For many, turning 18 is the turn of a new leaf. It defines the jump to adulthood and legality but for others, things tend to not change in the drastic way they thought it would. The GH Falcon has compiled a list of things that 18-year-olds can do that were previously unthought of.
Get an adult driver’s license
Although so many teenagers ache to get their license at 16, waiting until 18 has its perks. The most popular perk is the fact that you don’t need to have a permit or permit hours in order to be eligible for a test. Additionally, after-nine’s don’t apply to you as once you turn 18, you magically develop night vision.
Sign your own permission slip
Gone are the days when asking for permission to go on a class trip is required. Yes, of course, it is best that you tell your parents where you are going and when, but as far as signatures go you can handle that on your own now. Some forms still require parent signatures so be sure to read the fine print.
Get a Powerball ticket
Otherwise known as a “scratcher”, getting a Powerball ticket is the ultimate rite of passage. If you’re 18 and haven’t gotten a Powerball ticket yet, check your birth certificate because you might still be a minor. All jokes aside, get a “scratcher” and you just might win something!
Write your own will
Nobody wants to think about dying but it’s bound to happen one day and you want to be prepared when it does. At the age of 18, you are legally allowed to start your will. Is it required? No, but it sure would be interesting to take a look at. So look at your assets, if you should have any, and see what you want to leave to your favorite family member and what you don’t want to leave to your least favorite.
Open a bank account
The first thing you should do as an 18-year-old is open your own bank account. Before 18, all the money you’ve earned, been gifted, or even collected has been going into your parent’s bank account or maybe a separate account that has special limitations. Sure maybe the account is under your name but legally, it belongs to your parent or guardian. Now that you’re 18, you don’t need them holding your money anymore. Go take a trip to your local bank and open up that bank account. Don’t worry, they still give you a lollipop after.
Meet up with an old friend
While turning 18 is a joyous occasion, it can also be a bit emotional. So much is changing in such a short amount of time that often, it feels like everything is moving too fast to keep up with. In between the commotion, take a second to step bac and reflect on everything and everyone that has helped you get to this point. As you grieve your childhood, look back fondly on the good times with an old friend who was there with you. Whether you need to contact them via a viral Tweet or just find their number in your contacts, it’s always bittersweet reminiscing on the same childhood memories through different eyes.
Vote
You’ve heard it before, you probably already registered, and now you can finally take action! Another reason 18 is such a big age is because you can now legally vote for who you want to lead your community, state, and country. It’s also the year you can go to adult prison but that doesn’t have to happen if you choose the right candidate.
Get a piercing/tattoo
Try to be really careful with this one because tattoos are permanent and piercings applied incorrectly could lead to some unwanted infection in some unwanted places. However, 18 is a time when you can finally express yourself for the first time without the iron fist of your parents. So get the tattoo you’ve wanted since you were 13 or get the one you saw and liked a week ago. Go crazy or don’t at all, the great thing about 18 is that it’s all your choice.
Sue someone!
Is this practical? Probably not, but it still could be a fun little side project. First, think about any place you feel scammed you. Maybe it was a rigged machine at a bowling alley arcade or a bug in your soup, either way, you could take someone to court if you truly desired.
Change your legal birth name
Hate your name? Wish you could change it? Well, now you can! Of course, this is another action you should probably take with caution. For some, a name is a means of identity and for others, it’s just the thing Chick-fil-A calls when their order is ready. Either way, it’s an important part of someone’s life and for that reason, it doesn’t hurt to pick one you like.
Turning into an adult can be intimidating but it also opens up a new world of possibilities. Grieve the nostalgia from your childhood but also, enjoy everything adulthood has to offer.
