As many high school seniors turn 18, their lives change immensely, or so they think. Turning 18 means that the person is legally an adult which comes with new opportunities and responsibilities. Although, have they really started adulthood?

“I do [feel more like an adult], just because, even mentally being able to go and do stuff that, even when you’re 17, you can’t do, just feels like you’re an adult even when you’re still in the same high school,” Hailey Bergmann, 12, said. 

Becoming an adult means growing up and changing whether that’s getting used to going to a doctor’s appointment on your own or moving out and being completely independent. But in day-to-day life, not much changes when you turn 18.

“[Being 18] is almost the same as being 17. I mean, I can buy a lottery ticket now. Besides that, I can get a tattoo which I’m going to do. So that’s what changes really,” Maxwell Hanna, 12, said. “You get a lot more freedom, but other than that, life just still goes on.”

Many people, especially of varying ages, have different perspectives on what being an adult means. 

“I think [adulthood means] being independent, not necessarily living on your own, but making your own choices and being responsible for your own actions…you’re basically in charge of yourself,” Kerri Rodden, English teacher, said. “I think you can be considered an adult [as soon as you turn 18], but I don’t think you have the knowledge to really embrace being an adult yet. You kind of learn by making mistakes and observing others, and you learn by experiencing.”

Often, there is a mindset switch when someone turns 18, and it is important to navigate that shift. 

“[Being 18] is weird because you’re still doing the same things, still in the same high school, but you’re an adult now, so it’s like a mindset shift…It’s just weird, I guess,” Bergmann said. “I do definitely feel like I should be treated as an adult just because I am an adult.”

One of the main points of high school is to ensure students are well prepared for their next step in life or for adulthood. 

“I think it is important when you are a senior in high school to start doing more and more on your own with the help and guidance of others,” Rodden said. “Learning how to handle money, time management, and balancing grades [and] your job [are all important throughout high school].”

Overall, it’s important for each person to learn what being an adult means in order to successfully become the best version of themselves after high school. Whether someone thinks they are a whole adult when they are 18 or they think they are nowhere near that point, it’s good to work toward the goal of continuing to learn and grow.

“I don’t think 18 is a magic number; it’s just about taking responsibility to be successful individually without the help of others,” Rodden said.