1. Change is a good thing. Whether it's your taste in clothes, the movies you watch, the hobbies you pick up, the different foods you try… change things up.
2. Remember who you are. Change is an amazing thing, but always remember what makes you you. Remember your morals. Remember your values. Remember your beliefs. Remember what your family taught you.
3. Figure out why you believe what you believe. This faith is no longer your parents, & they no longer force you to go to church. Your faith is your own, you will have to defend it, share it, & live with it for the rest of your life. So study apologetics, review the different creation theories, ask yourself tough questions, & research every bit you can. No one is going to do it for you anymore, so figure it out.
4. Respect yourself. Yes, I am talking about in relationships. Know your standards & don't settle for anything less.
5. Get involved & invest yourself. The worse thing you can do is sit in your dorm & feel sorry for yourself. My advice is to get out there. Go to sporting events with people from your class. Join a club that you're interested in. Attend the local church's college age ministry to meet like-minded individuals. Invite friends over to your house. Go out to coffee with someone new to get to know their story. Whatever the case may be, invest in the people around you.
6. Don't forget about your family. Your parents have spent the past 18 years of your life raising, teaching, praying for, & preparing you for this next chapter in life. It's okay to text them once everyday to let them know you're not stuck in a ditch somewhere. It's okay to call your dad if you're confused about finances. It's okay to cry to your mom about how hard life is. It's okay to call up your sibling to let them know that you miss them. Let your family know that you not only need to talk to them sometimes, but you actually want to talk to them.  ​

1. You know that one person you cannot stand? PRAY FOR THEM.
I can only give this advice because it's worked in my own life. When my heart has been hardened towards others by hurtful words & certain situations, I start to pray for the people that have hurt me. When I pray, I ask God to give me His eyes & to show me how He sees them. I believe the Lord is faithful & will always help you be more life Him.
2. STOP GOSSIPING
This one is a lot easier said than done. But I believe that this can make all the difference, especially in today's society. It's easy to talk about someone or to fire back gossip once it starts, but to show God's love means to turn the other cheek. To show God's love means to examine your words before they leave your lips. To show God's love is to talk about someone as if God, their own mother, and they were sitting right next to you. If it doesn't edify or encourage- think about why you're saying it.
3. SEND A TEXT
Whether it's a sincere compliment, or an encouraging bible verse... a simple text can make someone's day.
4. GIVE A SOCIAL MEDIA SHOUTOUT
I don't care how old or young you are... there's something so nice about someone posting something kind about you for the world to see!

5. ASK OTHERS HOW YOU CAN    PRAY FOR THEM
6. ACTUALLY PRAY FOR THEM &   ASK HOW THEY'RE DOING
This is honestly so simple, but so powerful. There is something truly amazing & uplifting about a person not just asking for prayer requests, but for coming back & checking up weeks later with you to see how the situation has changed.
7. BE INVOLVED.
To me, this goes beyond asking someone what they like to do on the weekends. If you find out someone plays soccer, show up to a game of theirs. If you know someone loves to draw, ask them about their inspirations, their favorite things to draw, or to even draw you something! No matter how big or small, be involved. Showing you care about someone beyond the surface is something Christ did all the time. 
8. INCLUDE OTHERS.
This is a no-brainer, but is often forgotten in a community of girls. Whether it's on purpose or accidentally, leaving people out is a breeding ground for drama & hurt feelings. Even if you know they can't make it to the event, a simple invitation goes a long way. & even if you don't care for the person or if they annoy you... Jesus suffered 6 hours on the cross until His death for you, I think you can handle an annoying friend for an hour or two! (Just sayin').