Everyone knows that once you hit the age of eighteen you're officially an adult. Which means that you don't need your parents anymore, obviously. Once you get that high school diploma, you're free to do whatever you please. Want to go to college across the country? Do it! Stay out past midnight? Heck yeah! Take spontaneous trips to go cliff jumping without telling your parents? Absolutely! Your parents don't own you anymore, so why should you tell them everything you do like you used to? You have no curfew, no strings, no parents dragging you down, and it's awesome. Here's a list of reasons why once you get to college you totally don't need your parents anymore.
1. You can live off of take-out and pizza.
Remember those dull days of living at home and having Mom cook delicious homemade meals for the whole family each night? Well now you can live off ramen and pizza. If you're really feeling fancy you may even get Chick-Fil-A just to mix things up. Who needs that healthy, lovingly made food, anyway?
2. You learn the importance of quarters.
Who needs free laundry? Doing your own laundry is satisfying work and you can really get a lot done while you wait for all three of your separate loads to finish drying. Sometimes you may even get to spend twice as many quarters when the machines don't dry your clothes the first time! It's so much better than having to wait for your mom or dad to do the laundry.
3. You can stay out as late as you want!
Back in high school, you had to ask your parents for permission to go anywhere or stay out late. Even then, you probably still had to be home by 10 p.m. What a drag. Now that you're in college, you can stay out until four in the morning and pay the consequences the next morning when you have to get up for your 8 a.m. knowing that you're an adult and can make your own choices.
4. No more parents annoying you by asking about your life.
Every day after school you'd get the question "How was your day?" Now you don't have to worry about which direction to roll your eyes, because you don't hear that question anymore! You come back to your dorm and are greeted by your roommate who probably won't ask about the tiny details of your day. It's great not having someone to pester you with how much they care.
5. You learn how to be more creative.
Everyone has used their parents as excuses for not going somewhere or doing something, so we all know what a pain it is to text "Sorry, my mom said I can't go." Now that you control your own actions, you can flex that creative side of your brain and come up with excuses on your own when you decide you don't want to do something. It's really a chance to grow.
6. You learn to deal with a crisis as a strong, independent adult.
You aren't a little kid anymore, so you don't want to run to mom and dad whenever something horrible happens. This is even easier for those who go to school far from home. Instead of having that embarrassing situation where you cry on a parent's shoulder, you can cry into your pillow instead. You learn to deal with things alone, which really builds character.
7. No more being smothered by love and affection.
It's always so embarrassing when your parents shower you with hugs and kisses while telling you they love you. It's just the worst. Now that you're away at college, you probably only hear from them on occasion, so you don't have to worry about all their love crushing you anymore. Living a lonely life without that constant love is truly a freeing experience.
Now that you've been reminded how lucky you are to not be around your parents, make sure you go out and live your life to the fullest. Or, as full as you can live it without someone backing you up and cheering you on. Go forth and live your special, independent adult life.
