1. Friends are the family you get to choose yourself, so treat them correctly.Some people say blood is thicker than water, but there is something to be said about those friends who become your family. You need those friends because they are the people who are going to be there for you through breakups, job loss, or when you just need a fun night out. You will always have your friends to fall back on, in good times and in bad. Just make sure that you are also there for them and that you let them know how much you care about them, no matter how busy you are.
2. Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.My dad says it, How I Met Your Mother has a whole episode dedicated to it, and most of us have probably experienced this truth firsthand. If it is after 2 a.m., especially on the weekend, just go to bed. You can do whatever you want to do at a different time or call whomever you want to call in the morning. Just go home. You won’t regret going to bed in the morning, but you probably will regret staying out.
3. Take sick days and use up your class absences.I’m not promoting skipping class or work, but sometimes you just need a mental health day. Everyone needs to unwind every once in a while, so stay in bed and watch Netflix on a rainy day, go shopping by yourself, or relax on the beach. One day off won’t make or break you and you may even be more focused when you go back to class or work the next day.
4. VOTE!The future of our country lies in our hands. Educate yourself on the candidates and what policies they support. Vote for the people you would be proud to call our leaders or who you believe properly represent your beliefs. If you don’t vote, democracy doesn’t work.
5. Stand up for yourself.If you don’t speak up for yourself, who will? Discuss unfair grades with your professors, tell possible employers why you are so great, and if the barista gives you a caramel latte instead of a vanilla one, tell them! Standing up for yourself is the key to succeeding and getting what you want out of life.
6. Accept when you are wrong and learn from your mistakes.As important as it is to stand up for yourself, it is also super important to understand that you cannot be right all the time. You are going to mess up and make mistakes; it’s never the end of the world. Accept that you messed up, ask for help, learn from your mistake, and don’t make the same mistake twice. This is how you learn and grow into an even better person than you already are.
7. Work out and stay healthy.Be in shape while you can. Going for a walk, playing a sport, or taking a dance class (Zumba anyone?) is the perfect way to stay in shape. 30 minutes a day is all it takes to stay in shape. You’ll thank yourself later in life for taking care of your health while you were young.
8. Don’t sleep with makeup on and moisturize!You will also thank yourself later in life for having good facial hygiene. Sleeping with makeup on can cause clogged pours, acne, and premature aging (wrinkles!!). Moisturizing your face regularly can prevent redness, flaking, and prevent said premature aging. Just keep makeup wipes and face cream near your bed so you can easily freshen up before you go to sleep, and you will wake up feeling great and looking great for years to come.
9. Take a compliment.If someone compliments your work, appearance, or anything else, accept their praise! You are intelligent, beautiful, kind, and deserve to be recognized for these attributes. Never put yourself down because your accomplishments and appearance make you who you are and there is nothing more beautiful than a strong, confidant woman.
10. You’re a grown-up!Sorry if that shocked anyone suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome, but it’s true. Being an adult comes with a ton of responsibilities, but it also comes with a new level of respect. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t understand something because of your age or that your ideas are not valuable. Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook while he was in college, Richard Branson launched Virgin Records label in his 20’s, and J.K. Rowling already came up with the idea of Harry Potter at age 25. Your voice should not be something held against you, it should be an advantage. You are full of innovative ideas and skills that the generation before us did not have, so use them! Take risks and create the life you always dreamed of because you can. You’re an adult, you’re great, and you are the future.
P.S. Hallmark cards from Aunt Bertha and monetary donations are, of course, still welcome.