Throughout high school I was fortunate, yet unappreciative, on how often I was able to straighten my hair. It was not until college until my hair became a true force to be reckoned with. So, I guess it is safe to say that I learned how to (force myself to kind of) love it.

1. There just is not any time to tame it.

Starting my classes freshman year and balancing all of the new changes, I was daunted to come to the realization that I simply cannot spare an average of 40 minutes to an hour to fry my thick curls. Nobody has time for that– especially in college.

2. Messy buns are socially acceptable. Thank God.

Waking up with a massive amount of curls framing your face most of the time, there is no way I can attempt at styling it. With that being said, the messy bun has become my best friend. With curly hair, I can achieve this oh-so-glamourous look in less than a minute. I have slowly come to appreciate it.

3. Sometimes it looks kind of cool?

On days when it does not look too uncontrollable, it has potential to look somewhat awesome. The volume is just right, the frizz is turned down a notch and it is not so curly where it makes it look like my hair is five inches shorter than it actually is.

4. You do not need to wash it everyday.

The curls are so thick and it is already ridiculously dry. It is also definitely not going to lose its volume and become flat. In fact, going a day or two without shampooing seems to make it less frizzed.

5. It’s different.

I have learned over the years, like anyone else, that being different is a good thing. Everybody has something that makes them unique. My crazy curls tend to stand out in a crowd of perfectly straightened hair.

6. When you can wear it straightened to perfection, it's a nice change.

On those rare occasions when you feel like it needs to be straightened, after the long process is over, it is a good feeling. I feel like a million bucks and it looks like it grew a couple inches over night. Being able to have my hair go from super-one-of-a-kind curls to silky smooth is an incredibly versatile advantage.

7. Whenever it rains, I could not care less.

Unless my hair is straightened of course, then that is a real problem. When it is curly, it actually makes my hair less frizzed. I do not need to worry about getting it wet because it is not like I actually tried to style it with an iron. Phew.

8. Having curly hair is funny. It is like a big joke.

I am constantly trying to get huge knots out of my hair along with breaking hair ties. My friends are always saying, "Wow! You're hair is crazzzzyyyy! I wish I had curly hair" Yes, I am fully aware, would you like to trade? Taking out a hair tie is the definition of a real struggle. Trying to do that in public is slightly embarrassing. However, after all these years, I've had to learn just to laugh at it.

9. Eventually you find a product that works for you.

After years and years battling with the curly-haired curse, I have somewhat figured out what products to use. People always suggest different hair creams, oils, etc. You get kind of tired of hearing it, especially if their hair is incomparable to yours. I have tried everything from the keratin treatment in attempt to make it less curly to dropping tons of money on salon shampoos and conditioners. I admit that the keratin was nice while is lasted, however is it really worth all that money? After all, I am a college student with very limited funds. I think that I have FINALLY *fingers crossed* found my remedy. These past few weeks, I have been using store-bought sulfate free shampoo and run a small glob of organic coconut oil through damp hair.

10. Curls give confidence.

I used to be insanely insecure about having curly hair. Especially circa 2007-2009 in middle school (yikes). Learning to embrace it has served as a template for my logic in life for when I feel not so great about something. I learned how to work them and get over my uptight feelings about my hair. I now know how to work it to my advantage and embrace it like Beyonce.