For many people, 2016 was a rough year. It was for me as well. Every year you learn new things about life. From the ending of my high school career to the beginning of college I learned a great deal of things, but here are the important ones.
1. Setting goals isn't a stupid exercise.
When the going gets tough you can always look back on your goals to remind yourself of what you need or want to do. It helps immensely, especially when you're feeling really down.
2. Not everyone is going to like you
It's just that simple. Stop trying to make everyone like you because in the end you won't like you. As long as you're happy and you think you've been a nice person, that's what matters.
3. Listen more, talk less.
We've become a generation of people who listen to respond and not to understand.I'll admit I'm guilty of talking too much sometimes, so you're not the only one. Be quiet and let someone else talk for once.
4. You can't plan everything.
Not everything can be planned, so don't freak out when things change. Sometimes, you have more fun when you just go with the flow.
5. A planner will be your best friend.
On the flipside, you want to have some organization. When things get crazy, you can always have a planner to fall back on, especially if you forget something.
6. Peer pressure is stupid so don't listen to it.
Don't change yourself to be "cool," because it's actually cooler to just be yourself and make your own decisions.
7. Accept change with grace.
Things change and life goes on. Please don't get so absorbed in change that you cannot focus on anything else.
8. It's okay to eat alone.
Most of the people you think are staring at you in the dining hall probably aren't.
9. Don't latch onto someone who doesn't care.
Delete the number. Unfriend the person. Stop texting them. Do whatever you need to do to stop worrying about them.
10. Turn off social media once in a while.
Your SnapChat story doesn't always have to be active. You don't have to waste time scrolling through cat videos on Facebook. It's not a big deal if you don't Instagram something. Let it go and have fun doing something else instead.
11. Stop using the word hate.
You may strongly dislike someone but you don't hate them, so stop saying you do. It's not worth it to spread that unhappiness around.
12. Learn from the past but don't dwell on it.
We've all had experiences of bad friendships, relationships, college classes, etc., but don't dwell on them. If you keep thinking about them, it will just make you feel unhappier.
13. Naps are magical.
Just take them, okay? Enough said. Your health is important. Also, you don't want to fall asleep in class. Save yourself the embarrassment.
14. Only you can fully get yourself out of a rut.
Your friends are there to help you, but don't expect to get out of your time of depression or sadness with just their help. If you want to be happy or successful, motivate yourself as well.
15. Don't forget your family (or close friends).
When you're at college or having a rough time, it is easy to forget that your family and friends are there for you. They may be right down the road or thousands of miles away, but they can be your support system even when you feel as though you don't have one.
16. Love yourself first.
Don't try to lose weight for other people. Do it for yourself. Don't let other people put you down if you like who you are or how you look. Be kind towards others but also toward yourself.
It may have been a rough year, but like I said, don't dwell on what's happened too much. Instead, learn from it. Make different mistakes in 2017 instead of repeating ones from 2016.