8 Things I Want to Do as an 18-Year-Old

Ohmg! I’m turning 18 in 28 days! Or maybe I’m turning 8? I can’t even tell anymore XD. My mom would say I was born just yesterday. Don't listen to her. Or maybe do, because then that means I knew how to use a computer before I was even born.

This is also my last month of high school. My graduation would have been on my birthday, but I don’t know if that’s happening anymore. I wonder what I would have worn. And who would have been our valedictorian? It would be a dream to be the class speaker! I think if I’d been at this school a little longer, I would have had a chance to be the all-rounder student that becomes the valedictorian. But I have university for that. That’s one of my goals now.

Speaking of goals, I have a few things I want to accomplish this year, as an 18-year-old. Here’s my bucket list for June 25, 2020 - June 25, 2021.

1. Vote: I checked the elections schedules for Toronto, Ontario, and Canada and, unfortunately, there aren’t any happening this year or next. But that doesn’t mean I can’t vote at all. I’ll keep my eyes open for opportunities to vote in university. Maybe vote for the student council or something. As long as I use the privileges I have, to have my voice heard and have an opinion of my own, I’m fine with voting on anything. I want to feel like I had a part in a decision being made.

2. Learn how to drive: I’ve always wanted to drive but I’m afraid of learning how to. I’d probably press on the accelerator and then the brakes right away. My car would go bumping up the road. Also, I don’t know how I’d keep an eye on all of the mirrors without stopping to admire my reflection every time. Regardless, this year I want to get my G1 and by the time I turn 19, I want to be able to drive on the highway.

3. Enhance my French: I took French as a subject from Grade 4 to Grade 10 and then dabbled in a little bit of practicing with Duolingo, but I’ve never felt confident in what I know. Like, I can easily translate from French to English because we focused on vocabulary a lot in class, but I can’t form a sentence and say it to someone without overthinking it. I want to achieve a level of confidence in French that’ll allow me to speak to anyone from France without hesitation. I know that might not happen in just a year, but I want to take a trip to France before I turn 20 and I’ll work on my French until that happens.

4. Open a bank account: It’s a silly addition to this list but opening a bank account, for me, would mean I have a job and I have the capability to pay my credit card bills on time. I want to be responsible with my money and opening a bank account is just the shiny cover page of that plan. My dad’s an accountant and I can’t bear to disappoint him by recklessly spending money. So, hopefully, this year I’ll learn how to be financially independent and have a plastic card with my name on it XD.

5. Cook a complete meal for my family: I’ve been learning how to cook from my mom, and I want to try my hand at making a 3-course meal for my family, all by myself. That would include an appetizer, a main course accompanied by roti, and a dessert (I’d probably eat it all before the time to serve it came). Including me, there are 4 people in my family so this will be a challenge because I’ve never even made a meal just for myself. Well, I say challenge accepted.

6. Model: This one's a little different from most of the goals I've ever set on my blog but I want to model at least once. It doesn't have to be big or even paid. Maybe I'll befriend a photography student and they'll ask to take pictures of me for an assignment and then people will see professional photographs of me! I love getting my pictures taken (with my consent) so modelling for something other than my own Instagram page would be a lot of fun.

7. Order a drink at Starbucks: In my 18ish years of life, I haven't bought a drink from Starbucks once. It's more daunting to try than getting into university was. I think I'll research their drinks, come up with an order, blurt it out to the barista and walk out of there with a drink, never to come back to that location.

8. Have fun: Regardless of which of these goals I accomplish, I want to have so much fun with new experiences. I want new stories to tell people about myself. Stories that make me seem cool (sunglass emoji). This year will be a year of absolute fun and joy.

AHH! I’m going to be an adult!! I’ve got butterflies in my stomach; eep! I’m thrilled to see what my future holds from me. I can’t wait for all the new experiences I’ll get to have and all the new people I’ll get to meet. It’s gonna be great. Till next time, toodles – Aarushi