On my 15^th birthday I received my permit, 16^th my license, 17^th the privilege of buying my own R-rated movie tickets and 18^th the right to vote. Turning 19, however, seems lackluster compared to the past four years. It’s almost been a year since my 19^th birthday, and I am finally accepting the fact that 19 is just an awkward age.

1. You're still a “teen”

After turning 18, one is supposedly an adult; however, nineTEEN makes that difficult. You may feel like a mature, responsible young adult but the “teen” at the end of your age begs to differ.

2. You receive no new privileges

Turning 19 means literally nothing in the world of privileges. You already received your permit, your license, and your ability to vote. Now you must wait another year until you gain the privilege of reaching a milestone, the age of 20.

3. Do I shop in juniors or women’s?

The struggle of shopping has never been so real. It’s time to start dressing more maturely, but you still find cute clothes in the junior’s section, even if your size has gone up (thanks college). Sometimes finding the balance of appropriate clothing for your age is super difficult.

4. “Aww, you’re such a baby”

Although you are a sophomore in college, many of the people around you are older. When older people realize you are still nineteen they immediately tell you that you are a baby and begin reflecting on their own “youth” from two years prior.

5. 21 is still so far off

Yes, you are almost 20 and that’s super exciting, but let’s be honest, we are all waiting for the day we turn 21 to celebrate our one last big birthday privilege.

6. 19 is an awkward number

You cannot divide 19 by any number and get a whole number answer. The number alone is just awkward.

7. You can’t repost any of the “in your 20s” articles

Good ol’ Facebook always provides the best articles such as “20 Quotes That All 20-Year-Olds Must Read,” but no matter how much you relate you refrain from sharing because everyone knows you are still 19.

8. You feel older than your age sounds

At this point in your life you are beginning to feel grown up and like a young adult, but every time someone asks your age you cringe admitting that you are still 19.

9. Panic is starting to kick in because you are almost 20 and that means you are growing up, fast

With the idea of growing up in mind, you begin to think about the future and all the upcoming responsibilities ahead.

10. Awkward age for dating

If you date someone younger you have the risk of turning 19 while they are still 17 and that just sounds weird. If you date someone older they might turn 21 while you are still 19, and then you feel weird.

11. Your parents still have control

You start to feel more adult like but still find yourself asking your parents for permission and sometimes being denied the freedom you think you deserve.

12. Discovering new responsibilities

However, you officially have to do most things on your own (think laundry and purchases) and feel bad when you have to call your mom to ask her how to adult.

13. Halfway through college

19 means college is almost halfway over… just let that sink in.

14. Life is tough because you are still figuring out what you want to do post college

Although college is almost halfway through, you probably still have no idea what you are going to do with your life.

15. But you don’t want to be too stressed

You still want to have fun.

16. Some people your age are already getting married and having babies

Your age really starts to feel weird when you begin seeing people your age getting married and having children.

17. There’s no songs about being 19

Taylor Swift gave us catchy tunes about being fifteen and something to look forward to sing when we turn twenty-two, but no one writes music about the awkward age of 19.

18. Everyone seems much younger or much older than you

Especially at family get-togethers you are surrounded by either little kids or older adults. Where do we fit in at age 19?!

19. Although 19 may be awkward, enjoy it while it lasts

Yes, 19 may be one of the more awkward years of our lives, but we must enjoy it while we can. Before we know it we will be turning 20 and taking on a whole new experience.