2019 was a good year with some meltdown moments, but it was fun. It also taught me and so many people very valuable life lessons whether we want to admit that or not. With 2020 so close and knowing that I have fun things planned for the new year already, I wanted to share some of the things that I learned and want to take into 2020 with me.
Talking things out is going to solve more problems than bottling your emotions.Â
This is the most important thing I learned this year. Talking things out with people, whether it's a friend, family member, or roommate, can help you figure out so much more than just setting your feelings aside and pretending they don't exist.
Grades do not define you.
You can have good grades and have fun at the same time.
It's possible, I promise. You can have good grades and spend time with friends.
Sometimes you have to stay up late to finish an assignment.
Even if you didn't procrastinate until the last minute, sometimes staying up late is your only option. Even if you did procrastinate, it still may be your only option to finish it before class.
Fun nights with friends can help you relax in a way that staying in for the night just can't compete with.
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Laughter is truly the best medicine.
The only other thing that can help as much as laughter can sometimes is a good cry.
There is nothing wrong with the occasional Netflix binge.
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Change is inevitable; sometimes you have to go with the flow.
It is okay to slow down.
When everything seems to be going to fast, it's okay to take a step back. Take some time and stop rushing through things. Take a bath, do some deep breathing, read, watch a movie, pick your favorite thing to relax and do it.
Drinking water is important.Â
You can't survive on only coffee and soda all the time. Drink some water and put the sugar filled drinks down every once and a while.
Enjoy the little things.
Things like morning coffees, or when your dog cuddles up next to you and puts his head on your lap, drives with friends, inside jokes and familiar places.
Take pictures.
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Take pictures of places, your pets, your friends, things you like, moments you want to keep or remember. Having pictures to look back on when you are older and remembering what it was like to be who you are right now will be so cool. So do it!
Listen to your professors and teachers!
This can be anything from tips to getting the grade you want in the class to little bits of life advice. For example, lessons I learned were to not go to bed angry and to buy chocolate for the people you love because sometimes they need it.
Spend time with your family.
Yeah, sometimes they can annoy you in ways that you thought were unimaginable or impossible, but you love them anyway.
Hang out with your friends.
When you all go off to different colleges make time to hang out while you are all still home. If you go to the same college but live different places, hang out while you still can before break.
Sometimes all you need is some good music.
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Turn up the music as loud as you need it and just chill or scream out the lyrics. This is also really fun to do with friends and can be just as therapeutic to have someone to scream sing with.
Step out of your comfort zone and test your limits.
Stay safe and be smart when doing this. Have fun and try new things!
Asking for help does NOT make you weak.
This was another big one I had to learn this year. I am so bad at asking for help when I think I can do things on my own. This was one I had to learn on my own and be stubborn about until I figured out that I can't do everything on my own.
Sometimes you need to get out of the house, sometimes you need to stay in and chill.
Both of these are okay! It depends on your mood and the day you have had but when you need to unwind, you do it in whatever way feels comfortable and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
