle with this, so my advice isn't the best.
18. Listen to your dad's advice
You might not think it in the moment, but your dad gives the best advice. Dads are smart people with their wisdom. I find myself thinking about advice my dad has given me more often than I ever thought I would.
19. If something doesn't make you nervous and your heart race, it's not worth doing
This goes along with stepping out of your comfort zone. All it takes is a couple seconds of insane courage and you never know what can happen. It could possibly turn into one of the best stories you have to tell your friends back home.
