If I take a look back into the past, I have become a completely different person in the last couple years. From being a freshman in high school to a freshman in college, there have been so many ups and downs that have truly made my life memorable so far. And just like most kids, I went through tough times where I really could have used advice from someone older and a little smarter than me. Well, I am older now, maybe a tiny bit smarter, and this is just some of the many pieces of advice I would give my younger self if I could.

1. Find what makes you happy and then do it.

2. Make friends who you can be 100 percent yourself with, and spend time on those relationships.

3. Work hard for what you want. Life does not come to those who wait, it comes to those who push themselves.

4. Write when life is bad and write when life is good. Write always.

5. Remember you are stronger and more brilliant than you know.

6. But you also have a long way to go before you become who you will be.

7. Eat chocolate.

8. Take pictures to remind you of memories otherwise forgotten.

9. Make mistakes.

10. Nothing matters unless you want it to.

11. Take risks.

12. Never let fear stop you.

13. Wherever you go, go with passion or not at all.

14. Spend time with yourself, learn about who you are.

15. Do not let life turn you into a cynic.

16. Smile a lot. Laugh even more.

17. Have adventures. No one ever looks back and remembers the nights they got a good nights sleep.

18. Perspective is everything. Your world may be shattering but those shards can be pieces of a new mosaic.

19. Be kind to everyone. A man is measured by how he treats someone who can do nothing for him.

20. Listen to everyone else’s opinion, then make your choice based on what you feel is right.

21. Do not worry about things you can’t control. Life has a funny habit of working out the way it should.

22. Fall in love with your life. It’s going to be an incredible ride.