Between last fall and now, there are a lot of lessons I've learned about myself and others. Some came out of good situations, others bad, but every lesson I learned was definitely for a reason.

1. Things aren’t always what they seem to be.

Sometimes, things don’t always end up being how they appear. Earlier in the year, I was in a pickle. I thought my living situation last semester was going to work out well, but that wasn’t the case. This semester, things are a lot better and I couldn’t be luckier.

2. If Plan A doesn’t work out, try Plan B.

If your original plan falls through, seek Plan B. An alternative option is always better than no other option at all.

3. You won’t always get your way.

You’re not always going to get your way, and if you’re stubborn like me, it’ll be a problem. But, realize that you can't always have your cake and eat it too. It’s okay to let things slide when necessary!

4. Ease up on the carbs!

Kinda self-explanatory…carbs taste great now, but don’t feel great later.

5. Sometimes you need to break out of your comfort zone.

I hate doing things that I’m uncomfortable with, I’m sure anyone else is. But when it comes to matters such as trying new things or meeting new people, sometimes you need to embrace change and take a risk. The worst thing that could happen is that you don’t enjoy your experience. If that’s the case, take a break and try again a different time.

6. It's okay not to be okay sometimes.

This is the most important lesson! Sometimes, you will miss deadlines, class, and assignments. It happens. Give yourself some time to decompress, realize what mistakes you made, and learn from them. Get back up and try again.

7. Always trust your gut instinct.

This is the most classic lesson on this list. Not everyone believes in intuition or gut instinct, and that’s fine. But, if you’re one of those people who believe in trusting your gut — always do it. If you get a lurching feeling about a situation where you just know it’s not a good idea, maybe it isn’t. I’ve followed my hunches whenever I felt them, and I’ve avoided plenty of headaches. Trust yourself.