So, you just turned 20, which is sort of a big deal! It is the start of a brand new decade, you can turn over a new leaf, leave your teenage years behind and begin to reinvent yourself. Your twenties are likely to be the best years of your life. The key word in that sentence being twenties. Everything exciting and new that happens never occurs when you are only 20. For example, graduating college, buying a house, landing a full time job, or even getting married. Most of these exciting events never occur when you are 20. But the reason everyone shames on the celebration of being 20 is because you can't legally order a martini for another year. Turning 20 may be a big deal, but turning 21 can open up a whole new world to you. What happens when the excitement of 20 fades and the anticipation of 21 nears? It will change your opinion of being 20 forever.
1) You Aren't A Teenager Anymore.
This may have it's benefits, but when you are 20 it definitely has it's downsides. When you are 20 you are be expected to start getting your life together, when just two seconds ago you had to raise your hand for permission to use the bathroom. Changes in your major, internship applications and praxis exams are just a few of the life decisions that are needed to start preparing for the future.
2) Beat The Clock or Power Hour.
Living in New Jersey, or even New York, everyone knows what beat the clock means. At Bar Anticipation, every Tuesday is beat the clock night. The drafts start at only 50 cents at 8 p.m. and increase 25 cents every hour. This means every Tuesday night you know where your friends will be. You can also find your friends at the local bar participating in power hour; wherever cheap drinks are, that is where your friends will be. So expect to make other plans or find a new group of friends to hang out with on those Tuesday nights.
3) Happy Hour.
A period of the day when drinks are sold at reduced prices in a bar or restaurant. Happy hour typically occurs in the middle of the afternoon, so expect those afternoon lunch dates to include your friend's Bahama Mama, Sangria, or Mojito while you sit there sipping on your lemon water.
4) Fake ID.
When you first started college you've had the idea of getting a fake ID cross your mind a few times, but you never actually went through with it. I bet you are definitely regretting that decision now. Being 20, you are so close to 21 it wouldn't even be worth it to buy a fake ID now. So you wait impatiently, counting down the days until you can have an authentic horizontal ID with your name, picture and information on it.
5) The Constant Reminder.
You will always have that one friend who always wants to go to the bar. They also always forget that not everyone is 21. They are so excited that everyone is together and say, "OMG, let's all go to the Tiki bar tonight", and then when you give them that "I really hate you stare," they instantly remember that you're not of age. Thanks for the reminder because I didn't realize before I was the only 20 year old in a group of 21 and older.
