Whether you are waiting to have a drink until you're of legal age or you have always been the rebel child who made jungle juice with just a splash from every bottle in your parents' alcohol cabinet, you all have that countdown to 21 going. I recently celebrated this huge milestone with a group of some of my closest friends and family, and, contrary to some horror stories, I made it out alive. Having a November birthday is sort of like being the middle child. I learned a thing or two from my friends who had summer birthdays, and now I hope to shed light on some major lessons to the rest of you who will be joining this shiny new world filled with, "do you want to go to happy hour after class?" invites and Total Wine field trips. So, with that, here are the top 10 things to avoid on your 21st birthday, as told by the girl who was fortunate enough to make it out alive.
1. Tequila
Just because Meredith and Christina drink strictly tequila on "Grey's Anatomy" does not mean you have to! If someone is buying you a shot and they insist on tequila, I can promise you that that shot is going to be cheap, warm, and massive. If there is not salt or a lime provided, dump that down the drain in the bathroom because that will not feel good in the morning.
2. Your Ex
He/she may have texted you to wish you the best birthday ever, but they are still your ex for a reason! I don't care if at the time they seem kind and worthy of your friendship, carrying on a full conversation with them is not something you would do on any other night of the year. Don't set yourself up for a weird conversation later when you have to tell them, "no, we are actually not going to be friends," because seriously, you're more than likely better off without them impeding your current happiness.
3. Emails to your group members about the project due at the end of the week
This is just a rookie mistake. If it is only 9 p.m. on a Monday night, odds are your group-mates are up studying or trying to get their part of the project done. I hope at this point they understand that you are not in the right state of mind, but make sure not to agree to a meeting for 8 a.m. the next morning. You. Will. Not. Make. It.
4. McDonald's
I know. Chicken nuggets, a Big Mac and a large chocolate shake always sound good when you have had a few. But do you need it?! Entering a McDonald's is a sure way to feel bloated and greasy the entire next day, making your hangover that much more disgusting.
5. The ATM
I use this same rule when I enter the casino: Only bring in as much as you are genuinely willing to spend. Taking out more money than you intend to spend might seem like the right thing to do now, but I can assure you there will be an enormous pit in your stomach when you check your bank account tomorrow morning.
6. Your place of work
This one is pretty dependent on where you actually work. I work at a local bar, so in reality I fit right in with the other college students that were there drinking. However, it can make for an interesting night if you really love your coworkers because #FreeLongIslands. That can be the best thing in the world at the time, but after a while you start to lose count because there is no burning hole in your pocket to tell you to stop!
7. Losing your keys
Save yourself the time and energy tomorrow morning; give your best friend your keys or clip them to the inside of your shoe. More than likely, if you are home in your bed safely the next morning, your keys are on your roommate's floor (speaking for a friend, of course).
8. Rompers
Yes I know, my heart broke too. I bought the cutest romper for the occasion and rocked it for as long as I physically could. But ladies (and gentlemen if you choose to also partake in this fashion miracle), no romper is worth the struggle of your best friend helping you fully undress in order to use the restroom. With every drink, your motivation to do so will decrease significantly.
9. Saying, "I don't need a water..."
...because you do need a water. There might be a joke there about the fact that a Coors Light is water, but it's not. Hydration is key.
10. Going home alone
I'm not saying you should by any means pick up a straggler and bring them home, but dedicate a birthday buddy who will make sure you make it home safely. The last thing you want to do is end up in a weird situation on the day you've been looking forward to for your entire adolescent life.
How you spend your 21st birthday is really up to you, but if you are into the idea of spending it out on the town, I genuinely hope you take this all into consideration as you hit the first couple of bars. Something that will make or break your experience is who you choose to spend it with. I was lucky to have some of my best friends from Wisconsin make the trip up and surprise me. The fact that they would set aside a Monday evening to celebrate with me meant the world and also reminded me that regardless of any worries in my life as a college student, I have some pretty great people surrounding me. So here's to 21 years, and to all my older friends, because without them I wholeheartedly believe that I wouldn't have made it out alive.
