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Health and Wellness

20 Lessons I Learned By Age 20

20 lessons for 20 years of life.

Anna Combs

Jan 18, 2017

UNC Charlotte

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My 20th birthday is right around the corner, and as I look back on the last 20 years, I can think of many important lessons I've learned. Some things might've been learned the hard way, but here are 20 things I learned in 20 years of life.

1. Learn to laugh at yourself.

It'll only lighten up the mood.

2. Get involved in things.

Clubs, internships, jobs...whatever it is, it lets you find people with similar interests and you'll make some of your closest friends that way.

3. The number of friends you have doesn't matter.

Quality over quantity.

4. Be kind.

It'll get you much further than being mean.

5. Take school seriously.

School may be hard sometimes, but you can't just joke around with it.

6. People make mistakes.

Learn to forgive them.

7. You can never have too many candles.

They can make any room feel more cozy.

8. Home might not be a place; it might just be a specific person or group of people.

Someone can feel just as much like home as some place can.

9. Be accepting of all people.

Gender, race, and sexuality shouldn't matter.

10. It's okay to say no.

And you shouldn't feel bad about doing so.

11. Do not settle for a guy.

The right one will come around, but do not settle just so you can have a guy by your side.

12. Having a designated driver or an Uber is so important.

Don't drink and drive. Enough said.

13. Friends will come and friends will go.

If they leave your life, it's okay; you didn't need them anyways.

14. Naps are good.

If you have the opportunity to nap, do it.

15. Studying actually works.

You'd be surprised that sitting down and taking the time to study actually pays off.

16. Make a list before going grocery shopping.

You'll save yourself lots of money.

17. Let people vent to you, and find people to vent to.

Everyone needs some time to just get their feelings out.

18. You might have your heart broken, but you'll be okay.

Heartbreak hurts, but in the long run, you will survive.

19. Find your passion and never let go of it.

Learn what you're passionate for, and never let anybody convince you it's not important.

20. Don't spend all your money on food.

You don't always have to go out to eat.

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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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20 Lessons I Learned By Age 20

20 lessons for 20 years of life.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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