Transitioning from your teen years to adulthood can be challenging. Adulthood is like being thrown into the deep end and having to figure out how to swim by yourself. Here are sixteen life lessons that young adults must learn on their own.

1. Not everything will be handed to you. You are going to have to work really hard and put all your effort into getting where you want to be life.

2. Do not be friends with people who put you down. You do not need to waste your time on people who do not encourage and support you.

3. Some friendships and relationships will not work out, but others will. Do not get caught up on the people that you lost, but be grateful for the people that are still by your side.

4. Pursue the education and career that you want. Do not let other people’s opinions influence your dreams for yourself.

5. Plain and simple… life is not fair.

6. Do not obsess over having to pay off student loans and bills all the time. Everything will get paid, but do not forget to put some money aside for your future or for something you want to do.

7. Do not work just to get a paycheck. Life is so much more than money. Find a job that you love and that inspires you to use your skills.

8. Do what you love to do. Read a book, go hiking, go play baseball, do something you love, because your own happiness matters.

9. Do not dread on the past. Working on building the present and the future is a much better use of your time.

10. Do not let your thoughts and emotions take control of your life. Get out into the world and do the things that you were once too scared to do.

11. Plan for your future. Set goals as to where you want to be in your career in ten years, or for your own personal growth.

12. Do not get so caught up in your goals. This may sound contradicting, but it is not. Do not feel as if you cannot go out and live your life because it will hurt your plan for your future, it will not.

13. You will fail. Pick yourself back up and learn from it so you do not make the same mistakes again.

14. Do not stay in your home town forever; instead, go out and explore the world before you officially settle down in one spot. You will create lifetime memories and who knows, you might find a new place that you want to call home.

15. Seek long-term happiness not just short-term.

16. Fall in love with yourself. Do not get so caught up in loving other people, that you forget to love yourself.