Life is full of surprises, twists and turns for both the better and the worse. It's often reflected upon "if I had done this, what would have happened?" or "Man, I wish I had known that back then..." or whatever may have you. Without further ado, here's a list of things I wish I had known growing up that I know now.

1. College isn't that much different than high school

Teachers in middle and high school have always said how much "harder" college is going to be and how you "don't get study guides" in college...well, all that stressing out was for nothing. College really isn't that different, if anything we have a LOT more leniency...depending on the professor. I mean, yeah, some courses are more difficult than others, but they aren't impossible, study-everyday-of-your-life courses. And yes, we still do get study guides (in some classes....)

2. There are some things school doesn't prepare you for

Now, this is obviously, definitely 100% true, but growing up I thought that after school, life would fall into place and be smooth sailing... Well, what about taxes and insurance and budgeting and other "grown up" things that school should teach you, but doesn't? School teaches you career preparation things, but not important real-world situations...

3. Religion is what you make of it

Growing up and going to a Christian school for five years of your life and then going to a Lutheran college for four years, you learn a lot about religion. I always had the impression that religion was a necessity in life, something you just took part in because it's a part of life; that every story in the Bible was completely true and really happened as it reads. But after taking religion courses in college, I've learned that perhaps these stories are simply that. I've learned that some are simply for literary effect and may not have a single drop of historical accuracy at all. So yeah, religion is what you make of it.

4. Always fight for what you believe in

I was a timid kid, not wanting to deal with confrontation and just compromising for the sake of avoiding any trouble. If there was a major problem, let my mom handle it (she's really good at that...), but stay out of it myself. Once I went away to college, I was on my own, mom couldn't help fight for my cause anymore; it was my turn now. I've learned, especially recently with my two degree issue, that you should never give up and take it; always fight for what you believe in because you can make a difference.

5. You can't ignore emotion

I used to just shove any negativity, sadness, anger, what have you into the pit of my stomach and forget about it; basically becoming a ticking time bomb of emotion. I've learned it's better to let it out in some way, shape, or form. It's better to deal with it as it comes instead of letting it fester, which is easily said than done, of course.

6. There's life after sports

In high school, my dream was to, yes, become a veterinarian, but also on the side still play basketball whether for college or wherever there was a court and a team. Unfortunately, since graduating high school, I could count on my two hands the amount of times I've picked up a ball and played. I never imagined that I'd have a separation between myself and the court, but it happened. And you know what? It's okay. I still love playing whenever I have time, but I realize that I have more to focus on right now and that's okay.

7. It's okay to not be okay

I used to make myself believe that crying showed weakness so I would rarely do it. But sometimes life is too much, school is too much, the stress is too much...and it's okay to cry, it's okay to break down. After my freshman year of college, I realized I feel much better afterwards whenever I just let the tears flow when the impulse hits. It's not being weak, it's being human.

8. Don't miss out if you can help it

I didn't try for my full license until I was 17, about to graduate high school. Why? I didn't want to drive, I was fearful and didn't think I could do it. But now, I realize that I should have tried for it at 16 when I was first able to because I missed out on that extra step of freedom that I now enjoy having. I had considered not going to junior prom, but reflecting, I'm really glad I went because that's a high school experience no one should miss the opportunity on attending. Don't miss out on something, because you might regret it later on; get involved and experience life and make memories.

9. People leave

Growing up, when friends or family or people you thought would never go, leave you, it was pure devastation. I hated people leaving and walking out of my life and I hated doing the same to people, so I wouldn't and still don't. This is still something I struggle with, but if someone wants to just up and walk out of your life, don't sweat it. People come and people go, if that particular person didn't see what a jewel you are and would willingly crop themselves from your book of life, then so be it. Yes, it's hard, but sometimes there's nothing you can do about it. Sometimes it's random and you don't know why they left and you'll wonder from time to time what you did to cause them to go away, but don't worry your pretty little head, it most likely wasn't something you did. It's just a sucky part of life that I wish no one had to go through because it hurts when people who you never expect to leave you just up and go.

10. Grades don't make you

I was that kid who cried when she made a 92 and not an 'A,' not because my parents were all about grades (they weren't), but simply because I set a goal for myself and if I didn't make the grade I wanted, there'd be a meltdown. That was probably one of the biggest things I had to learn to accept in college: A's are great, but B's are good and even C's, too. Perfect grades are wonderful, but they aren't the only thing that graduate schools take into consideration. So you bombed that chemistry just use that as motivation to do better next time. It's not the end of the world, I've learned that the hard way.

11. Humans can be monsters, too

Growing up (and still today) I have a lot of phobias including being afraid of the dark. It never was about the dark itself, but what could potentially be in the dark. My closet door always had to shut and my bedroom door had to be open while growing up because ya didn't want the monster in the closet to escape. Now, I've realized that some of the worst "monsters" are in human form; they'll even pose as friends and even family.