1. Being 21 is expensive, expensive, expensive.

They say that the year after you turn is your most expensive year in your young adult years. You spend money on overpriced drinks (and if you are a boy, you probably are buying girls you just met overpriced drinks), and you go home with half the cash you intended on spending. The only thing you’ll probably be able to afford after a few weeks is happy hour. Only one hour.

2. There’s no more thrill.

You’re doing everything you have already been doing since you were 16… just legally. Now you’re just like every other adult, not a rebellious, adventure-seeking teen. There certainly is a little thrill that goes missing.

3. All of your friends will be there to celebrate 21 with you.

What could possibly be worse than turning 21 and having zero friends that can come out with you to celebrate the big day because they are all still 20? Sure, being one of the last ones turning doesn’t sound too great… but at least you won’t be missing anyone during your celebration, and it will be bigger and better than anyone else’s.

4. No more excuses.

When you are finally 21 and admit to not going out last night because you were tired or in a crappy mood, you probably won’t live it down. You’ll start hearing sarcastic comments like “Woah, what a fun 21-year-old you are”. You no longer can say “I won’t get in” or “I don’t have my fake I.D.” Nope sorry.

5. You’re still healthy.

Lots of alcohol results in lots of calories. Drinking can really take a toll on one’s body and is a super easy way to gain weight. We all saw this with the “Freshman 15” but what about the “Twenty-One 21”? Besides weight, heavy drinking can really affect your insides and do serious damage to some of your organs. Stay healthy while you can.

6. You don’t need to rush your life away.

When you turn 21, you are going to be thrilled and probably are going to celebrate for a week straight. There are going to be many more times in life when you feel this thrilled, so stop trying to rush through them all because you don’t want them to be over just yet!

7. When you are legal, the hangovers are somehow... worse.

They are much worse. For some reason, when you have a bar in front of you with so many options, you are inclined to try them all out. Versus when you are sneaking around a plastic water bottle filled of the same alcohol. Mixing sugary drinks, shots, and things you never tried before does NOT feel so hot the morning after.

8. Everyone else had to wait 7,666 days.