It is a universal truth that aging is inevitable. However, instead of trying to prevent an upcoming birthday because it reminds you that you're one step closer to graduation, take a moment and reflect on how far you have come since you began to tackle this whole "adult" thing.

Despite the stone cold fact that many of the best parts of maturation are accompanied by some of the worst adult responsibilities imaginable, like paying your own bills or scheduling your own doctor’s appointments, there still exists many lot less tedious and much more rewarding aspects of you personal evolution. These are just a few...

1. You suddenly cannot recognize your own parents.

Through the hazy light of adulthood you begin to see that your parents have somehow become not as nagging and mortifying as you had once thought. In fact, they are actually a lot cooler than you.

2. Upon interacting with more people you begin to gain interpersonal skills that will help you in the long run.

You do not know when it happened, but there you are successfully making small talk, not making the other person feel uncomfortable, and reacting to their painfully ignorant comments in a very mature way. Who are you?

3. You realize you actually can do whatever you set your mind to.

You realize you want to travel to Europe next summer, so you do it. You realize you want to live in Portland and hang out with free-range and free-thinking chickens, so you do it. All of a sudden wishful thinking becomes reality because you are now legally an adult, not too shabby.

4. You find your voice, no matter if it's the complete opposite of your parents'.

It all comes down to Leslie Knope or Bobby Newport for POTUS. Your family members have been relentlessly trying to swing your vote all summer, but you refuse to vote for a corrupt multimillionaire that knows nothing about politics or doing what is right for average citizens. You're with her.

5. You find yourself paying for your own toothpaste at the grocery store... and now it's all over.

You have now opened up a door that can never be closed. You have bought items that help sustain your life and well being like a real functioning adult who does not need his/her parents. Mark this day, because it is all downhill from here.

6. (Hopefully) you begin to choose the right partners.

It is the end of an era. You no longer go for the cute bartender or the man dressed as a giant sandwich on Court Street... unless he is irregularly cute, of course.

7. You realize friendships are like investments.

As you grow older and graduate, it is going to become increasingly difficult to keep in touch with old friends and remain close. However, it is imperative you do, because there is nothing more important or difficult to find than good friends.

8. You discover what you're passionate about.

Whether it be writing erotic friend fiction to read over you school intercom system or volunteering at the local soup kitchen, good for you. You have found what you are passionate about and what makes you happy and fulfilled.

9. You're living alone and you are finally free.

As a young adult in college, you may be way too comfortable with going to class looking like a homeless cat, but you have nothing to blame but your new found infallible self-esteem.

11. You have, or may still be working at, that soul-sucking minimum wage job and although you contemplate ending it three times a day, it is good for you.

Getting paid $7.50 an hour for the hell-on-earth that is working in the mall food court may seem like the worst possible thing in this world, and it probably is. In the long run, you will thank your fast-food job for exemplifying how imperative a great education is in order to ensure you will never be back to put that apron on again.

12. You learn to accept everything and release old grudges so that you can grow into whoever you want to be.

The very best part of getting older and more mature is realizing that holding onto grudges and lingering anger from the past is toxic to an individual. In the end, the only person getting hurt from your resentment is you. Letting go is your new best friend, and all the time and energy spent dwelling on anger can be transformed into something healthier... like happy hour!