My 19 years of life has thrown more at me than I could ever imagine. There have been experiences when I've felt love and loss, victories and failures, happiness and sadness; the list goes on and on. Throughout these experiences I have been able to reflect and take away 19 important life lessons I’ve learned in my 19 years of life.

1. Family is forever, no matter how crazy.

It's true. No matter how crazy and dysfunctional, you can't change your DNA. Family is forever.

2. Friends slowly become a part of that crazy family.

Whether you’ve know them for 14 years, or just a few months, your friends become family. They support you even when you're an absolute mess, or being crazy indecisive. They are there to laugh with you, cry with you, do silly things with you, and most importantly, they love you regardless.

3. Your education is a privilege.

An education isn't something you're entitled too. Going to college is a gift. Study because you want to further your education; don't look at it as a hindrance.

4. A bad grade doesn’t define your intelligence.

You could be the smartest person alive, and still manage to fail your bio test. A grade isn't an accurate representation of how far you've grown as a student, and how smart you really are.

5. Step outside your comfort zone.

You never know until you try, and that's 110 percent true. Really amazing things come from stepping outside your comfort zone.

6. Listen to others, and be open to different opinions.

You'd be surprised how much you could learn by listening to others.

7. Be passionate.

Life is brighter if you're doing something you're passionate about. Your passion, and positive energy will flow into others.

8. Don’t let your worries overwhelm your happiness.

You lose more energy worrying then focusing on things that make you happy.

9. Celebrate the small victories.

Even if it was just remembering to feed your fish, be able to be proud of anything you accomplish.

10. Celebrate the big ones too.

Seriously, you worked for that. My swim coach once told me, “The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary,” and unfortunately we don’t live in a dictionary.

11. Don’t hold grudges.

Letting go of grudges is freeing. Your mind is able to open up, and you can learn to love others well regardless of your differences.

12. Celebrate birthdays.

You're not promised one next year, so enjoy it while you can. It is your special day to celebrate another year of being alive.

13. Be funny. Don’t be afraid to be a little crazy.

It’s OK to be a little crazy. We all are.

14. Believe that wishes come true. Follow your heart.

Have faith wishes can come true. Trust that your heart will lead you in the right direction. If you're listening to your heart, don't worry, you're on the right path.

15. Tell the people in your life that you love them each and everyday.

You never know when someone will be taken from you. Enjoy every moment you can with the people you love.

16. You will have teachers that will always continue to be your cheerleaders, even if you’re 500 miles away.

I hope to be as great of a teacher someday. I have some big shoes to fill.

17. Enjoy the sun.

That is something that's overlooked, but is one of life’s greatest gifts.

18. Be yourself.

Psalm 139:13-14 says, "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

There's only ONE of you. Why try to be anyone else? It's actually impossible.

19. Jesus loves me more than I could ever know.

John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."