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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Furman chapter.
  1. MAKE IT A GOOD DAY
    • My dad always told me this when I was leaving to go to school. It’s important to understand that you always have some level of control over how the day turns out. No matter what. 
  2. TELL PEOPLE YOU LOVE THEM
    • There is no use in hiding how much you love people, so just swallow your pride and say it. One day you might regret not doing it. 
  3. EAT WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU WANT
    • Diet culture is toxic and confusing. Food is good, and it’s what fuels you. Eat what makes you feel good! Carbohydrates, dairy, proteins, fruits, and vegetables keep you going daily, so figure out a combination that fuels you and run with it.  
  4. DOCUMENT YOUR LIFE! THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY AND SAD.
    • Some do this by journaling, but I do it through a personal Instagram page. Take a picture or video every day. It could be of yourself, some friends, food, a pet, or just a picture of a cloud. Whatever defines your day, document it!
  5. LIFE IS SHORT, SO LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST
    • Do the things you want to do. Nobody’s passions are the same, so live yours to the fullest. Knit! Rock climb! Bake a cake! If something inspires you, take advantage of that drive. 
  6. GRIEF LOOKS DIFFERENT ON EVERYONE
    • So dont judge it. Life is rough, and coping mechanisms are a healthy thing (most of the time). There comes a time and place for confrontation if need be.
  7. EXERCISE!!! 
    • There is nothing better than knowing your body can support you. A lot of people advise running, but I like lifting weights. Additionally, the endorphins from working out are better than any other kind of coping mechanism. 
  8. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW UNLESS YOU TRY
    • Michael Scott (Actually, Jose Cuervo!) once said, “You miss 100 of the shots you don’t take.” He was right. Apply for that job. Ask your friend (or real) crush on a date. You won’t know what the outcome will be unless you try. a lot of the time, it never ends up as badly as you think it will. 
  9. LIVE EVERYDAY LIKE FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF
    • If you haven’t seen that movie, please watch it. Ferris states at the end of the film that “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you will miss it.” Whether that means going out with your friends instead of doing homework, even if it stresses you out, do the things that will create memories because that is what you will remember in the long run. 
  10. IT’S OKAY TO LET GO OF RELATIONSHIPS
    • There are some people I thought would always be in my life, but they aren’t anymore. The way they affected my life was so positive, but it’s important not to cling to only the good parts. Sometimes the absence of a person in your life is much more beneficial than their presence!!
  11. TRUST YOUR INTUITION, AND DON’T LET ANYONE TRY TO SHAKE IT. 
    • Even though you might not think so, you are the only person who knows yourself best. If your gut is telling you something, listen and act on it immediately.
  12. LISTEN TO YOUR FAMILY
    • Whether it’s your biological or chosen family, they are other ones who know you best and can vouch for your best interest when your judgment is clouded by bias. 
  13. INVEST IN YOUR BODY
    • Learn what products you like and don’t like. Life feels more put together when you know how to treat your hair and skin. 
  14. SEEK JOY, NOT HAPPINESS
    • Happiness is fleeting. Joy endures the hardship and trials that life throws at us and connects us with the meaning and purpose that matters.
  15. MAKE YOUR FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF FUN
    • Introductions are always boring, so spice it up and give people something to remember you by. No one wants to hear that your favorite color is green. Tell us that your favorite color is green because it reminds you of the tree in your front yard. Or you once drove across the country because you wanted to see your favorite sports team in a big game. Make your first impressions interesting. 
  16. A BAD DAY ONLY LASTS 24 HOURS
    • My roommate’s mom said this one time and it has stuck with me. There’s always one thing that will break up a bad period, so appreciate it when you get it.
  17. START A BUCKET LIST WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG
    • Even if you check something off once a year, you have something to look forward to the next! 
  18. LEARN HOW TO BE HAPPY BEING ALONE
    • As cynical as it sounds, sometimes you’re the only one you can depend on. Being happy while being alone. You have to learn how to not spiral when you’re by yourself. 
  19. LEARN HOW TO BE EMPATHETIC
    • Just because someone is different from you does not make them wrong.
  20. YOU ARE YOUR BIGGEST ADVOCATE!!
    • Speaking up is intimidating, but never back down from a fight you know is worth it. I have found that this advice works best in interviews and doctor’s offices. 
  21. I STILL HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN
    • I am cynical some days and optimistic the next, but everything on this list is consistent with the successes I have had so far. Even though I am an adult now, I feel like I have just got started in life! And although that simultaneously terrifies and thrills me, I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Mamie is a junior Political Science and Religion double major at Furman. Outside of HerCampus, she is also a member of the Chi Omega sorority, Army ROTC, and writes for the Paladin Newspaper. Following college, she will commission as an Officer in the US Army. Her interests are hiking, cooking, writing, working out, social justice, and spending quality time with her people.