College students are always taught about different expectations — what to do and what not to do while in college. Everyone says that now is the time to make mistakes, fall in and out of love, figure out your life, etc. We’ve all heard it. But what is it all worth?

Self-esteem is something that we hear about all the time, but what about self-worth?

Worth is defined as “the value equivalent to that of someone or something under consideration; the level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated.”

Self-worth is “the sense of one's own value or worthas a person.”

There is the difference of a four lettered word, but it doesn’t really change the definition.

When you go to buy a piece of clothing, furniture or something expensive, you think to yourself, “Is it worth my money?” Well, is it? If you’re going to cherish or use something for a long time, then it is considered worth it. If it is required to sustain your life, like the junk food from the convenience store, then it’s worth it. If you are running low on your balance, but it’s 2 a.m. and you have a paper due at 8 a.m., then using the rest of it on a cup of coffee is considered worth it. Staying up and getting an A on that paper is worth it. If all of these material things are worth it, then why are we so frivolous about emotional worth?

When you look at self-worth, why is there a difference from monetary worth? Why don’t we look at our life choices with the same attitude we do when buying that piece of furniture, clothing or food?

Because we’re told not to.

The world doesn’t teach college students to realize that the decisions that they make now affect them forever.

Was it really worth posting those party pictures for the likes? Because now you won’t get hired by your dream job.

Was that one night stand worth it? Because now you have to tell your future husband/wife about him/her.

Was it worth losing the friends that were always beside you for friends that wanted to party? Because now you’re standing alone.

Not only do you have to look at worth, but the definition mentions value. When you look at monetary items, you look for the value. You’re going to want to buy the most expensive one because it’s going to last longer, or look better. The same goes for the value of your own life and behavior. You are so much more valuable than you let yourself see.

Your life is valuable. Your love is valuable. Your heart is valuable.

We need to start looking at life in terms of worth and value. We need to realize that, yes, we are young and in college, and yeah, we’re going to make mistakes -- but don’t make them intentional mistakes. Know what you are worth as a person. Think about your emotional purchases just like you think through those monetary purchases. Know your value. We only have one life, and we don’t want to waste so much of ourselves now, just because society is telling us to.