Life is a roller coaster. There are ups and downs and twists and turns, but at the end, you look back and it was a blast. Being a college student has exposed me to so many different experiences and people and I have learned something from each journey I embark on. Though life may not always be easy, it is always worth it, and these lessons I've learned along the way have made it a lot easier.

Things will get better.

I think back to a year ago and realize what a different place I was in. I had hit rock bottom in my life and everything was going wrong. I stumbled and fell and somehow ended up where I am today. Things got better because I never gave up, and looking back, that girl I was last year is a stranger. Eventually every storm runs out of rain and the sun will shine again, you just have to keep your chin up and believe. I promise, things always get better.

People will leave.

People will leave. They will leave you and rip your heart out of your chest and leave you breathless. You will cry and wonder how you will ever live without them. But you will, and one day you will wake up and realize that you don't miss them anymore, and that you don't need them anymore. People always leave, but it's you who decides whether or not you let them hurt you. Don't rely on other people for your happiness, because they will drop it every time. I've learned that people leave, but you don't need people like that in your life anyways.

Trust yourself.

I've had to make a lot of decisions in this past year and it's been scary. At the end of the day, you have to follow your heart and do what is best for you. No one can tell you what is best for you besides you. Give yourself some credit and know that you have good and smart instincts. Trust yourself in all the decisions you make and move forward confidently toward your dreams.

Eat the damn cake.

Cake, pizza, mozzarella sticks, whatever the hell it is you want to eat, eat it. Life is too short for diets and calorie counting. Treat yourself from time to time, you deserve it. Food is delicious. Stop worrying about it and eat the damn cake.

There are good people in this world.

There are so many amazing people in this world, you just have to find them. Find friends who make you glad you are alive. Spend time with people who make you want to wake up every single morning because the thought of seeing them is enough to keep you going. Befriend people who make you laugh till you cry and who hug you when you are sad. Love the people who answer your texts and calls at 2am because they leave their phone on in case you need them. Stop wasting time on toxic and shitty people. Find friends who love you endlessly and make you love yourself, and do not settle for anything less.

Your grades do not determine your self worth.

You are not that failed bio exam or that D on a paper. You are so much more than a letter grade. Never forget how smart you are and that no quiz or paper can show what an amazing human being you are.

Spend time alone.

Spend time alone and don't apologize for it. Do something for yourself, read, take a nap, go on an adventure. Being around others can be exhausting and draining. Be comfortable with being alone and enjoy it. You will not regret taking time for yourself every once in a while.

Be happy.

Fall in love with being alive. Laugh, smile, dance for no damn reason. Do your hair and your makeup. Go for a drive at 1am and blast your favorite song. Tell your friends and family that you love them. Pet your dogs. Clean your room. Do yoga, meditate. Life is a gift and you deserve to be happy. Find happiness everyday. You know, I spent a long time being unhappy, with my life and with myself, but all I did was look at the negatives. Find the positive things in your life and cherish them. Be f*cking happy. Just do it, find it, and hold on to it for dear life.

Love yourself.

Do not pinch your stomach and your thighs. Do not hurt your body. Stop calling yourself names and telling yourself you aren't good enough. Love yourself. Love the sound of your laugh, love the birthmark on your arm, love those freckles on your face, love every inch of yourself. Embrace who you are and what you stand for. Learning to love yourself is the key to life. Learn to love yourself so that you don't have to rely on others to. Honestly, just love yourself because you can and you should. There is only one you and it would be a damn shame to hate something so unique and wonderful. If there is one thing I have learned it is that once you love yourself everything changes. Be good to yourself and fall in love with the beautiful human being that you are.

Life has taught me so many things already, and it continues to do so everyday. Open your mind to the world around you and embrace everything it has to offer.