1. For whatever reason, some things just aren’t meant to be.
Whether it’s a boy who rejected you or not being accepted into your dream school, everything happens for a reason. No matter how badly we may want something, life will disappoint us. So if you shoot your shot only to be declined or you had to “settle” for your second, or even third, choice school, say “thank u, next” and look for the lessons embedded in these occurrences.
2. No matter how stupid it may seem, if it hurts you, it hurts you.
This is something that my best friend told me when I cried to her over a boy, and I’ve thrown the advice back at her when she found herself in a similar situation. We’ve all experienced a time when we were really sad or upset and thought to ourselves “why do I feel like this? This is so stupid.” I tend to do this a lot, but no matter what, your feelings are valid. The longer you deny your emotions, the more difficult it will be to recover.
3. Slow down. Take a breath. You will do it.
I tell myself this a lot, especially when it comes to schoolwork. I tend to panic at the thought of not having enough time to complete a task. No matter how much you may procrastinate on an assignment or on studying, you’re going to complete whatever you need to do eventually. Don’t panic because you will accomplish whatever you need to.
4. You have to become comfortable with the uncomfortable.
I learned this especially being 2,500 miles away from home in a new environment. The only way that you will grow is by putting yourself in situations that challenge you, whether it’s talking to that cute guy, or girl, that you see at a party, or joining that club that you always wanted to, push yourself out of your comfort zone. If we continue to do what makes us comfortable, we become complacent with life. Become comfortable with the uncomfortable feeling that comes along with trying something new.
5. Sometimes all it takes is a cute outfit, some concealer, and some really good music to let go of what happened.
When I’m not feeling my best, whether it’s going to class after staying up late or going out to a party after a rough week, sometimes all it takes to get back into your groove is your favorite outfit and some glittery eyeshadow. Let yourself loose, and have fun! Little moments like these remind you that throughout the chaos that is life, everything will be okay.
6. People enter our lives for all sorts of reasons, even if the reason is unclear.
Everyone who comes into our lives teaches us something, whether it’s evident or not. When we interact with others, it makes us evaluate ourselves – our morals, character, and beliefs come into question. Even if that person is your ex or best friend turned frenemy, consider how their presence in your life has changed you for better or worse.
7. Things don’t just happen; You need to put in some effort too.
I used to think that the universe has a plan for us. We can kick back and relax and whatever happens, happens. While I still believe that whole “the universe will guide you” idea to a certain extent, I have also learned that things don’t manifest themselves. You need to put in some effort on your own in order to be successful. This world will only give you as much as you put into it.
8. There is more to this world than you think.
This one didn’t hit me until very recently. Growing up on a small island, I only knew so much. I knew one way of life and one set of values and ideas that every Hawai’i kid is generally raised by. Coming to college on the Mainland has opened my eyes to multiple ways of life and backgrounds. I still have a lot to learn about this world, but moving 2,500 miles away from my beautiful island home has made me realize just how much more there is to our Earth than I thought.
9. Life should be fun. Relax a little.
Life is taken too seriously by a lot of people, especially by college students where there is so much pressure put on us to be successful. We tend to forget that life shouldn’t always be so structured or rigid. Sometimes, it’s ok to put off that homework for an hour or two to go spend time with friends because when we move on with life, we’re not going to look back and wish that we spent more time writing that essay. We’re going to remember people and moments.