1. Things that are worthwhile will not come easily.
It is the best feeling to finally accomplish something that you have been working hard toward. If everything in life was super easy to get, none of us would have dreams of what we want to be one day, we would just have it handed to us.
2. Cherish your time with your family.
Since I went away to college, I don't see my family very often anymore. While I don't regret my decision to leave home to go to college, I do miss my family every single day. When I finally do come home, I want to spend as much time as possible with my family.
3. Not everything in life is a competition.
Just because someone else has something new and exciting in their life doesn't mean that you need to try and outshine them.
4. Best friends are everything.
I have been fortunate enough to have more than one best friend. Even though none of them are close to me, it doesn't matter. I love them unconditionally and we still talk all the time (and have many inside jokes). I know that they will be there for me no matter what I need.
5. Really good roommates can make your college experience.
My roommate this year is amazing. We get along perfectly - we are so similar. She is not just my roommate though - she is also going to be my sister. Her and I are part of the same sorority and I could not be happier. She also pushes me to do things that are outside my comfort zone and I am so grateful to her for that.
6. It's okay to not know exactly what you want to do with your life.
Many people change their minds about what they want to major in in college and that is perfectly normal. Even once you get your degree, there are people that do not go into the field that they went to school for.
7. Don't pick your career based on the amount of money that you will earn.
While in the long run having the extra money will be nice, imagine what you would be putting yourself through when you are going through college and are not passionate about your major. Doing something that you love but does not make a lot of money will be a lot more fulfilling than doing something that makes a lot of money but you hate doing.
8. Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things.
I am still working on this one, but I know it is true. If I didn't go for some of the things that I was scared to try, I wouldn't have some of the best things in my life.
9. Love yourself for who you are.
Don't try to change for other people. Trust that you are amazing exactly how you are and don't let anyone tell you differently. The little quirks and interests that you have make you unique from everyone else.
10. Don't make the main focus of your life finding a relationship.
This is especially important when you are just starting college or are about to start college. Dating someone is great, but I have seen so many people make decisions on colleges based on where their significant other was going to school. What if you and your significant other break up? Then you would have made a life altering decision based on a relationship that did not end up lasting.
11. Stand up for yourself.
Don't let people treat you badly. You deserve to be respected and people who are in your life that don't respect you don't need to be in your life.
12. Don't let people's opinions dictate what you do.
For the longest time I found myself asking others what they thought of my decision that I was making. However, I recently realized while yes they may have an opinion about my life, in the end I need to make decisions for me, nobody else.
13. Getting good grades in college is a lot harder than getting good grades in high school.
You don't just get good grades in college. You have to really work for them. Classes are shorter, so you have to pay attention to what your professor is saying even more than you had to in college. Most of the work that you do for your classes will be outside of the classroom, so self-discipline is an essential too.
14. No matter how good at time management you are in college, sometimes you will still struggle to get things done in a timely manner.
College has a lot of things going on that you want to be a part of. While it is great to be involved on your campus and in the community around you, sometimes you have to think about how much you can actually handle while still maintaining your grades - the reason we are here in the first place.
15. You can never have too many friends.
Friends are amazing to have when you are going through something that you may not want to talk to your family about right away. I have gotten through some personal things through the help of my friends and I do not know where I would be without them.
16. Your high school friends will still be in your life after you graduate high school.
The group of friends that I had in high school are still my friends now and I love each and every one of them. We truly have become a little family and I don't think that we will ever lose contact. Yes, we don't see each other or talk to each other every day, but we know that we are here for each other.
17. Money goes really quickly in college.
College is expensive. Food is expensive. Life is expensive.
18. It's okay to love and miss your job - I know I do.
In a lot of ways I grew up at my work. I started there when I was 16 years old and I am still working there now when I come back from school. I love the people that I work with and my managers are amazing and are fun to mess with.
19. Drama doesn't matter.
Unnecessary drama does not need to be in your life. The people that bring that drama you may want to really reconsider if they are worth having in your life or not.
20. As much as you want to, don't procrastinate on doing your homework.
There have been so many nights that I have had to pull all-nighters because I procrastinated on an assignment. While it is true that I do my best work at night, it is harder for me to concentrate in class the next day.
There are many other things that I have learned with my almost two decades on this earth, but these are the most important ones.
