There is nothing more exciting than a 21st birthday, especially when it's yours. Finally, you're #legal and when the bartender at your favorite restaurant asks for an ID when you confidently order a glass of rosé, you can finally give them one. Yes, turning 21 is a huge accomplishment because of the boundaries that no longer exist, but you accumulate a lot of knowledge and life experiences by this age as well. As roommates and great friends, who both happened to turn 21 within a month apart from each other, we thought we would share 21 things we learned by the age of 21. The funny, the serious, and the unexpected.

1. You learn how to make a meal slightly more advanced than microwave mac and cheese (even if it’s still as simple as scrambled eggs).

2. You learn how to be more assertive and voice your ideas and opinions.

3. You learn how to dress like an adult for the sake of an interview, meeting or job.

4. You learn how to responsibly consume alcohol (even if you sometimes choose to disregard those responsible limits).

5. You learn how to interact with mean bosses, lazy coworkers and grumpy roommates.

6. You learn slightly better time management skills even if there is still some room for improvement.

7. You learn how much a hug or smile can truly make someone’s day.

8. You learn how to budget your money (after having your mom transfer money far too many times).

9. You learn how to schedule and make plans of action (most likely from failing at it for quite some time).

10. You learn what you’re looking for in a significant other… and what you definitely aren't.

11. You learn that your parents are actually your best friends after all these years of being mean to them.

12. You learn that your family and friends will always be there for you. Even when your significant other isn’t.

13. You learn that blasting music, sprinting around a track, crying in the shower, sitting in silence or screaming into a pillow can actually do wonderful things for you.

14. You learn that there are always going to be ups and downs in life. The key is learning how to respond to those peaks and valleys.

15. You learn that sleep is something that you are perfectly capable of doing without, but you definitely need at some point.

16. You learn that figuring out every aspect of your future is exceedingly challenging, but then you remember you are only 21. You still have an entire lifetime ahead of you.

17. You realize that although you might need to start "thinking" about your future, these thoughts are not set and stone.

18. You learn that brownies at midnight are sometimes a necessity during those late nights you spend studying.

19. You learn the importance of focusing on yourself; take those extra long showers and buy yourself some flowers just because.

20. You realize that dried up, dead flowers can actually make a pretty artsy centerpiece.

21. And lastly, you learn that you're not alone. You have roommates, friends, and family members that are there for you. There to catch you when you slip on some ice on your way to an interview, there to laugh at you when it takes you literally ten minutes to open a champagne bottle, and there to give you a giant hug during your accomplishments, heartbreaks and breakdowns.

Here's to being 21, with responsibility comes great reward. Although we're still young college students, we're both realizing one of the most "adult life lessons" one can learn, take what comes at you and make the best of it. Let's make a toast; here's to the funny, the serious and the unexpected.

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Aubrey Woolford and Tessa Farthing