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20 Things I Learned By The Time I Turned 20 That Have Helped Me Grow As A Person

I stopped letting people rewrite my story for me.

Katie Smith

Feb 26, 2019

Butler University

212

20 Things I Learned By The Time I Turned 20 That Have Helped Me Grow As A Person

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I just had my 20th birthday and looking back on everything that has happened to me these past 2 decades, everything that tried to tear me down but made me for instead, I was able to see how much I have grown and how thankful I am for it. Here are the most important things I have learned these past 20 years.

1. Never Let Anyone Rewrite Your Story

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There will always be people in this world that will try to rewrite your truths for you. This kind of manipulation is not okay, so remember that your truths are your truths, not theirs.

2. Put The Pad On The Swiffer

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I forgot to do this at one of my first jobs...don't be like me because you will never live it down.

3. Don't Choose Your Major Based On Money

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It will never make you happy in the end. Love the work you do, don't live by a dollar sign.

4. That Chocolate Bar Isn't Going To Kill You

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When you're younger, your body has probably the best metabolism of your life. I remember being one of those young teenage girls worrying endlessly about my weight and I missed out on a lot because of it. Listen here, droning that one milkshake won't kill you, eating that candy bar won't determine your worth.

5. A Man Doesn't Determine Your Worth

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You were you before you met him, don't forget to still be you after he leaves.

6. Don't Dye Your Hair Blue

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It turns green and ruins your hair, never dye your hair blue...

7. Never Talk Down About Yourself

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Talking negatively about yourself lowers your self worth and it ruins your mental health in the long run. Tell yourself you love yourself in the mirror at least once a day to combat that.

8. Splurge On A Good Purse At Least Once

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It'll look nice for interviews and such.

9. Leave At The First Sign Of Danger

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My parents used to always tell me that if you don't like something about someone when you're dating them, it'll only get worse when you're married. Don't settle for less than what you deserve.

10. Stop Using The Phrase "Guilty Pleasures"

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Love what you love and whoever shames your loving something is just not meant to be in your life.

11. Invest In A Keurig

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Okay but their coffee is cheap and SO GOOD.

12. Don't Have A Date For An Event? Take A Friend!

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I stopped worrying about dates because bring your friends is honesty so drama free and fun anyway!

13. Dress For Success

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Dress cute for yourself, it raises your self esteem! You'll feel great and look great!

14. Boys Can Be Really Stupid

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They think they can get away with anything...

15. Love Yourself Without Makeup Before You Start Wearing It

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I've worn makeup my entire life (no joke) and it wasn't until college when I started feeling comfortable enough with my face naturally. My advice, learn to love your face before you start covering, it helps your self esteem.

16. "You'll Never Know Unless You Try"

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I live by this motto anymore because it's true. You will miss out on so many opportunities if you don't try things at least once in your life. You'll make new memories from it and grow as a person, so do the thing!!!!

17. Don't Fall For The First Boy Who "Wants To Marry You One Day"

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it never lasts and you'll just end up hurt in the end

18. Invest In Good Skincare

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You and your skin will thank me later

19. Tell Everyone You Love That You Love Them

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You'll never know in life how much time you have with someone. Tell them how you feel before it's too late.

20. Choose A College That's Right For YOU, Not For Someone Else

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Don't follow a boy or friends, live your own life!!!

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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 Things I Learned By The Time I Turned 20 That Have Helped Me Grow As A Person

I stopped letting people rewrite my story for me.

In This Article:

1. Never Let Anyone Rewrite Your Story

2. Put The Pad On The Swiffer

3. Don't Choose Your Major Based On Money

4. That Chocolate Bar Isn't Going To Kill You

5. A Man Doesn't Determine Your Worth

6. Don't Dye Your Hair Blue

7. Never Talk Down About Yourself

8. Splurge On A Good Purse At Least Once

9. Leave At The First Sign Of Danger

10. Stop Using The Phrase "Guilty Pleasures"

11. Invest In A Keurig

12. Don't Have A Date For An Event? Take A Friend!

13. Dress For Success

14. Boys Can Be Really Stupid

15. Love Yourself Without Makeup Before You Start Wearing It

16. "You'll Never Know Unless You Try"

17. Don't Fall For The First Boy Who "Wants To Marry You One Day"

18. Invest In Good Skincare

19. Tell Everyone You Love That You Love Them

20. Choose A College That's Right For YOU, Not For Someone Else

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Cs get degrees!

1. Me after every class

2. If you really care about your grades

3. When you get a new homework assignment

4. When people ask what you're going to do after college

5. When you see people who don't study and get good grades

6. We're all broke here

7. FREE FOOD IS FREE FOOD!

8. When it seems like everyone in class is smart - EXCEPT THE PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP PROJECT!!

Other than knowledge and all those important things

How to take stairs.

Caffeine is your friend.

How to study.

Finding free food.

How to take a nap anywhere.

How to appreciate sleep.

How to procrastinate productively.

Surprise: This is not on the syllabus

1. As a freshman, one does get to be called “freshman” by upperclassmen when they walk to parties in a mob of people.

2. Some of the best stories happen after 2 a.m.

3. Upperclassmen live for meal swipes from freshman because they are poor and need free food.

4. People are struggling just as much as you are so you're not alone.

5. You will never take privacy or personal space for granted ever again.

6. You are not the only one who has slept on the community bathroom floor after a night out.

7. Skipping class for Netflix is a valid excuse.

8. It’s totally acceptable to bring a pot of coffee, a sleeping bag and a pillow to the library.

9. Having class with a friend is the best because you can trade off days on who goes to class.

10. When you are a senior, you take the easiest classes to boost your GPA.

11. How to pull an all-nighter.

12. How to handle drunk people.

13. The drunk you does not look out for sober you about 90 percent of the time.

14. How to deal with a hangover.

15. How to interact with people very different from you.

16. The perfect amount to procrastinate on every assignment.

17. How to pass a class without paying for the textbook that was "required."

18. How to calculate your grades to see what you need on every test in order to maintain a passing grade.

19. How to hook-up with someone without getting emotions involved (but we all know that doesn’t happen).

20. How to handle your roommate when you want to strangle them.

21. That you miss your parent’s every day.

22. How to get into a bar when you aren’t 21.

23. How to BS on assignments, out loud and on your resume.

24. That theme parties are the greatest.

25. How to find free events that have free food.

26. That when there are puppies on campus it will be the greatest day of your life.

27. Alarms are necessary and you must set like seven of them in order to wake up in time for class.

28. Greek parties are exactly how they are in movies.

29. Care packages are treated like Christmas presents.

30. The friends you meet in college will become your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

31. That printers only break when you need them the most.

32. Cereal, ramen noodles, Easy Mac and microwavable pancakes can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

33. That classes before 8 a.m. should be illegal.

34. Changing your major is OK.

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

"You should know exactly what career is right for your future by the time you're 18."

"Save all your money."

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