18 is the year of your life most fraught with expectations. Ticking over from your place as a scrawny teen into a fully-fledged adult is a pretty big deal, after all.

Our parents throw us a party, the government gives us permission to drink, and our high school kicks us out into the world — so many things happen, so we assume so much about our life will change. And while some things will, the following probably won’t.

#1 Your Parents Won’t Treat You Like An Adult

We assume that as soon as the law considers us an adult, our family will too. Unfortunately, they’ve seen too many of our tantrums and picked up too many plates from our bedroom to take us seriously just yet.

It’s frustrating, but they’ll eventually come around and start seeing you as their equal. For now, just take advantage of eating their food and living under their roof.

#2 You Won’t Know What To Do With Your Life

Odds are you’ll be well into your 20s before you figure out your real passions and interests. Even the things that excite you right now are going to shift and change over the next few years. Embrace that change and go with the flow. We bet you’ll find something you never even thought possible.

#3 You Won’t Be Any Smarter With Your Money

But that’s OK! You don’t need a huge chunk of savings at 18. As long as you’re not opening up a credit card and going into huge amounts of debt, you can use your part-time job to fuel a lifestyle of alcohol and KFC. You have our permission.

#4 You Won’t Be Able To Handle Your Alcohol Better

Just because you’re legally allowed to drink it, doesn’t mean that case of UDLs is gonna go down any easier. But it’s fine — you can go wild if you want to. Just keep an extra $15o stashed away for accidental Uber voms.

#5 You Won’t Feel More Confident

Getting comfortable in your own skin doesn’t come easy. Play around with your wardrobe, your hair, your sense of style, and try not to worry about what other people are thinking — that’ll get you there.

#6 You Won’t Be Able To Get Away With As Much Shit

Even though your parents don’t treat you like an adult, the rest of the world will. You have to do shit like book your own doctor’s appointments, cook your own meals, enrol for your classes, and buy all your toiletries. You have to fill out forms, apply for rental properties, and take responsibility for your day-to-day life.

No one’s looking out for you now, so it’s time for you to do it.

#7 You Won’t Lose Your Friends

You’ll go to uni and make more friends, while still being bothered to catch up with your high school buddies. Better yet, your casual work crew will be around to hang too. You have more money and more time than you’ve ever had before

Sure, you lose a few friends as you get older. But 18-20 years old are the years where you’re surrounded by the most people. Enjoy it.

#8 You Won’t Feel Any Different

Your 18th birthday will come and go, and you’ll feel like the same person as you always have. Feeling change within yourself does happen, but it takes a while for you to realise it.

For now, just take advantage of that legal ID card and have lots of fun.