So, you're nearing that magical age you've been looking up to for well, 19 years. It's a whirlwind adventure to imagine not being a teenager anymore, and possibly even being considered a real adult FINALLY. With accomplishments such as living for two full decades, there's always a few steps you take to get there, and be who you want to be once you finally do. Here's my list of 8 things I've done before 20, that made me feel a little more confident in this whole "adulthood" path I've been thrown into.

1. Take a road trip alone.

Visit a friend or family member or just take a day trip a few hours away. The important part is that you do this alone. There’s something very freeing about 5 hours to yourself singing along to your favorite music and just getting lost in your own mind.

2. Stay up all night talking with friends then get breakfast as the sun comes up.

The truest thoughts come out past 3 am, you’ll feel even closer to your friends and get to see the sunrise with pancakes. What could be better?

3. Go on a hike over an hour away with your best friend.

Hiking is a relaxing activity (if you choose the right trail, I chose a much too intense one my first time!) and riding over an hour with your best friend is the perfect time to jam out to your favorite band and get hype/ cool down from your hike!

4. Go to a concert.

My first concert was when I was 16, and I haven’t stopped going to concerts since. If you’re the kind of person who uses music as an escape, you have no idea what kind of magic portal listening to live music is. When you’re in a dark room with thousands of people and you see your favorite artist walk out on stage, the entire world disappears in a flash.

5. Go on a guilt-free shopping spree.

Treat yo self! You might have to plan this one out and save up, but at least once before you turn 20 you should go shopping and buy only things for yourself with no guilt whatsoever. You have earned it, I promise.

6. Cook an entire meal on your own.

One of the most stressful things in life is knowing how to multitask with a deadline. Pick out a meal, give yourself a certain amount of time to get it done and go for it. This is a great way to work on time management skills, AND it involves food!

7. Read a book that wasn’t assigned to you.

99% of the time I’ve heard someone say they don’t like to read, they’ve never picked a book out for themselves to read. It makes a world of a difference when you pick something that actually interests you instead of being forced to read and answer questions or write about something you have no interest in.

8. Apply for a credit card.

This one may seem fun, but it’s a lot more important than you’d think. Building a credit score is just about the only way to prove to the business world that you’re actually an adult. You need it to rent a place to live, buy a car, even to get certain jobs. Proving early that you know how to handle money will put you forward in the world.

At the end of the day, this is my list. Your list might be a little different, and that’s okay! Everyone’s life is different, so of course, you might have other things you’d like to do before you reach the finish line of your teenage years.