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10 Good Things To Happen In 2016

2016 was a wild ride, but we still have a lot to be thankful for.

Dec 13, 2016

2016 was a hectic year. With an election that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the craziest periods in American history, it's been a ride. I've compiled a list of things that should remind you, no matter your political affiliation, happy things to reflect on during 2016.

1. Giant pandas are no longer endangered

Yay! Humans have made an impact on the environment and animals, so it's exciting to see that our efforts to help the helpless have started to work.

2. We are steps closer to finding the cure to HIV

In the United Kingdom, the first patient to be treated with the new medicinal advancements has shown "remarkable" results in improvement.

3. New women of color were elected to Senate

This is actually also a record of women elected to Senate! We now have an Indian-American senator, a Somali-American Muslim senator, and Vietnamese-American senator to join the already elected Hawaiian senator. Considering the fact that not even one hundred years ago women couldn't vote, and it's amazing that women of color are able to have an influence on our government today.

4. The Ice Bucket Challenge actually made a difference

While popularized in 2015, the gene responsible was found in 2016 and means we are much closer to a cure!

5. Portugal ran on renewable energy for 107 hours straight

It's possible to completely run on renewable energy! We are just steps away from figuring out a way to do this long term, and that helps everybody.

6. 200 people attended a funeral for a World War II veteran that had no known family

After serving in one of the deadliest wars in American history, it's wonderful to see people coming together to honor his efforts.

7. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar

The only sad thing to come out of this is the loss of all the memes.

8. The Lizzie McGuire Movie is available on Netflix

This movie deserves an Oscar as much as Leo did pre-2016.

9. India planted 50 million trees in one day

This broke a world record! On average, 2.47 million trees are cut down everyday. We need to everything we can to combat this.

10. Death by heart disease has lessened by 70% in the United States

This is the number one killer of Americans, so maybe we should start thanking Pokemon Go and Michelle Obama's turnips.

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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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Recommended for you

10 Good Things To Happen In 2016

2016 was a wild ride, but we still have a lot to be thankful for.

1. Giant pandas are no longer endangered

2. We are steps closer to finding the cure to HIV

3. New women of color were elected to Senate

4. The Ice Bucket Challenge actually made a difference

5. Portugal ran on renewable energy for 107 hours straight

6. 200 people attended a funeral for a World War II veteran that had no known family

7. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar

8. The Lizzie McGuire Movie is available on Netflix

9. India planted 50 million trees in one day

10. Death by heart disease has lessened by 70% in the United States

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Actually, Kylie Jenner, 2018 is the year of realizing things.

Waking Up Early in College is So Much Harder

You Have to Get Used to Walking Everywhere

Fuzzy Socks are the Cure to All Problems

Take Every Opportunity to Get Free Food

It's Okay to Gain the "Freshman Fifteen"

Invest in Vitamins and Supplements

Making Time to Clean is Essential

Drinking Water is Actually Important

Cs get degrees!

1. Me after every class

2. If you really care about your grades

3. When you get a new homework assignment

4. When people ask what you're going to do after college

5. When you see people who don't study and get good grades

6. We're all broke here

7. FREE FOOD IS FREE FOOD!

8. When it seems like everyone in class is smart - EXCEPT THE PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP PROJECT!!

Other than knowledge and all those important things

How to take stairs.

Caffeine is your friend.

How to study.

Finding free food.

How to take a nap anywhere.

How to appreciate sleep.

How to procrastinate productively.

Surprise: This is not on the syllabus

1. As a freshman, one does get to be called “freshman” by upperclassmen when they walk to parties in a mob of people.

2. Some of the best stories happen after 2 a.m.

3. Upperclassmen live for meal swipes from freshman because they are poor and need free food.

4. People are struggling just as much as you are so you're not alone.

5. You will never take privacy or personal space for granted ever again.

6. You are not the only one who has slept on the community bathroom floor after a night out.

7. Skipping class for Netflix is a valid excuse.

8. It’s totally acceptable to bring a pot of coffee, a sleeping bag and a pillow to the library.

9. Having class with a friend is the best because you can trade off days on who goes to class.

10. When you are a senior, you take the easiest classes to boost your GPA.

11. How to pull an all-nighter.

12. How to handle drunk people.

13. The drunk you does not look out for sober you about 90 percent of the time.

14. How to deal with a hangover.

15. How to interact with people very different from you.

16. The perfect amount to procrastinate on every assignment.

17. How to pass a class without paying for the textbook that was "required."

18. How to calculate your grades to see what you need on every test in order to maintain a passing grade.

19. How to hook-up with someone without getting emotions involved (but we all know that doesn’t happen).

20. How to handle your roommate when you want to strangle them.

21. That you miss your parent’s every day.

22. How to get into a bar when you aren’t 21.

23. How to BS on assignments, out loud and on your resume.

24. That theme parties are the greatest.

25. How to find free events that have free food.

26. That when there are puppies on campus it will be the greatest day of your life.

27. Alarms are necessary and you must set like seven of them in order to wake up in time for class.

28. Greek parties are exactly how they are in movies.

29. Care packages are treated like Christmas presents.

30. The friends you meet in college will become your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

31. That printers only break when you need them the most.

32. Cereal, ramen noodles, Easy Mac and microwavable pancakes can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

33. That classes before 8 a.m. should be illegal.

34. Changing your major is OK.

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

"You should know exactly what career is right for your future by the time you're 18."

"Save all your money."

"Get plenty of sleep and adjust to a regular sleep schedule."

"Make sure to eat healthy, balanced meals. Don't forget those fruits and vegetables."

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