When it comes to birthdays, there are just a handful that are considered milestones. Turning 10 marks the “double digits,” 16 reels in the wheels, you’re a legal adult at 18 and 21 marks the first alcoholic beverage a student’s matured liver is ready to filter.
First, right?
Students wouldn’t dare have a drink in their tender years as a teen, would they?
No, of course not.
Well, all sarcasm aside, let’s be honest.
Unless students have lost a bet or are living in a bubble, they’ve probably had a drink before turning 21.
Your mom knows.
You weren’t that sneaky, I promise.
But is all the twenty-first hype worth it? Sure, walking the strips of Vegas would be cool, but college life equals a college budget. Who are we kidding here?
I suppose taking 21 shots and surviving would be something to brag about, but we can choose any other day to test the odds.
What we can’t do every day, however, is sit down at our favorite restaurant and celebrate our twenty-first birthday, on the day of, with family and close friends by ordering a legal alcoholic beverage.
Now that is something to be remembered.
What better way is there to enjoy your first legal drink?
You’ll have plenty of nights to question your vitals and regret it in the morning for the rest of your life.
I turned 21 this week, and quite frankly, I’m more excited for the years to come than the day itself.
Being expected to have high, unrealistic expectations and wandering around aimlessly is not my cup of tea.
Trust me, on March 11, 2014 my friends would have loved buying me every god-awful, cliché-named shot there is one after another, after another.
Since you’re reading this now, and my name is still fresh with ink under “Staff Writers” on page two, do not fear; I survived the big 2-1 shot free.
“Black-out or get-out” can wait for any other drunken weekend, Thirsty-Thursday night or Halloween costume party.
So instead of potentially passing out before the night’s over, or worse yet – getting drunk enough to call up that ex and figure out exactly where things went wrong, just enjoy your twenty-first birthday like the adult you are.
Our government has ever so thoughtfully deemed 21 years of age the milestone of one’s maturity.
But hey, if that’s not your thing and you couldn’t stand the thought of spending a respectable evening on a traditionally insane night, then so be it.
Get wild.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence reports that hundreds die each year from acute alcohol intoxication – better known as alcohol poisoning. Is one “epic” night worth your life?
My advice is to be smart.
In all seriousness, know your limits and keep track of your intake.
Pace yourself.