21 things to do before turning 21
Megan McWethy, Assistant Lifestyles Editor
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: Lifestyles
In honor of my 21st birthday today, I compiled a list of 21 activites to do before you turn 21. Enjoy:
1) Vote. Although my loyalties lie with one specific party, I would rather a citizen vote for the opposite party than not vote at all. To think of all the women and minorities in the world who can't vote, it would be a disgrace to throw this amazing privilege away. So like Diddy and every other celebrity said, "Vote or die"...well maybe not die, but you know...just vote.
2) Sneak into a club. There is nothing more heart-pounding than strolling past a security guard, knowing that your 20-year-old self is exactly where you should not be. It is nerve-racking and stressful and terrifying at times. But if you don't do it at least once before you turn 21, you'll always wonder how it would have felt.
3) Leave Arkansas. Travel is not solely for the rich; hop on a Greyhound and visit your neighboring states. See Texas and all its cowboy glory or risk a few bucks at a casino in Tunica, Miss. If you do happen to be rolling in the dough, though, go all out and take a cruise to the Mediterranean. If you happen to have an extra ticket, I make a wonderful travel companion.
4) Graduate high school or get your G.E.D. In today's competitive job market, not having a high school diploma or its equivalent is like going to a job interview naked. No doors will be open to you except for the doors of fast food chains and 24-hour diners. And no, there is nothing wrong with working at Taco Bell (my favorite), but you should still have a diploma. Do it for yourself.
5) Go on a date. My friend didn't have her first boyfriend until she was 20. But she went on a date at age 17. Just because you have a cup of coffee with someone, it doesn't mean that they are now with you 'til death do you part. Dates should be fun, relaxed, all about getting to know each other and they should definitely be done before 21.
6) Find your favorite beer. When you do become legal, you will go out to the bars and celebrate and most likely wake up the next day hungover. But at least it will be because you drank too much of your favorite brewski. By 21, you should have at least tried a few sips of different beers and figured out what your sensitive palate enjoys. That way, come your birthday, you are raring to go and can legally down that Heineken.
1) Vote. Although my loyalties lie with one specific party, I would rather a citizen vote for the opposite party than not vote at all. To think of all the women and minorities in the world who can't vote, it would be a disgrace to throw this amazing privilege away. So like Diddy and every other celebrity said, "Vote or die"...well maybe not die, but you know...just vote.
2) Sneak into a club. There is nothing more heart-pounding than strolling past a security guard, knowing that your 20-year-old self is exactly where you should not be. It is nerve-racking and stressful and terrifying at times. But if you don't do it at least once before you turn 21, you'll always wonder how it would have felt.
3) Leave Arkansas. Travel is not solely for the rich; hop on a Greyhound and visit your neighboring states. See Texas and all its cowboy glory or risk a few bucks at a casino in Tunica, Miss. If you do happen to be rolling in the dough, though, go all out and take a cruise to the Mediterranean. If you happen to have an extra ticket, I make a wonderful travel companion.
4) Graduate high school or get your G.E.D. In today's competitive job market, not having a high school diploma or its equivalent is like going to a job interview naked. No doors will be open to you except for the doors of fast food chains and 24-hour diners. And no, there is nothing wrong with working at Taco Bell (my favorite), but you should still have a diploma. Do it for yourself.
5) Go on a date. My friend didn't have her first boyfriend until she was 20. But she went on a date at age 17. Just because you have a cup of coffee with someone, it doesn't mean that they are now with you 'til death do you part. Dates should be fun, relaxed, all about getting to know each other and they should definitely be done before 21.
6) Find your favorite beer. When you do become legal, you will go out to the bars and celebrate and most likely wake up the next day hungover. But at least it will be because you drank too much of your favorite brewski. By 21, you should have at least tried a few sips of different beers and figured out what your sensitive palate enjoys. That way, come your birthday, you are raring to go and can legally down that Heineken.
