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20 Things You Should Know Before You Turn 20 In The 2020s

Life doesn't happen the way you plan.

Amber Peskin

Dec 28, 2019

Miami University

20 Things You Should Know Before You Turn 20 In The 2020s

Photo by Yasmine qasem from Pexels

It's time to get on it. We are only getting older by the minute. Adulthood is going to knock us off our feet if we don't catch up.

Life doesn't happen the way you plan.

And that's the fun part.

Have a personal graveyard.

A personal graveyard is a place where all those who do you wrong go. They do not exist. They are not on your radar. You no longer affiliate with them. Do not be someone's doormat.

How to defend yourself.

And if you don't know, you should brush up on it.

Toxic friends and family are NOT friends or family.

Toxicity will absolutely ruin you. Cut that shit out of your life before it manifests.

Negativity only creates negativity.

This is not algebra. A negative plus a negative does NOT equal a positive.

Know what actually makes you happy.

This may take some time. Nevertheless, it is still important.

Buy the expensive purse.

YOLO.

What others think of you is none of your business.

Stop caring about what people think of you. It is none of your business if they love or hate you. The only person's opinion that matters in regard to your own life is your own.

Know how to cook at least three meals WELL.

Contrary to popular belief, ramen noodles do not count as a meal.

You don't need to know what you want out of your life.

I know most people do not like to talk about it, but it is OK to go with the flow. It is not necessary to have every single detail of your life planned.

Putting yourself first is important.

It is super cheesy, but you are the only version of yourself. You only get one life. Do not waste it making it about irrelevant people or things.

"No" is not a bad word.

As Meghan Trainor sings: "My name is no. My sign is no. My number is no. You need to let it go."

Everyone knows something you don't.

You will never know everything. It is a fact.

Your popularity will not matter.

This isn't high school anymore.

Success obtained by sacrificing happiness is not success.

You may be making the President's List, but neglecting your daily needs is a huge sacrifice. Not sleeping, eating, and taking care of yourself is detrimental.

Always carry cash.

You never know when Kroger's credit card machine is going to crash.

Always have an escape plan.

Sadly, this is important. You need to always know where you are and how to get out of a sticky situation.

Never let your gas tank get lower than 1/4 of a tank.

Especially during the winter.

If you don't like where you are: move.

"I stopped thinking; I just go out, and everything is in the moment. I just stop thinking and start moving—you just gotta be you." - Lil Uzi Vert

If you are not part of the solution: you are the problem.

And that's the tea, sis.

This article may not mean a lot coming from someone who is 18, but it's the thought that counts.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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20 Things You Should Know Before You Turn 20 In The 2020s

Life doesn't happen the way you plan.

Life doesn't happen the way you plan.

Have a personal graveyard.

How to defend yourself.

Toxic friends and family are NOT friends or family.

Negativity only creates negativity.

Know what actually makes you happy.

Buy the expensive purse.

What others think of you is none of your business.

Know how to cook at least three meals WELL.

You don't need to know what you want out of your life.

Putting yourself first is important.

"No" is not a bad word.

Everyone knows something you don't.

Your popularity will not matter.

Success obtained by sacrificing happiness is not success.

Always carry cash.

Always have an escape plan.

Never let your gas tank get lower than 1/4 of a tank.

If you don't like where you are: move.

If you are not part of the solution: you are the problem.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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