Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Life Stages

Just Because You’re Turning 21 Doesn’t Mean You Have To Drink

Here's 13 other things you can do instead.

Francesca Roan

Sep 25, 2018

University of Dayton

Just Because You’re Turning 21 Doesn’t Mean You Have To Drink

https://pixabay.com/en/alcohol-drink-object-glass-black-1741503/

It's mid-September and everyone is already prepping for fall. My friends are stocking their fridges with pumpkin spice coffee creamers. My little cousin is getting his Halloween costume ready to go trick or treating. Even Kroger has "fallen" for the excitement by putting out pumpkins and Halloween candy.

Even though I'm not quite ready to let go of summer, I can't say that I blame everyone for the excitement surrounding fall. For me, this fall will be particularly exciting since I will be turning 21.

The only problem is I'm not much of a drinker. But why does this have to be a problem? Aren't there other things I can do on my special day that won't cause me to miss out on my 21^st birthday experience?

Things to do on your 21st birthday that isn't drinking:

1) Watch a movie

Giphy

Before you dismiss this option as too boring, consider this. If you're like me, you have a busy schedule. Your schedule is, in fact, so busy that it has turned you into this wide-eyed, sleep deprived shell of a human being.

Now imagine a relaxing night, watching a movie with your friends, and not having to worry about anything. 'Nough said.

2) Go to the bar

Giphy

Go! Have a great time with your friends. Just because you go to a bar or club doesn't mean you have to drink. #designateddriver

3) Go to the zoo

Giphy

Because who wouldn't want to see cute animals?

4) Go to an amusement or water park

Giphy

Cedar Point, an amusement park in Sandusky, OH, hosts their annual HalloWeekends from September to October. HalloWeekends holds a particularly special place in my heart ever since I visited there when I was 6 and someone dressed as the Ghostface character from Scream and made me cry. Ahh…. Memories.

5) Go skydiving

Giphy

"This isn't flying! This is falling with style!" –Buzz Lightyear

6) Take a trip

Giphy

Go somewhere on your bucket list that you've been dying to go to—even if it's just for a weekend! The money you would have spent on drinks could be used to create memories instead.

7) Go zip-lining

Giphy

Best. Adrenaline. Rush. Ever.

8) Go to a museum

Giphy

Believe it or not, dead people dealt with the same drama that we deal with today, everything from relationship issues to political violence to drug addictions. I'm lookin' at you Marilyn Monroe.

9) Go shopping

Giphy

Treat yourself to something you wouldn't normally get. It is, after all, your birthday.

10) See a play

Giphy

"The ten-dollar Founding Father without a father

Got a lot farther by working a lot harder

By being a lot smarter

By being a self-starter" –Hamilton

11) Go paragliding

Giphy

The pontoon boat of the sky.

12) See your favorite artist/band in concert

Giphy

Say hello to the future Mrs. Shawn Mendes.

13) Go to a sports game

Giphy

Let's face it, Michigan State can beat the University of Michigan any day.

No matter what you decide to do on your 21st birthday, have fun!! I know I will!!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

84380

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society

147550

a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

single life

Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College

50857

loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets

StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

University of Oklahoma

985647

Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat

Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

family and friends

Recommended for you

Just Because You’re Turning 21 Doesn’t Mean You Have To Drink

Here's 13 other things you can do instead.

1) Watch a movie

2) Go to the bar

3) Go to the zoo

4) Go to an amusement or water park

5) Go skydiving

6) Take a trip

7) Go zip-lining

8) Go to a museum

9) Go shopping

10) See a play

11) Go paragliding

12) See your favorite artist/band in concert

13) Go to a sports game

Subscribe to our Newsletter

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Ingredients

Instructions

Ingredients

Instructions

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Life Stages

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter