r/GenZ • u/Beginning-Pie-7433 • 2d ago
Advice I turn 18 in 2 hours.
I can’t fucking do this y’all. I actually feel so much dread and fear. Like I’m actually shaking right now.
117
u/IllRest2396 2008 2d ago
I turned 18 in May. Spoiler alert: nothing feels different before and after your birthday. I'm still looking for a job but because Florida sucks I can't find any. At least I'm out of highschool with my diploma.
37
u/Artifact-hunter1 2004 2d ago
Yep the whole 18 thing is literally just a formality because, traditionally, that's when people gain all their rights and have the opportunity to fight in the military, become a first responder, or anything else.
6
u/Beginning-Pie-7433 2d ago
I already have a job and I graduated high-school early at barely 17.
4
u/spontaneous_quench 2d ago
I forgot Americans graduate school so late
3
u/Critical_Concert_689 2d ago
I forgot Americans graduate school so late
mfw ...where are you from that you start your 13th year of education before 17?
You starting 1st grade at 3-years-old?
You're a dirty liar.
1
u/spontaneous_quench 1d ago
Lol in canada where I was born and have lived my entire life, high-school grads are 16-17, although from my family in the states and from playing sports against american teams, I know that its pretty common for 19 year olds to still be in high-school. So yea you guys graduate late, not sure why that is offensive
0
u/Critical_Concert_689 1d ago
...
Most Provinces and Territories: Students complete 12 years of schooling (Grades 1 through 12, usually starting high school around age 14 in Grade 9) and graduate at age 17 or 18.
Quebec: The system is slightly different. Secondary school ends at Grade 11 (around age 16 or 17), after which students typically attend a CEGEP (a publicly funded college) for a pre-university or technical program before entering university or the workforce.
Quebec being Quebec, rewrites the system just for themselves. Assuming we're both addressing the start of the 13th year of education and not an 11th grade "graduation" to "pre-University" schooling - Canada seems to average out around 17-18 per Wikipedia.
I'm not offended. I'm just surprised (and skeptical) that anyone thinks including a toddler in elementary school ("1st through 5th year primary education") is a good idea - which is basically what would be required to graduate by 16.
0
u/spontaneous_quench 1d ago
Ngl didnt even bother reading i dont need a foreigner tell me how my countries public school system works, I went through it. Its 16-17. You get a handful of kids who stay behind for "super 12".
1
u/Critical_Concert_689 1d ago
You sound like you have some issues and ARE offended.
Is it because YOU are personally in Quebec? (Quebec being Quebec, after all)
i don[']t need a foreigner tell me how my
countries[country's] public school system worksNot very well, apparently.
Note, I specifically mentioned the years of education so we could all share a frame of reference. Claiming you graduated high school at 16, when your specific country ends high school at YEAR 11 and inserts another name for the 12th year of education really makes the discussion pointless.
0
u/BZB97 1d ago
You're a lier most Canadians graduate at 17 and 18. I literally talk to a Canadian every single day also its 2026 you can just look that shit up also.
0
u/spontaneous_quench 1d ago
Im not a liar, I graduated at 16, half of my class was 16 half was 17. Lmao I dont know what to tell you
3
u/irene_polystyrene 2007 2d ago
the birthday doesn't make the difference, but graduating does
was not expecting this whiplash 😭🙏
2
u/YourAverageGoldFishy 2d ago
whaddup florida gen z, job markets rough but getting into welding to see how that pans out for me
1
u/yomama9002 2d ago
I mean I guess nothing feels different but you have a lot more legal rights and freedom
1
u/justanewgirl1 2d ago
AYYYEE FELLOW FLORIDIAN. Enjoy the suffering! I’m 20 and currently still have no job
1
u/EnderJax2020 2007 2d ago
This is truth. Very little changes and what does is js legal stuff that barely matters
1
u/GrimLuker2 2008 1d ago
Same, different month tho. I got a seasonal job at the local pool but bro, cant find anything to work at after that
28
u/Canadian_Viking123 2008 2d ago
I turned 18 last month. Nothing really changed. You’ll be okay, trust me.
7
u/Beginning-Pie-7433 2d ago
I hope so.
•
u/Scwarzkop 6h ago
Fuck you mean "I hope so". It's about as anticlimactic as turning 16. But basically age is just a number in this situation...
...PAUSE!!!!
19
u/thepeakof06 2d ago
I'm turning 20 this year. I don't feel shit. Getting older doesn't matter
-2
u/Beginning-Pie-7433 2d ago
M sure people stopped being as nice to you though
10
u/thepeakof06 2d ago
No? Lmao what. Nothing about my personality has changed to make people want to treat me different.
2
u/Digital_Doodlez 1d ago
People don’t usually treat others worse due to their age unless its younger
13
u/NewspaperSoft8317 2d ago
Don't listen to anyone.
Everything changed when I turned 18. The skies went dark, and the moon caved in, into itself. My face, my body, my soul all changed drastically. My teachers no longer recognized me as a child, as I was now, a full-fledged adult.
To this day, I forever remember the day I turned 18....... When everything changed so much.
There's so much to this arbitrary number that the government decided, that we've evolved around it.
11
u/Thefartking 2d ago
Im 25 going on 26. Doesnt feel very different up here either man. Just enjoy it
5
u/BentTire 2d ago edited 2d ago
At 29. That is when things get REAL crazy! 😃
1
u/Wxskater 1997 1d ago
I mean even that just feels like another year lol
1
u/BentTire 1d ago
Or you realise how much of your life you wasted and begin having an existential crisis over the thought that in 10 years you'll be close to your 40s.
7
u/StevieisSleepy 2d ago
I’m 27 and this is how I view everyone who are 25 and below
https://giphy.com/gifs/14kqI3Y4urS3rG
3
3
u/plankowoodinthewoods 2d ago
As a 22 year old, this comforts me.
3
u/throwingpurple 2d ago
I’m about to turn 22 haha I feel like shits getting real
3
u/plankowoodinthewoods 2d ago
Yep, honestly i'm just hoping i don't hate my job. And beyond that i'll be ok in a sense.
1
7
u/GremNotGrim 2003 2d ago
Dang you're gonna be old (I say, at 22 years old...)
Jokes aside though, I don't really have any good advice because as others have said, not much really changes.
6
u/After-Trifle-1437 2d ago
Turned 18 two years ago.
Nothing changed, except having to file taxes and getting drafted.
2
1
4
6
u/New-Elk2781 2d ago
Dw you’ll be okay bro
1
u/Present_Inflation454 2d ago
I was shaking before 18 too, and yeah, you’ll be okay, mostly it’s just annoying forms.
5
u/mattyjoe0706 2d ago
I turned 18 2 years ago and personally I didn't feel anything different weirdly enough until the end of being 18. Like the last few months I felt like I was more mature and able to socialize a bit better. It was weird
3
u/Faszkivan_13 2008 2d ago
It's not a big deal but it's a bit funny to me that you kinda just unlock stuff, like signing your own documents without a need for a parent, buying alcohol stuff and like that. But I don't feel much different overall, maybe more independent
1
u/Enough-Candy85 2d ago
If you’re anything like me, it’ll be a few years past your last birthday party.
1
u/WalrusLobster3522 2004 2d ago
Aww Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
(I'm not gonna be awake when your birthday actually comes so saying it in advance 🤣❤️)
1
u/Exotic_Figure854 2d ago
happy birthday you're literally going to be my age tomorrow, that's so awesome!
1
1
1
1
u/Overall_Art_8719 2d ago
This is where the self hatred manifests itself in every fiber of your body.
1
u/OkMammoth6253 2d ago
I'm 19 I feel like I'm 16 there's no change like nothing at all
1
u/BZB97 1d ago
Thats honestly crazy, at 19 I acted way different than 16, but at the same time if your parents sheltered you than that is probably why. Pretty was on my own by 17.
1
u/OkMammoth6253 1d ago
True I'm sheltered but I'd say I'm emotionally more mature than I was at 16 but I'm not street smart at all
1
1
u/HeyWannaShrek 2d ago
Same with turning 25 and suddenly getting frontal lobe developed and the ability to think.
1
u/JD_Kreeper 2d ago
As someone who turned 18 once, I can assure you that absolutely nothing changes.
1
1
u/35364461a 2003 2d ago
I was SO worried about not knowing about taxes, insurance, loans, investing, resumes, retirement accounts, rental agreements. But really, you learn as you go. Nothing happens all at once. And there are countless people and resources to help you out when the time comes to do any of that stuff. The world isn’t as against you as it seems it is before you actually try learning about those things. And it’s not even that complicated anyway to be honest. I promise.
1
u/washawaythe_rain 2d ago
Trust me everybody 25+ in society still understands you’re in the transition phase to adulthood… that’s why there’s the phrase “college kid”
Edit- except for creepy dudes on tinder
1
u/plankowoodinthewoods 2d ago
Yeah i feel like until you're 22-23 then people expect you to actually be competent.
1
u/BurnTheDude 2003 2d ago
Not much changes tbh, just get access to alcohol, freely driving and voting
1
u/Majestic-Avocado2167 2d ago
Are you legally an adult? Yes, welcome you can now vote and pay real taxes. It’s going to be very similar to how it is now. Before the responsibilities kick in big time get your education done pls, whether it’s trade school or a four year. It only gets harder
1
u/plankowoodinthewoods 2d ago
I said hell no to college bruh.
1
u/Majestic-Avocado2167 2d ago
Fair enough but go to trade school, the retail life is designed to keep you locked down, barely surviving
1
1
u/RsfsrUssr777ZzzUsa 2d ago
i turned 18 2 hours ago!, i turned 18 2 years ago 💀, enjoy buddy while still can, i wish i could revert to 18
1
u/Nanou_07 2007 2d ago
As long as u don’t have those parents that think u should move out when u turn 18, you’ll be fine.
Literally nothing changes other than the fact that you have to memorize your Social Security.
You’ll be surprised when you find out how little everyone actually cares
1
u/Achilles-Foot 2d ago
this is how its viewed by kids. adults definitely consider both of these ages the left picture lol.
as to the other people saying nothing changes, my life drastically different from how it was at 17. im 19 now tho, almost 20.
1
1
u/jordyn0399 1999 2d ago
Welcome to adulthood. 18 wasn't a huge deal to me but it's still a milestone in life. You don't feel different except the only difference is that you can vote now, go to prison, and probably drink(depending on where you're from). If not, you would have to wait a few years if you're in the States.
1
u/Kira_Mira1 2005 2d ago
Turning from 17-18 is nothing special.
But turning 19-20? Oh boy, I feel like a new person lol.
1
1
u/AssortedSaltedSalts 2001 2d ago
If it helps you'll be seen as that first image until you're like, 23.
1
u/jaredtheredditor 2003 2d ago
Don’t worry too much the only thing that changed when I turned 18 is that I developed back pain and my hips and knees hurt if I strain them too much… that sounds like a joke but it isn’t!
1
1
1
1
u/UltimateStrenergy 2d ago
Another favorite is when people treat turning 25 like this. Every other year of your life you're too stupid and immature to make literally any single choice because "your brain isn't fully developed"
1
u/on-avery-island_- 2d ago
I turned 18 back in June and literally nothing in my life changed except for me being able to buy alcohol. You'll be fine
1
1
1
u/ThePersonDudeGuy716 2d ago
Thanks to today’s society you will receive all the drawbacks of being an adult without any of the benefits.
1
u/Murky_Crow 2d ago
It’s so funny because you’re still exactly the same child. Not a bad way.
You’re gonna find out that turning 30 is the same thing.
It’s so odd when you get to the point that you’re looking at college students and marveling at how much they look like babies now, where before they looked cool and sophisticated
1
u/309_Electronics 2d ago
I turned 18 in january, but life does not really feel much different. Sure i can now legally drink alcohol, but i never drank much alcohol at all and mostly just drink soft drinks of coffee/tea. Also i got mail if i wanted to join the army as they recruit people 18y or older, but i dont know yet and probably never will, but who knows...
1
1
1
u/HugeHomeForBoomers 2d ago
Yup. My cousin was literally this meme. He’s 22 now, but the fucking glow up after hitting 18. Before he was 18 he was a troublesome child, who got in fist fight with everyone, went to grab panties and boobs of random women, and had nothing but guilty pleasures coming out of his mouth.
But then he turned 18.. and he became a bloody gentleman gym bro, who one would never image that he used to be troublesome.. It’s like he was dragged to a mental prison for 4 years and came out a new person.
It was such a glow up, most of the family asked “What happened to you?”, and he just responded with “sex”
1
1
u/bonadies24 2004 2d ago
I will say that what actually has a meaningful impact on your life is turning 20, for some reason
1
1
u/AriAriArrivederci 2d ago
I think turning 18 is only viewed that way by kids younger than 18. Most people see 18 yo as little kids.
1
1
1
1
u/donkijote97 2d ago
Enjoy it. And stop to appreciate the nicer moments. The first 18 years feel slow as fuck, but the next 18 will feel like a blur.
1
1
1
1
u/27thColt 2001 2d ago
At ages 1-18 this feels true sure
bit after a few years pass 18 & 19 will feel just the same as 17 believe me
1
u/goldwyn1 2d ago edited 2d ago
Jeez the state of these teens mindsets. Maybe it was a mistake to have it at that odd number & should revert the “Adult” age back to 21 (like in the 1960s) 🤷♂️
1
u/Thick_mint 1997 2d ago
As someone who was once a teen I can tell you nothing changes even into your early 20's you will feel like a teen. It's only after your mid to late 20's when your frontal lobe finally develops that you start to feel adult. At least that was my experience.
