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The summer before my junior year of high school was all about college tours. In the course of a week, my parents and I visited six schools in three different states. The college students I met on these tours seemed so mature and put together. And it made me realize, dang it, I’m not there yet.
I think when most adults look at me, I seem independent. I get good grades, I work a job after school, and I have my own business. But the truth is, I’m not an adult yet. And I don’t want to be.
I like that as a kid, I’m still allowed to call my parents when I need help. I like that I have more leeway to experience things and even fail. But adulthood — the stakes are higher. It’s not always okay to mess up. You pay your own bills. People look at you weird if you call your mom. It sounds lonely.
I understand my parents are trying to prepare me for college. But I have no desire to be something other than my age right now.