With the new year comes a fresh start...and a fresh batch of birthdays. And none-so are more important than the infamous 21st.

21 is a right of passage. It's the age that everyone eagerly waits for--the age of what feels like complete freedom. But once we're there, it's easy to feel stuck and unsure of what you want to do. That existential crisis comes knocking and most of us end up freaking out over it. That's where the experts come in. Below are 21 pieces of advice from people of all ages. For those below 21, listen up and take notes, because this is for you:

1. “On your 21st, wear something that says that it’s your birthday--a shirt, a sash, a tiara, anything really. You’ll get a lot of freebies.”

Free shirts, free shots, free mixed drinks...Free is always good.

2. “Take it easy the first night. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

3. “Have the mom friend present to make sure you have water and don’t lose your ID.”

Not to mention, they’re definitely going to be the ones taking care of you at the end of the night and making sure you get home safely. Don’t take your mom friend for granted.

4. “Get as drunk as possible and always call an Uber.”

5. "You aren't obligated to say yes every time someone asks you to go out, but you also don't have to hold yourself back from enjoying those times out."

Do what makes you happy--and if that means sitting on your couch in your PJs, watching movies with a bowl of popcorn instead of going out drinking with your friends, then do it!

6. “Lay some sweats out on your bed before you leave [for the bars]. Drunk you will thank you later.”

7. “Make yourself and your health a priority.”

8. “You don’t have to drink a crazy amount or blackout every time you go out to be able to have fun when alcohol is involved. Your safety is important!”

Spoken like my true nurse friend.

9. “Make sure your friends with you know your limits and your drunk tendencies.”

10. “Water, Tylenol, and a quality multivitamin.”

11. “Stay healthy because all those nights at the bar add up!”

Hit the gym regularly and keep a healthy diet (but also, don't be afraid to grab a slice or two of pizza on the drunk walk home from the bars)!

12. “Find the nearest liquor store.”

13. “If you’re going to bar hop, make sure you have a route you want to go on.”

14. “Go out with some folks with more bar experience. They’ll know when to cut you off, and help you avoid trouble, like bar fights and blowing your entire paycheck, more than a pack of 21 year old amateurs. Also, they already know all of the best places and deals.”

15. “Always keep an eye on your drink. Wolves can be in sheep’s clothing.”

I know this is the golden rule we’ve always heard, but it’s also the most important. Your safety is the most important thing.

16. “Don’t get too distracted. Now is the time you should be focusing on your goals. Don’t lose sight.”

17. “Don’t rush life. Yes, you are now an adult, but you don’t have to find a mate, get married, and start a family.”

If that’s what you decide to do and what you think is best for your life, then absolutely do it! But don’t rush anything you’re not ready for. Live your best life!

18. “Get your life together. [Get] your finances in order, your job goals, and finish school. Then have your fun. You find out who your real friends are in the process.”

19. “Don’t go ham on drinking.”

20. “Save your money; it goes fast.”

One thing that almost every 21 year old can relate to is being broke, so don’t go too crazy going out all the time and buying rounds for everyone. And be sure to look for specials and happy hours if you do go out!

21. “Put yourself first. This is your time to be a little selfish.”

This doesn’t mean being a jerk to people or not thinking of others at all; but do what’s best for yourself and--as hard as it may be--don’t put others needs before your own.

Even now, at 22, I still feel like I’m doing something bad and illegal when I go out drinking. It’s like I expect the bouncer to check my ID and then throw it into the trash because I couldn’t possibly be an adult. It’s funny how different adulthood is than what you pictured it to be when you were younger. Adulthood doesn’t so much feel like adulthood as much as a bunch of big kids running around trying to play out being an adult. Growing up is intimidating--there’s no denying that--but being an adult doesn’t have to be so scary. And no matter what you need, whether it be a little advice on your actual 21st birthday or on simply being 21, this guide’s always here to make that time a little less stressful.