Okay. So I'm a graduate now. That's right. Full blown, out of school forever, looking for better employment (and higher pay), never buying a textbook (for myself, at least) again, a graduate. I feel like it happened not a bit earlier than it should have. My family and those nearest and dearest to me have always given me a hard time about the fact that it took me more than 4 years to graduate. Okay, so 5.5 years isn't a stretch for most college-age kids. Right? I feel like there is a lot I've learned this year. Not just in school, but in life.

• I've learned that you choose who you are in love with. Gone are the days when you 'fell' in love. I'm not saying I want all romance thrown out the window, but I do believe that we choose our partners. We wake up every morning choosing to love them all over again for another day. That's important. If you haven't learned it already, you should.
• People can be extremely close to you, and you can still miss some of their behavior. I'm talking, people can conduct themselves in a way that doesn't exactly groove with the way you would conduct yourself. People will constantly surpise you. I've been surprised by people whom I considered my nearest and dearest multiple times over this year. Some have turned out to be better friends than I could have ever imagined, and some have turned out to be manipulative, complaining, controlling, vindictive, and more rough than what I want to surround myself with. I would encourage everyone to examine the people that they surround themselves with. It could really be a game changer for you :)
• Money seriously doesn't grow on trees. Adults don't just tell you that as an excuse to keep from giving you money. It's been a year in a half since I bought my car ('10 Honda Civic), and I have learned that budgeting is one of the most important lessons you can learn. Going without something now won't seem like a big deal in the future. Trust me.
• You should eat like you might not live another day. Why worry about weight? The people that love you are going to love you no matter what your body looks like. I'm not saying you should be completely unhealthy (hello! I've started logging on this blog exactly what I eat and when to try to create a better, healthier, ME), but you should stress and freak out over a number.
• Your relationship with Christ is going to mean more than any other relationship you'll ever have. Treat it that way.