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So my birthday is today, and even though I joke that I feel like I’m 15, I’m actually turning 24, which is really crazy to believe because I feel like I’m growing up so fast. I hear that the older you get, the faster time goes, which I’m starting to believe as true because it seemed like I was just in high school trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.

Looking back on these past 24 years, I would say that I’m pretty satisfied with the way things are going. Though I must admit that I do not feel completely independent (I can still rely on my parents should I ever be in need of food, money, or a place to crash for the night), I am starting to sort of feel like a “real person,” juggling school, work, social media, and networking opportunities all while trying to maintain a social life and a stable long distance relationship with my boyfriend of almost four years. I have been quite successful with all of these endeavors and I can’t say that I have much to complain about.

Now that I am turning 24, I must say that I have definitely learned a lot, and am looking forward to learning even more – about myself, about my future career, and about my various relationships. Here is a list of what I have learned so far in my life that I would like to share, in three different aspects – academically, professionally, and personally. My hope is that students younger than me can take my lessons learned and apply them in their lives, and that older folks can think back and relate if they learned these things too. So here we go:

24 Things I Learned Before I Turned 24

Academically

1. Seize opportunities to have mentors. They will be a constant resource and your number one advocate. Never take them for granted.
2. Something pragmatic: I always find it easier to write papers after I have written a fairly detailed outline about what I’m going to write. It helps organize my thoughts and makes the writing process go a little faster.
3. Take courses that will help sharpen your skills for the workforce. Sure, “The History of Food” sounds like a lot of fun, but will it really help you when you are on the job market?
4. Work hard to make yourself known in your department. Say hi to all the faculty, students, and staff. School is a lot more fun when you feel like you are a part of the community.
5. Never be afraid to ask questions in class. It won’t make you look dumb, but actually shows that you are committed to fully understanding the material.
6. Become friendly with the brightest students in each class/your department. Not only will they be great study buddies, but you might end up becoming best friends after four years (it happened with me!).
7. Get involved with various extracurricular activities and run for leadership positions. For example, I was president of Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Studies Honor Society, as well as Vice President of Alpha Psi Omega, the Theatre Honor Society my senior year, allowing me to be involved with activities important to me academically and personally.
8. GET INTERNSHIPS. Start searching for opportunities your freshman year.  Internships help you decide what path you might be interested in pursuing once you graduate. They also show employers that you have some job experience, which can help you stand out amongst the rest.

Professionally

1. Nothing helps you more than a kick-ass cover letter, a tight resume, and a firm handshake after an interview. And don’t forget to send a thank you card!
2. ALWAYS do your homework. Not just for upcoming interviews on a company, but also keep a pulse on your industry. You never know when what seems like a networking event turns into a formal interview where you have to show your chops.
3. Never settle for simply mediocre on the job; always strive to go above and beyond your supervisor’s expectations. The more you prove your value, the more you will be trusted with more responsibilities.
4. The best jobs come from word of mouth, which is why it is SO important to establish connections. You never know if a colleague knows someone that can lead to your dream job.
5. Utilize your time wisely. Be committed to strict deadlines. I’ve impressed my supervisors by delivering quality work sometimes before it is due.
6. No matter how nervous you feel at a networking event, always make a point to introduce yourself to as many people as possible. You never know when a simple “hello” can turn into a good opportunity.
7. Never underestimate the power of social media. I have made so many contacts through SM channels, and probably would not have had as many opportunities if it weren’t for these connections.

Personally

1. Life is all about achieving balance. Working hard is always admirable, but sometimes you just need to relax, unwind, and spend some time with the people you love. (A lesson that is a continual struggle for me personally!)
2. Always remain positive. There is a silver lining on every dark cloud. Before dwelling on what is going wrong, rejoice in everything that has gone right. Nine times out of ten it’s really not as bad as it seems.
3. Be compassionate. Put yourself in other people’s shoes when you are frustrated or angry. Once you see their side of things, your frustration will most likely disappear.
4. Everyone comes into our lives for a reason. Whether they stay or go depends on the circumstances. But no matter the case, each person we come in contact with has influenced us more than we will ever know.
5. Be passionate about everything you do. If something doesn’t make me happy then I need to question if it’s really worth doing.
6. Have a clear idea of your goals. Keep a list of everything you need to accomplish. If you know what you are striving for then you can attain them more easily. I am a definite fan of to-do lists and New Years resolutions!
7. Bad things happen and obstacles can come our way but instead of running from them or regretting them we need to accept our mistakes and failures and learn from them. Things always happen for a reason.
8. Learn how to say no (another constant struggle for me!). We are only human and cannot possibly do everything. Only follow through with things that you feel in your heart is right.
9. Finally, live life to the fullest. There are too many good things in life that we simply take for granted. Live. Love. Laugh. And do every