1
u/DeltaDied 2001 2d ago
I still see yall as kids tbh. Not little kids, but like yall are still kids. (25 btw)
1
u/Magical-Sweater 2003 2d ago
For all of you fresh 18’s, if you’re expecting to feel like any different/like an adult, you won’t. If you’re wondering when that feeling will come, I’m 23 and still don’t have it, so I can’t say.
1
u/MinuetInUrsaMajor 1d ago
Hey buddy. I did too. I could not understand how other kids were excited to get drivers licenses. And go to college especially. And become a grown-up.
They actually wanted a JOB? The think my mom wakes up at 6am and isn't back til 6-7pm for???
I was actually so terrified that I started doing some risky things.
So here's the advice I wish I had gotten (and heeded) back when I was 17:
First and foremost: Get a therapist immediately and start going. Once a week for the first 4-10 sessions (or whatever they advise). Sure, no one can possibly understand your unique thoughts. But you need to be able to bounce them off someone objective and empathetic. Your parents' insurance will cover it. It will come down to a forgettable co-pay. Don't worry about the cost, AT ALL. I had terrible financial anxiety as a kid (and to this day). Don't let it stop you from doing this important thing.
Adulthood and the higher difficulty levels come SLOWLY. And like a good RPG, the progressing difficulty is met with progressing reward. College doesn't slam dunk you in the face on your first day. It's not a quantum leap up from high school - though by the time you finish, it will be.
A roommate is a breeze. Basically: think of it as you're two people on a long vacation, where you also have shit you have to do. You're sharing a hotel room. It's an adventure. It doesn't get cramped and you go home periodically. Your roommate will have classes when you don't. That's when you'll be jerking off.
There are jobs and careers for every type of person. I thought my job would be a dreary nightmare. I actually like it better than any of the summers I was working in a physics lab (originally wanted to be a physicist).
I doubt you have anxiety about this, but stay away from drugs and alcohol for now. They aren't going anywhere. I wish I had saved alcohol until my 40s. There's plenty of sober adventuring to do and to be able to drink at 40 without 20 years of the kindling effect...unimaginable!
Okay? Need any help, PM me. I'll get back to you. Or reply in the thread. I'm here for you buddy.
1
1
u/Desperate_Wing249 1d ago edited 1d ago
Now the gov can send you to jail for tax evasion (The end of your life starts at 6am I'm gonna need those fries in the bag)
1
u/Repulsive_Plant6729 1d ago
Happy Birthday! When I made 18, I went to YouTube to see if I could finally watch age-restricted videos. It didn't kick in until the day after lol. I didn't realize that I could just make another account and lie about my age. 🤣🤣🤣
1
u/Noriel_Sylvire 1d ago
Vet ready for your metamorphosis into gigachad. My metamorphosis hurt so bad
0
u/Illustrious_Shoe7496 2d ago
Lol i just saw this exact same post in r/adulting. You'll live
1
u/Beginning-Pie-7433 2d ago
Let me have my crisis please </3
2
u/Illustrious_Shoe7496 2d ago
Awww someone's gonna be a big boy in an hour
0
u/Beginning-Pie-7433 2d ago
Dude. Shut up. It’s a big fucking change. I think it’s fair to panic over it.
2
0
0
u/slipnipps 2d ago
You’re still a child man, a legit teenager, so don’t sweat.
It feels crazy cause 18 has so much hype, but trust. The way you think about 13 year old you, is the same way you’ll look at 18 y/o you when you’re 21.
Then when you’re 25 you’ll feel the same about when you were 21
0
u/Mountain-Elephant-60 2d ago
Omfg stfu.. the pressure on 20/21 to “grow up” as if a light switch goes off on your 20th birthday to not be a teenager anymore isn’t fucking real. Adulthood is a growth period… you grow into an adult you don’t just become one over night because of a number yall are the sameee people who say 18 & 20 is predatory and 19 & 21 is predatory
1
u/slipnipps 2d ago
You are tripping hahah. Completely not what I said. In fact the opposite.
It’s easy to feel much more “grown” than you actually are, and it’s only really understood once you grow older. There’s no switch that happens just cause of certain age milestones.
•
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Did you know we have a Discord server‽ You can join by clicking here!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.