For all my 1997 babies, our time has finally come!
Not only are we finally almost done with college, but we are also turning that special age that we have been dreaming of for so long now. Thankfully, we won't ever have to worry about receiving an underage every time we step foot in a party again!
Although our minds are racing of thoughts of what this special night will turn into, it is important to keep these 21 things in mind when you are headed off to your first trip to the bar with all of your besties!
1. Don't put your drink down and pick it back up.
This is something our parents engraved in our mind as soon as we stepped foot on a college campus. Now that you finally made it to the bar scene, this saying means just the same. Keep an eye out on your drink at all times!
2. Don't wear a birthday outfit you can barely move in.
You want to rock your hottest outfit on your special day, all eyes are on you! Make sure you buy something flattering, yet comfortable so you are pulling at your body all night long.
3. Don't NOT dance with your friends...especially on elevated surfaces!
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to go out on the night of your 21st birthday, so live it up! If you aren't dancing the night away with your best friends... something is definitely wrong! Find the nearest elevated surface with your best friend, grab a drink, and dance all night long.
4. Don't take more shots than you can handle.
When it comes to taking shots, everyone knows their own personal limits. Please don't feel the need to take 21 shots on your 21st... you will indeed end up in the hospital, and nothing about that is fun! Limit yourself, but still, have a good time.
5. Don't be that obnoxious birthday girl to the bartender...
We've known it was your birthday the minute you stepped into the bar with your glistening tiara and matching sash. Yes, it's your special night, but please don't forget your please and thank you's!
6. Don't forget to eat a big meal beforehand!
Pulling an all-nighter of nonstop rapid drinking with your friends will easily not end well if you are drinking on an empty stomach! Eat a big meal before you go out so you don't worry about feeling sick later in the night. You won't regret it the next morning!
7. Don't pregame the bars too hard.
Yes, pregaming is a smart idea so you don't spend a lot of money at the bar buying more drinks. What isn't smart is drinking too much before you even make it to the bar and not get in because the bouncer wouldn't let you. Don't chug a Four Loko like the way you used to as a freshman.
8. Don't spend money on yourself on YOUR night.
This is your birthday... convincing every friend of yours and complete strangers to buy drinks for you is an absolute MUST. If you spend one single dollar on the night of your birthday, you aren't going out with the right people.
9. Don't drunkenly text your ex.
You will easily regret this decision the next morning, be smart with you who are texting when you are out!
10. Don't dupe your ID for a complete stranger.
Some people decide to duplicate their ID for others to use, and that's ok! If you do, make sure it is with someone you completely trust to use it, so no one gets in trouble if something bad were to happen.
11. Do not, whatever you do, wear uncomfortable shoes.
If you can barely walk in your new platform heels, the night is officially canceled. Find something cute, yet comfortable to wear to avoid potentially falling down a flight of stairs in front of that super cute boy you see all over campus. We all know tripping over your own two feet is bound to happen in the night!
12. Don't forget your new legal ID!
Time to throw away the fake ID you've been using for the past year that says you are 23 years-old and whip out your brand new legal ID to the bouncer! Don't forget to pack it with you before your outing to the bar. It would be MEGA embarrassing if you forgot the most important piece of your 21st.
13. Don't forget about late night pizza and cheese fries!
Late night drunk pizza is easily one of the best-drunk decisions one could ever make. But have you heard of late night cheese fries?! On your special night, treat yourself extra special. You only turn 21 once, so you might as well indulge while you have the chance (and money!).
14. Don't lose any of your belongings.
A small purse is all you need to carry your cell phone and wallet! Make sure you keep it on you at all times so you don't wake up the next morning missing something important... like your ID or all your money.
15. Don't go on alcohol runs for complete strangers.
Yeah supplying alcohol for your friends is super convenient, but make sure you are buying for your close friends and not total strangers. They can find their own way of getting alcohol if they need it that badly.
16.Don't go out with your underage friends.
As much as you want all your besties to be with you on your special night, don't go out with people who are underage! You don't want to risk one friend not being able to get into the bar, and feeling bad on your special night and trying to find a new place to drink.
17. Don't forget to stock your night stand with pure essentials for the next morning.
Water, Advil, and a snack to make you feel better. Have these by your bedside in order to reduce immediate hangover scaries the next morning. You'll thank yourself later!
18. Don't forget to stay with your best friends!
Wandering off drunk by yourself is never a good idea. Socialize with the people around you, but don't forget to leave with the people you came with! The bar life is fun, but you still need to make sure you are safe and in good trusting hands if you drink too much.
19. Don't go out with people you are barely friends with.
Surround yourself on your special night with people you genuinely care about! Your best friends want you to be happy, so go out with them and enjoy your night together. Realistically, you should always have your girls by your side on your night to hype you up, not bring you down!
20. Don't forget to call your parents about the night!
The chances of your parents spending the night together freaking out and worrying about your well-being on the night of your 21st is very high. Don't forget to call your mom and dad the next morning to fill them in on every juicy detail from the night before!
21. Don't forget to take a lot of pictures!
This is a night you want to never forget! Even if you do forget some parts of the night, don't forget to take a lot of pictures to remember the best night with your friends!
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