At 13, you become a teenager; 16, you learn how to drive; 18, you become an adult; 21, you can finally purchase an alcoholic beverage.
But what about 22? What matters about turning 22?
This year as my 22nd birthday approached I discovered the most important lessons I learned by 22.
1. Self-assurance
By the time you turn 22, you have a better grip on who you are as a person.
2. Purpose
At 22, it becomes easier to find out what your life purpose is from everything you learned in your humble undergraduate years.
3. Life values
It is a great time to discover what you value in your life.
4. Time management
After 3 years of cramming in schedules, jobs, internships, and extracurriculars you develop a better grip on managing time.
5. Interviews
After years of trying out for internships or jobs, I have finally nailed how to answer questions about myself.
6. Resume writing
Not the most fun but definitely essential for getting a job.
7. Post-graduation plans
This is the age you finally plan what you want after you graduate.
8. Hobbies
It becomes more clear what you want to do.
9. Leadership
People will look up to you especially freshman, it's time to be a role model for them
10. Cooking
Definitely still not a master in this area but at least I can make a grilled cheese right?
11. Budgeting
Financing is never fun but I have finally figured out just how much money I need for the basics of living.
12. Fitness routine
I have never found working out as "fun" but essential for mental and physical health.
13. Exam preparation
In the final year of college, it is easier to understand what each class takes success on finals.
14. Friend groups
At 22 it is so much easier to understand the kind of friends you want to keep around.
15. What truly matters
It is easy to stress about things that you can not change but in your 20s, you easily learn what truly matters.
16. Self-worth
You learn that you are so much more then you think you are and people do care about you.
17. How to be "yourself"
So much of undergrad is spend discovering who you are or who you want to be. It's time to let go and be OK with being who you are.
18. Favorite things
You know those awkward questions favorite movie, favorite store things like that have finally become more clear.
19. Wants vs. needs
You learn all the things you want in your life vs. what you actually need in your life, and frankly, the needs always hold a heavier weight than the wants.
20. How to handle change
So much has changed since high school but at this point in your life, it is easier to let go and embrace it.
21. Responsibility
Being responsible is not always fun but it's a great skill to have in the end.
22. The person you want to be
Twenty-two essentially is all about your previous self-discovery and becoming the greater and shiner person that you can be.
As your self-doubt begins to crumble away, and the idea of "fitting in" becomes a long distant memory. Twenty-two is an age where you are given the freedom to put your life together and go on the journey that you want.