2017 was definitely a roller coaster ride. So many things happened very quickly and then it all disappeared in the blink of an eye. Just a year ago I had yet to hear from the University of Maryland and I was still in high school, without knowing where I was going to end up. Since then, I’ve learned so much about myself and about what is important in life. It may be cliché but every step of this year taught me something new. I’ve grown closer to my home friends through important events such as prom and graduation. I’ve learned more about myself as I committed to college, completed my first semester, and made new friends for life. Even the summer between finishing high school and starting college taught me some of the more important lessons of all. Overall, 2017 will be a year to remember.

Here are just 17 of the lessons I’ve learned in 2017:

1. Ask for what you want

2. Say what you mean

The only way to get what you want is to say what you mean. Unfortunately, I’ve learned this the hard way because I was too afraid to ruin a moment. I know now that I will be much happier if I am able to say what I want instead of just agreeing to what the other person is saying.

3. Stand up for yourself

4. A few friends are better than fake friends

Between high school friend drama towards the end of the school year and making friends first semester, this was a year about learning who my true friends are. True friends stick by your side, check in on your life and make sure to be inclusive. I am so grateful for the friends (old and new) who are there for me through the good times and the bad.

5. Just because you are at a party, doesn't mean that your problems will go away (and don't stay at a party for other people, stay because you want to)

6. It’s okay to treat others how they treat you because sometimes that’s the only way they understand how you felt

“Treat others the way you want to be treated” is a statement that has been ingrained in my head since elementary school. Believe me when I say that I hate being exclusive or hurting other people’s feelings but sometimes having a backbone is the most important thing of all.

7. Throw the party, it’s worth the clean up

8. Don’t allow others to be embarrassed to be with you

9. Family is the most important thing of all

10. Your worth isn’t defined by a Snapchat streak

Social media in the 21st century has become compulsive and controlling, but it is important to remind yourself that a number does not define you or your friendships with other people.

11. Don’t let one person ruin something you enjoy doing with a lot of people

12. If you like it, do it

I have always enjoyed writing but I finally took the leap this year when I started writing for the Odyssey. I am so grateful that I’ve found a place where I can write about whatever I want to write about and have a platform to publish it on.

13. Just because you don’t talk everyday, doesn’t mean you aren’t friends

14. Taking your time with an important decision doesn’t make you indecisive, it makes you thoughtful

15. No matter the answer, send the text. It’ll feel better than wondering “what if”

16. True friends are the ones who allow you to cry about the same thing over and over again and still give you advice

If your friends get annoyed with you for coming to them for advice for the same problem more than once, chances are they aren’t good friends. Thankfully, I have found true friends who do not care if I tell them the same story or complain about the same problem day after day.

17. Letting go is the only way to move forward

While these weren't the only lessons I've learned in 2017, reflecting back, they are the important things that I am taking with me as 2018 begins. Hopefully they stick!