I'm nearing two decades on this Earth, and I've learned a few things- few is an understatement, of course. Having said that, I feel that I am a fairly credible source of knowledge. I know the younger generations might find stuff like this annoying and redundant, but there's so much that is unknown in the world, so why not get whatever advice you can from people who've experienced it.

In a world of instant gratification, learn to be diligent.

We live in a time where much of what we want, we're able to get without much thought. Instant access to information, instant purchasing, instant communication- all which requires little effort. I challenge you to go out of your way and work toward what you're trying to achieve. Need to do research on Canada for a class? Take yourself to the library and find a book- proceed to actually read it.

Care about your impact on the Earth.

This goes beyond finding your purpose, and how you can use it to make the world a better place. Of course, do that! Also, be conscious of how you could be physically harming it. There's a lot of fancy, greedy people who are using the Earth as an instrument to manipulate various components. Become aware of what you can do to combat that. I know it's super easy to get into the "I'm only one person, it doesn't matter" mentality. As the phrase goes, "every penny counts"...YOU count.

It's not cool to be a slacker.

It's become such a trend to be so unbothered by everything around you. Shrugging off that D- and laughing about it with the bros later isn't the epitome of cool. You'll come to find that when you're older, having goals and determination is extremely in. This world was not made for slackers, and we're fostering a society where that's all we have; make their 50% your 100%.

Always know what you're being fed.

No, I do not mean your food. Know what you're being fed through media and those around you. We tend to get swept away into whatever we hear or "see" because everyone else is getting fed the same stuff and reinforcing it. It's our own responsibility to check the facts and decipher the truth. The choices are as follows: be ignorant and believe everything, be skeptical and believe nothing, or become interested in seeking the truth and learning what's really happening in our world.

There are usually more options than you think.

Often we feel limited by our options and view choices as black or white, A or B. Then once the decision is made, you stand back and realize that there were several things you missed. Always think outside the cookie-cutter box and find a new perspective. Time isn't always a luxury we have when making decisions, but give yourself as much time as possible.

It doesn't make sense to be anything but kind.

Society is so much set on independence and individual gain that we don't really stop to genuinely think of others outside our immediate circle. Being a decent human being has all do to with understanding we're all human beings. Everyone is just trying to get by in their day to day, and somebody probably would appreciate an act of kindness just as much as you would.

All in all, hold yourself accountable in your life. Know that the problem isn't usually just someone else, it very well might be you. The world is a large place with so many diverse people, be kind to it and those you encounter. Remember, the only experience you get is the one you're experiencing now, so make it matter. Allow only what is true and meaningful into your life- for everything that follows will be much clearer.