The time is coming up: your 21st birthday. The night where you will finally get to find out what alcohol tastes like.
Get ready to have the time of your life, but not before covering a few ground rules so you don't, you know, feel like death. Here are 21 ways to make your 21st a smashing success.
1. Have a good group of friends with you.
The best part about a birthday is who you share it with. Grab your sisters, roomies, coworkers, whoever, and head out for a fun night at the bars.
2. Take an Uber.
Take leaving your car somewhere and drunk driving out of the equation. It's just not happening. Call an Uber and have fun.
3. Get your favorite greasy, fast food.
Pro-tip: only frequent bars with tacos nearby. Go through a drive-thru in your Uber. Eat pizza on the street. Do it.
4. Get strangers to buy you drinks.
Birthday girl? People would love to buy you your first drinks.
5. Pace yourself.
Don't let anyone pressure you, and if you feel sick, grab some water and a seat. There's no need to go overboard.
6. Have fun.
It's your birthday! Don't put any pressure on yourself other than having a great time as the birthday princess.
7. Don't wear heels.
You will be so uncomfortable. Who cares about being cute once you're drunk anyway? I did a cute dress and chucks for my 21st, and let me tell you, fantastic choice.
8. Don't bring a purse.
There's nothing more stressful than losing your wallet or purse, and you're so much more likely to do so while out and drinking.
Try putting your house key on a hair tie and putting it on your wrist. (Thanks Big for that tip.)
9. Have a friend hold your ID and card.
You'll need your ID out and ready to show it and show it off, so give it to your bestie or a close friend so it doesn't get lost.
10. Eat a good meal before.
Some carbs, some healthy stuff, some hydration.
11. Have someone taking care of you.
Shout out to my roommates for putting up with me on my 21st, I would have been lost without them.
Have someone keeping your head up and keeping you safe!
12. Sleep close to a toilet.
There's no shame in being ready for disaster to strike.
Better safe than "sorry I threw up on you."
13. Have water by your bed for morning.
You'll thank your drunk self.
14. Don't plan anything for the following day.
Even if you think you'll be fine, you'll probably need more time to recuperate after your night out.
Let yourself recover.
15. Sleep. In.
You've been poisoning your body all night, essentially. Let it rest and don't try to get up too early. Not that you'll want to.
16. Pick your poison and stick to it.
Mixing alcohols will get you sicker faster. Stay with lighter, clear alcohols and avoid puking. Or don't, I'm not your mom or your bartender.
Drink yourself silly, but be safe.
17. Get a sign, a sash, whatever, to proclaim your new legal status.
Your friends can help you with this.
A fun "21st Birthday" proclamation is always fun to let the whole bar know you're newly out there.
18. Advil as a preemptive measure.
Just know you'll need it. Take it beforehand to lessen the hangover headache.
19. Greasy hangover food for breakfast.
Pancakes, eggs, bacon, cheesy bagelwiches.
They'll be SO good and you'll be so ready for them in the morning. 
20. Throw up if you need to.
No shame in that. Seriously, let it out before you feel like death.
You'll get better as soon as you puke out the poison.
21. Sit down and have a glass of wine.
Twenty-one isn't all about going out. You can actually buy your own alcohol, so sit down, pour yourself some casual vino and do some old people stuff or whatever.
You're a real grown-up now. (Just kidding.) (Kind of.)
