It's 11:59 pm and you are one minute away from getting your first drink. The excitement throughout your body is astonishing and you realize that you are about to have a legal first drink in public. Turning 21 is known for "the privilege of having alcohol". Although this seems like the biggest thing in the world...it's really not. I was expecting to have alcohol as the only exciting part of my 21st birthday because of all the hype behind it. Boy, I was wrong, and this is why.

1. Updating my driver's license

Turning 21 is amazing, and yes, you will feel amazing--but what about the other things you get to do now that you're 21? My 21st birthday was an extremely happy one and no--I did not focus on getting wasted. I focused on other things such as the feeling of updating my driver's license. Mind you that it is quite a hideous photo...but I now have a horizontal license. For some reason, this made me really excited.

2. Going into nightclubs

And no--this is not so that I can drink the night away. I have always been a free spirit, and I love the feeling of happy people dancing. It means that people are having a good time. My first night club experience was amazing because I had my boyfriend by my side, and we danced the night away. Alcohol does not have to be in your system to have a fun time at night clubs.

3. Booking a hotel room

Now, this was one thing that excited me. On my first day of being 21, I checked into a hotel in Times Square, NYC with no issue. This made me feel like a true adult. Swiping my hotel room key was a feeling that I will never forget.

4. Going to 21+ events

When I was 18-20, I was basically in limbo. I couldn't get into the teen clubs anymore and couldn't get into the adult events. I would have to leave the nightlife before it even began because of my age. Now that I am 21, I am not in that limbo stage anymore.

5. Being able to gamble at a casino

Yes, at the age of 18 I was allowed to gamble when it came to the lottery and playing bingo...but never at the casino. Trust me, I love my scratch offs as much as the next guy, but hey, let's kick it up a notch.

6. Not having a big X on your hand

Have you ever gone to a concert or event where they write a big "X" in sharpie on one or even both of your hands? Well--those days are over! No more scrubbing the "X" off your hand(s) after a long night. You get the freedom to have a sharpie free hand.

7. You're an adult now

This one can be sad, but it happens to all of us. Now that you are 21, you have to take responsibility for your actions. It's up to you to make the right choices as an adult. Don't let this scare you though--being an adult can be great! It takes time to get used to, but that's the same as everything in life.

At the end of the day, you're officially 21--and with that being said, you are NOT on your own. You still have people who love you and will support you through the transition to adulthood. Make your life the way you want it to be--you'll go far!