I may be young, but I have learned a thing or two over the years. Here’s 20 wise words of advice for the fellow 20-year-old.
- Live in the moment
With social media so prevalent, it is easy to get caught up in what others are doing and what you are not. Focus on the experiences you are having. If they are not good enough, make that change. Everyday matters whether or not you did something insta-worthy.
2. A perfect hard-boiled egg takes longer than one thinks
I finally made a hard-boiled egg (correctly) as a nineteen-year-old. Some things take more practice than others, I guess. The trick is to put the eggs in, boil the water, and then bring it to a simmer for 15 minutes. You all are welcome.
3. It is okay to move on
I have always had a difficult time letting go, but sometimes it is necessary in order to grow. Whether it is ending a toxic friendship or finally quitting that activity that never really interested you, admitting that something needs to change is important.
4. Take every opportunity you get
It may be a once in a lifetime job offer or just a friend offering to lend a hand. You never know when the opportunity could come again and you could gain some valuable experience.
5. Build friendships on meaningful qualities
College allows you to meet so many more people than just those that went to your high school. Coming from a public high school, I was excited to be around people who actually wanted to be at my school, and not just those who went there because they had to. Because of this, I could make friends based on more than where I lived. Their different life experiences could add so much to my own life. These friendships were built on similar passions and opinions, not just where our parents decided to settle.
6. Live with intention
This one took me awhile to learn. Every decision you make impacts your future. That to me is a terrifying thought– but once I accepted it, I made much better decisions for myself. Another piece of this is act with intention. Intentions DO matter, and this affects how you live your day-to-day life.
7. Do not be afraid to voice your opinion
I hate stirring the pot, but when something needs to be said, say it. Keeping all your feelings bottled up only hurts yourself. You feel better when you get things out in the open, however scary it may be.
8. Wash your sheets as much as possible
Seriously. It’s a game changer. My mom washed my sheets on a schedule at home, but once I was at school I had to figure out the right times to wash my sheets. Doing laundry is not my favorite activity, but putting those fresh sheets on my bed always makes the effort worth it.
9. Ask for help
I’ll be the first to admit that asking for help is not on top of my list of favorite activities. However, over the years I have learned that asking for help, from friends, family, teachers, your boss, etc., is not going to ruin you. No one will get mad at you for being confused on an issue, or having a problem that takes multiple people to deal with. In addition, asking for help means something will get done right the first time, and you will not have to do it over.
10. Spend as much time outside as possible
I was never much of an outdoors person when I was little. I preferred sitting in side with a good book over playing outside in various weather conditions. As I’ve gotten older and the chances to be outside have slowly diminished, I have learned to value what time I do get to spend outdoors. Now I try to go outside for at least an hour a day. Vitamin D is necessary for your wellbeing.
11. How to make a good resume
Many jobs and internships these days require a resume. Having one on hand is always a good idea, even if you are not applying for anything at the moment. You never know when you could end up meeting someone that might want to see a copy.
12. How to be comfortable with being alone
I am an introvert, so I like being alone, but I always felt guilty about it. It is hard to not feel left out when everyone around you is constantly with other people while you chose to be alone. Even extroverts need their alone time, and it is important to remember that having a night in by yourself does not make you anti-social.
13. Expose yourself to different opinions
It is easy to find those that you feel comfortable around, and not change your lifestyle, but it is so important to push yourself. I grew up in an area that really lacked diversity. Coming to college opened my eyes to problems that I did not know existed and opinions that I thought I would never hear. Keep an open mind about things, but also do not be influenced by just one person. Always do your own research on the topics you feel passionate about.
14. People cannot read your mind
If you want something to happen, you need to make it happen. Expecting others to instantly understand what you want without you vocalizing it is kind of ridiculous. In relation to that, if someone does not react to something the way you wanted them to, maybe revaluate your action and see if it could have been more clear.
15. Do not read into things as much as you want to
People are complex, but not every decision they make has you in mind. Just because the boy from down the hall didn’t text you today but he did yesterday and the day before does not mean he suddenly hates you. Everyone has their reasons for doing things, so do not jump to conclusions about what those reasons are.
16. Only do things that you want to
Other than work and school, life is too short to participate in activities that hold no value to you. Do what you want, and leave everything else to those who actually want to do it.
17. Write everything down
I love to keep a journal for memories, and a planner for my schedule. Writing things down not only helps you remember them, but gives you a log of what you did. It is really cool to look back on old journals and planners to see what I was up to years ago.
18. Be nice to everyone
I cannot stress this enough. There is no need to be rude if you do not like a person. You never know who could be watching.
19. Start saving as soon as possible
Who doesn’t love extra money in the bank? Set saving goals to make sure that you always have enough money should anything happen. It is never too early to start saving. And while having a dollar amount below ten in your bank account may make you go Twitter famous, it is not really going to help you in the long run.
20. It is okay to take risks
I am not much of a risk taker, but calculated risks tend to pay off. Go for that job you do not think you are qualified for. Go ask that guy out. Strike up a conversation with someone new. You never know where it could take you.