The moment I turned 18, I saw my life flashed before my eyes. It was scary, but what was nice about it was that it was a non-adult life. With my first year of college coming to an end, I'm slowly realizing that the adult world is actually very real and soon, we will be the ones paying taxes and wearing adult clothes at our adult jobs. So basically, we'll have to do things that no one looks forward to. Seeing my sister have to sacrifice her high waisted shorts and crop top for a business casual outfit and no longer being able to wake up late in the morning for her classes, but instead waking up at 5 a.m. to go to work, is honestly scary. People often say that college is the best time of your life, but what makes it scary is that once something starts, it can easily pass by without notice – and then be missed only once its over.
College is nice because even though you get to do adult things, like vote, drive, and be able to sign consent forms, there are still things to fall back on. What happens when you aren't able to find a job? When you can't find a place to live? When you forget to buy the groceries? When you're an adult and you happen to forget to pay the electricity bills, whoops, I guess no electricity for you. With adulthood comes harsher and more permanent repercussions. You will always be able to hear an adult refer to their past mistakes, with, "Well, I was young." Being young is an excuse for your mistakes, but one you pass the point of youth, the consequences become more concrete.
What if you never grow out of the things you love to do? Like going to the zoo or playing hide and seek. What happens when the things you love are no longer socially acceptable to do because of your age? During this first year of college, my friends and I would play hide and seek in the building we lived in. After the first few times, we were actually met with people telling us to be more mature.
"Hide and seek? In college? Are you 12?" Well, I'm sorry that the youth is literally seeping out of your pores and you're allowing your soon-to-be white hairs stop you from having fun.
I understand that just because you are old, you can still do fun things and responsibility will become like second nature to you, but when I am old and wrinkly, I'm afraid to look back and miss this.
