My dad always says, “You spend the half your life waiting to be 21, and the rest of your life trying to stay 25.” Well dad, thanks for that great advice, but can you give me any advice on how to get there faster? Because being 20 kinda sucks.
There’s birthdays throughout the years that are worth looking forward to. Like turning 5. Most of us probably don’t remember turning 5, but I’ve seen some kids at their 5th birthday party and damn, they look happy. Then there’s 13, when you’re finally a teenage and you hate your parents and you’re pretty angsty but hey, at least you’re a teen now. And 16, you can drive and you like your parents a little more, especially when you get a car. 17, you can see R rated movies and 18 you can smoke cigs and act really cool and vote and stuff.
But honestly, there is NOTHING good about turning 20. That statement is overly cynical, but it really is no fun. And here’s why:
1. You’re so close. Only one short year stands between you and being able to legally consume alcohol.
2. Nothing has changed in a while. You’re probably in the sophomore slump getting ready to head into junior year. You aren’t an excited freshman anymore and you’re actually realizing that soon you have to find a job.
3. Your birthday probably fell on a Tuesday. But really, I feel like all 20th birthdays fall on the worst days to have fun, like Tuesday or Sunday. Can ya cut a girl some slack?!
4. You’re at the awkward in between of being too old to go to frats but still being too young to go the bars. Or you're too old to party at your frat house because the girls there are the same age as your sister. Might as well just head to the Levee and stare longingly at the Cellar steps.
5. Classes are starting to get difficult. No more Theater or Geology, you’re taking 300 level classes and contemplating changing your major or working at Zaxby’s.
6. Everyone gets in trouble. Seriously. Tell me how many people you know that didn’t get an MIP or into trouble right before their 21st birthday. That’s right, everyone did.
Don’t get me wrong, I love being twenty, flirty, and thriving (or is that thirty?), but for those of you that are already 21 or trying to stay 25, I’m ready to join you.
