If I could go back and give my 18 year old self advice...

1. Rethink who your friends are. Don't give your loyalty to people who won't reciprocate.
2. Work and save up a lot of money.
3. Take a break before going to college. Join the Peace Corp or an international volunteer ministry for a year to get your feet wet about what you want to do with your life.
4. Get through school as fast as possible.
5. Get better grades, because I know I can do it, I'm smart and I just need to apply myself.
6. Set strong boundaries between myself and my family and if they don't like it, too bad. My health is worth more.
7. Don't be afraid to develop yourself and your own person.