21 years old is a milestone age, but there’s a lot more to it than what people who aren’t yet 21 think. Here are 21 things you realize when you’re 21.

1. You never have to worry about the words “underage drinking” again. Out with the house parties and in with the bars!

2. Buying drinks at bars is super expensive, and if you have too much your drunk self will wreak havoc on your bank account.

3. You are closer to age 40 than you are to age zero.

4. You’re probably not going to be that rapper, football player or actor you’ve always envisioned yourself as, and have to start thinking about the “real world.”

5. The time spent at a four-year university is quick, and while we all want to graduate, time just goes by way too fast to feel comfortable moving on.

6. You can no longer get away with not taking care of your body. That pint of ice cream you ate yesterday WILL show up on the scale.

7. As much as being young and free sounds great, adult responsibilities are gradually pulling you in.

8. Money influences more things than ever imaginable.

9. People our age are either in a happy, committed relationship or are single and panicking, no in between.

10. Taking care of your teeth is important.

11. Many of the movies you watched as a kid have some really messed up content.

12. At this point in our lives, there’s no way around not being able to cook.

13. There isn’t really anything wrong with thinking “C’s get degrees.” Employers don’t usually see the GPA.

14. Teenagers are not the only ones who text and drive. There are plenty of irresponsible adults out there.

15. If your family celebrated Christmas and Easter, you literally believed that magic beings would BREAK INTO YOUR HOME, yet would get EXCITED about it.

16. You are never to old for Disney movies, but you now can’t un-see the whitewashing.

17. Starting a family by X age is an unfair social obligation. Too many people settle down before they’re truly ready too, and regret it later in life.

18. Coffee is basically just gas for human beings. Without coffee, we don’t run.

19. The years on your family’s insurance plan are numbered, as with anything else your family might still pay for.

20. There are certain Snapchat filers that just should NOT ever be used. We’re looking at you, dog filter.

21. From now on, every age you turn has basically no significance whatsoever.

Do any of these resonate with you? You're only 21 once, and while the timing of these realizations may seem poor, they're happening at what will be a great time in your life.