As a new-be to the 20-year-old culture, I have found that just because you’re ‘not a teen’ anymore does not mean you are yet an adult. Twenty is inevitably one of the most confusing, traumatic and life changing times in everyone’s life. So while you’re going through this insane, crazy whirlwind of a time, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. People can’t read your mind and being stubborn takes way too much effort. Communicate with people and express your feelings.
2. There’s over 7 BILLION people in the world… don’t waste your time being upset over one of them.
3. Wake up early. Those 15 extra minutes you get by hitting the snooze button won’t make you any less tired so wake up, get ready and embrace the day.
4. Always give people a second chance, but probably not a third.
5. Your ‘party’ friends aren’t necessarily your ‘real friends’.
6. Make a budget for yourself. Paying back student loans is hard enough as it is; don’t waste your money on a 1.75 of vodka.
7. Getting high might be fun at the moment, but it gets old and it (eventually) makes you fat.
8. Your first love probably won’t be your only love.
9. For every sh*tty person you meet, I promise that there will be 10 more people that will surprise you with their kindness.
10. Never take the easy way out. Don’t take off work to party and don’t half-ass the paper for your English class, you’ll appreciate your hard work in the end.
11. Quit falling into peer pressure. It’s time to start making decisions for you. After all, you aren’t a teen anymore.
12. If someone says that you’re too good for them, they’re probably right.
13. Don’t ignore your professors. They have an unlimited amount of connections when it comes to hooking you up with an internship or a job, so take the time to talk to them.
14. Little things become the big things. Make a birthday card for your dad, send a text to your friend from back home telling them to have a good day or say hello to a stranger. It matters.
15. Kill people with kindness.
16. Don’t forget to call your parents. They are the one’s who love you unconditionally despite your flaws.
17. Work out. Do pilates. Go to hot yoga. Whatever it is, stay active.
18. Pray.
19. Saying, “I’m sorry” or “you were right” doesn’t make you weaker or any less of a person.
20. If you aren’t happy with the person you are or who you’ve become, remember that it’s never too late to be who you could’ve been.