40 Things I Learned Before I Turned 19 | The Odyssey Online
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Student Life

40 Things I Learned Before I Turned 19

A collection of things I learned growing up.

Jeannie McDonald
Dec 12, 2016
Pace University
77
40 Things I Learned Before I Turned 19
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  1. Feel all of your emotions.
  2. Tell your mom you love her. Tell her again.
  3. Realize you can’t get someone help if they don’t want it.
  4. Talk about it. Cry about it. Scream about it. Get it out, you’ll feel better.
  5. Don’t be afraid to say how you feel.
  6. Keep in touch with your childhood friends.
  7. Sometimes you’ll feel like your chest is collapsing. It will pass.
  8. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation.
  9. Sometimes confrontation is necessary.
  10. No one is perfect. But you don’t need to keep consistently shitty friends around.
  11. You’ll survive, even when you're running on 2 hours of sleep.
  12. Sadness is not romantic, but it is inevitable.
  13. It’s okay to miss him.
  14. Stop comparing yourself to others.
  15. Writing things down will almost always make you feel better.
  16. Take as many pictures of the sky as you can.
  17. Do not pay attention to people trying to bring you down.
  18. Tattoos are a lot of fun.
  19. Keep trying. You can only get better.
  20. Stop settling.
  21. The universe has a way of working out.
  22. Don’t try to fit in. Don't try to be different. Just be you.
  23. Guilt is a sign of having a heart.
  24. You can offer your opinions without everyone having to agree with you.
  25. It isn’t hard to be nice. We need more kindness.
  26. Try to leave 5-10 minutes earlier every day.
  27. If people want to talk shit about you, let them. At the end of the day, you and your closest friends know the real you.
  28. You are not obligated to forgive them.
  29. Make friends with people who have different interests. They will be fun to hang out with.
  30. Don’t let anyone make you feel less important.
  31. The “perfect group of friends” does not exist, no matter what it seems like.
  32. You're allowed to stand up to teachers.
  33. Sometimes, just listening is enough.
  34. Never leave your drink out at a party.
  35. Communication is key.
  36. Drink more water.
  37. Some days you’ll need to drive alone at night with the windows down and music blasting.
  38. Visit your grandparents as much as you can.
  39. There are some friends you will not talk to for months. And then you will reconnect and it will feel like nothing has changed. This is growing up.
  40. Everything is temporary.
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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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