Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Poetry On The Odyssey: 17 Things I Learned by 17

Tiny things I've realized I learned that I wish I could have seen.

Aleacia Bahler

Sep 03, 2019

Missouri State University

Poetry On The Odyssey: 17 Things I Learned by 17

https://unsplash.com/photos/z1d-LP8sjuI

1. People will promise not to leave you. They will. It's okay to be sad when they do.

2. It's always okay to cry. Find a bathroom, bury your head in your pillow, and let it out. Cry in the shower. Cry in your car. Cry when you need to.

3. People will flirt with you, then ignore you. Then they will flirt with you some more. It will be confusing, and you will have every right to stop putting up with it.

4. Pay attention to what people say when they're angry. When you make up, they will tell you they didn't mean it. Know that they did -- but know that they wish they didn't. Forgive them.

5. Never pretend to be someone your not. If you don't like classic novels, don't act like you do. If you don't want to wear leather jackets and combat boots, don't wear them. You will lose yourself trying to be someone else, and it will be difficult to come back.

6. People will be mean to you. They will call you names, spread lies, and talk about you behind your back. Eventually, you will realize it's petty and stupid. You will be right to move on.

7. Your friends will not always be there for you. When you really need to talk, they will sometimes not want to hear it. That's okay. Take a deep breath. Remember all the times you felt the same way.

8. You will wait and wait for your first kiss, your first date, and your first relationship. The anticipation will kill you. You will keep trying to find the right person in everyone you meet. Relax. The best things happen unplanned.

9. Enjoy being young. As you get older, things become more and more scheduled out. Love that you aren't there yet. Enjoy being spontaneous while you can.

10. Tell people how you feel. It will be terrifying in some cases and liberating in others. It will create relationships and ruin them. Speak your mind always.

11. Sleep.

12. Talk to people. Learn things from them. Always carry $5 and a lighter. Be prepared for the opportunity to get inspired.

13. Always bring a sweater -- even if you think it won't be cold.

14. Try new things. You never know what you might end up loving.

15. Take care of yourself. Wash your hair. Make smoothies. Eat vegetables. Drink water. Go for walks in pretty parks. Take care of your body and your soul, even if they refuse to take care of you back. Remember that your body is just the seatbelt in your car, but it's important that all the parts are working.

16. Stare at yourself daily. Take selfies. Take inventory, and each time compliment something. Maybe today you love your hair, but don't like the curve of your lips. But tomorrow -- tomorrow you might think you have a cute smile even though your hair is a mess. Find something to love about yourself.

17. There will always be someone prettier, funnier, smarter, more athletic, or more popular than you. The beauty of it is that it isn't a competition.

From Your Site Articles

7 Experiences All Girls With Resting Bitch Face Have Had

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

University of South Florida

1919

Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less

rbf

Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

Dean College

854

Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less

bobs burgers

Adulting

Adulting 101: In Sickness And In Self

Everybody hurts sometimes.

Georgia State University

685

you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text

Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less

adulting

Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

1365

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

1803

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

senior year

Recommended for you

Poetry On The Odyssey: 17 Things I Learned by 17

Tiny things I've realized I learned that I wish I could have seen.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1. You feel like an elder.

2. You may feel lonely.

3. Senioritis is more real than ever.

4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.

6. You are a college pro.

7. You'll have more free time.

8. You're happy you're still in school.

9. You feel like a guru.

10. You continue to grow.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter