Why I'm Scared to Turn 21 | The Odyssey Online
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Why I'm Scared to Turn 21

Jesse Higareda
Mar 02, 2015
San Diego State University
1236
Why I'm Scared to Turn 21

Everyone talks about how great turning 21 is. The liberty to purchase alcohol and proudly present the cashier, bartender, bouncer, and maybe even a cop with your ID is something us younger ones look forward to. Turning 21 is like winning an award. Everyone wants to show their award (ID) off. But why all the emphasis on the big 21? Is it really worth all the hype? 

I feel like turning 21 is the final rite of passage that leads to maturity, grown-up responsibilities, and the first stage of ending your young, care-free and stupid days.  The idea of turning 21 is great but does the reality of it meet all the expectations? Here are a few reasons why I'm scared and not too excited about turning 21. 

  1. Turning 21 sounds expensive. All the festivities: going out to dinner, bar hopping and ending the night with a club or two sounds like my bank account is already crying for mercy. 
  2. SHOTS! SHOTS!! SHOTS!!! Because people turn 21, we're going to  expect that playing 21 shots will be fun. Being 21 must mean that people become invincible toward alcohol poisoning, right? Truth of it is, turning 21 doesn't make us invincible, although it may feel like it. If anything, turning 21 should make you MORE of a responsible drinker.  
  3. The hangover the morning after your 21st is a rough one, I heard. It's already giving me a headache and I'm still a few months away.  
  4. In the long run, I'm bound to visit Las Vegas multiple times. Just one problem ... Vegas is expensive! I'm still in college and have bills, rent, textbooks, and tuition to pay. 
  5. Turning 21 means that I'm one year closer to even more grown up responsibilities. The pressure to start settling down, get married, find a solid career, and live an adult life will begin in a matter of 3-4 years from now. Why can't I stay 21 in college for the rest of my life?

I'm three months away from turning the big 2-1 so I'm going to enjoy being a 20-year-old as much as I can before I start to experience the things mentioned above. I'm looking forward to this next part of my life, but I'm also a little scared. I guess it's a good thing that I realize that turning 21 isn't a free pass to getting belligerently drunk every weekend. The best thing I can do right now is save my money for the expensive weekend of what will be my 21st birthday if I even decide to celebrate it like your typical 21-year-old. 

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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