Ah, adulthood, the much-coveted world of one's youth whose door opens once one becomes 18. I remember my own 18th birthday, and how I turned to my mom and said, "Mom, now that I'm a real adult, you have to treat me like one." Her response? "I don't care how old you get, as long as you're living under my roof, you will listen to and do what I say."

All jokes aside, now that I've turned 20, I'm starting to understand what adulthood is truly like. As children, and even as teenagers, we never realize how much we actually depend on our parents until we go off to college, or have our first job. I think that is when it hits you, that adulthood isn't all fun and games, but real work and responsibility as well.

So without further ado, here are 10 moments where you realize you're (finally) an adult.

1. You can drive with no time or passenger restrictions.

You're saying I don't have to be home by 11 p.m.? And that I can have as many friends in the car as I want? In that case... (calls all friends within a 10-mile radius). Let's go out! Oh, and bring all of your friends too because drivings on me!"

2. Two words: Jury. Duty.

The government doesn't care about which day you were planning to play basketball. Time for you to hit up another court (ba-dum, tssss).

3. You make all of your own important phone calls by yourself -- without Mom's help!

Uh, hi, I'm calling to make an appointment for 3 p.m. on Thursday -- yes, thank you.-Bye." (Puts down phone and splashes face with water.) Whew, glad that's over.

4. You go to the doctor's and dentist's offices on your own (again, without Mom!)

(Screams internally.)

5. That moment when you realize that if you got into any real trouble, you could be arrested and sent to jail.

Not today, Satan. Not today.

6. You have to fill out all of your important forms on your own, but on the plus side, at least you don't need a parent's signature anymore.

(Parent or guardian's signature required if under 18 years of age? As if. (Signs with a flourish.)

7. When you have to start doing your own taxes and tax returns.

Basically.

8. Just to realize that on top of that, you also have to pay for your own gas.

Why do bad things always happen to good people? Bye money, it was nice knowing you.

9. When you're at a wedding, and people stop you to say, "Hey, that's gonna be you someday soon, huh? (Nudge, wink)."

I can barely turn on the oven without causing a potential gas leak. Do I look like I'm ready to get married to you?

10. You realize that you're entering a new and exciting phase of your life, and you can't wait to see what the real world has in store for you.

Bring it on, adulthood.