Your 20s are the best time of your life. You're old enough to have the freedom you want, but young enough to enjoy life without worrying about the “real world" just quite yet. Your 20s are your last hoorah before you start a career and a family, which makes it the perfect time to complete a bucket list.
1. Go to a music festival. Whether it's The Hangout Music Festival or Coachella, treat yo self to a weekend of good friends, good music, and good vibes. You won't regret it.
2. Make an impromptu road trip. The best trips are unplanned, and the best destinations are the ones you come across by accident. Get an old fashion road map and your best friends and go. Whether you end up at the beach or the mountains, I guarantee you'll make memories to last a lifetime.
3. Do some races. Even if you're not much of a runner, things like color runs and mud races are super fun, cheap, and memorable. Or if you ARE a runner, make it a goal to run a marathon or half-marathon. Plus, think of all the cool t-shirts.
4. Go on a cruise. If you have the time and the finances, I highly suggest this. It's basically a giant party in the middle of the ocean. Doesn't get much cooler than that.
5. Volunteer. It probably seems silly right now, but when you're done, you'll feel great. Animal shelters, soup kitchens, and nursing homes are almost always taking volunteers, and what better time to lend a hand than on a free afternoon between classes?
6. Stop and smell the roses. No literally, stop and smell those things. Slow down and take the time to appreciate the world around you. Hiking, kayaking, or anything in between -- just spend some down time in nature and enjoy life.
7. Go to a drive-in movie. They won't be around much longer, so go out there and enjoy them while they still exist.
8. Put yourself out there. Get out of your comfort zone and meet people you wouldn't normally meet. Make friends from different cultures and religions, and get to know the world you're living in a little better in the process.
9. Start a collection. This is another one that seems silly, but you'll definitely look back on it when you're older and be glad you did it. Collect your sorority or fraternity shirts, shirts from 5Ks, shot glasses from all the interesting places you went. Heck, collect buttons. It doesn't matter. Find something you like and collect it.
10. Get a tattoo. Okay so this one isn't for everyone, and it's kind of scary because it's permanent. But hey, if you're going to get one now is the time to do it. Just make sure it's something that you really want or is meaningful to you. And when you get older, show that thing off with pride because you're going to be the cool tatted grandparent at all of the school functions.
11. See a Broadway play. Whether you travel up to New York or stay close to home and go to the BJCC in Birmingham, a Broadway play is a must in your 20s. It's an excuse to get all dressed up and feel cultured for the night before you have to go back to class, where you rarely shower and only wear XL shirts.
12. Learn a new language. It will help you in the job field, and I mean come on, who doesn't swoon over someone who can speak a different language?
13. Go on a blind date. Because why not? You may even meet the love of your life (or find a brand new reason to hate your best friend).
14. Pull an all-nighter. I don't mean with your text books, and I don't mean with that bottle of Jack D either. Spend a whole night with your friends, playing games or going on adventures, and watch the sun rise the next morning. Good clean fun that you'll remember the next day and can laugh about for years.
15. Learn to cook. And I'm not talking about grilled cheese and ramen. Learn how to cook legitimately nice meals. Its loads of fun and your significant other will definitely thank you in the future.
16. Conquer a fear. What better time is there than now to show public speaking and roaches who's boss?
17. Do something adventurous. Sky diving, snorkeling, backpacking. Anything that you've always wanted to do, but never thought you could.
18. Pet a wild animal. A lot of zoos invite people to come and play with the baby animals to get them adjusted to people. The Gulf Coast Zoo, for example, does this with their tigers, wolves, and kangaroos. Also, you should probably do this at a place with supervision, not in your back yard with the friendly raccoon.
19. Go on a mission trip. This is a lot different than just volunteering. Going to third world countries and helping people a lot less fortunate than you will definitely put things in your life into perspective.
20. Do whatever makes you happy. Your 20s aren't the time to regret the things you haven't done, they're the time to get out and live. Travel, help people, fall in love, find yourself. Just do whatever makes you happy and live the best life you can possibly live.
