Seventeen, nothing wrong with the number, but the age is bullshit. There really is nothing to gain, other than a burning hatred for this segment of your life. People who have been through this understand what I'm talking about. If you haven't had this misfortune yet here's four reasons why that year will be infuriating.
One: Most of the jobs are a year away
If you're seventeen you probably want a job for one of two reasons
1) You either just want your own money so that you can finally get that iPhone or whatever you've been wanting lately
Or
2) You're that desperate teenager who has no idea how they're going to pay for school next year, and figures a shitty job is the best way to attempt to save a bit up
Now I understand that in many states you can start working at sixteen. But pretty much any place short of a shitty summer job requires that you either have graduated, or be eighteen. And if I promise you that you will find an awesome(ISH) job listing, one that sounds like you wont forever hate yourself if you apply, only to find that for no apparent reason it requires one of the two factors that you are still a year away from being able to claim.
Two: You're an adult, but with none of the perks
When you turn seventeen you gain no rights, no privileges.(R-rated movies don't count) But, any and all adults around you expect to act like one of them. Even though you have no real reason to want to be an adult yet, you seem to have to. Something about adulthood being one whole year away makes adults panic. When really, we are still stupid immature highschoolers, leave us our moments of complete immaturity. Those are what make life bearable for the oppressed minors out there.
Three: Stress, stress, and more stress
Senior year, last year to salvage that shitty GPA you have found yourself with. It seems like everyone you know is nagging you about it, how this has to be a perfect year or you are totally screwed. Yeah its pretty bad, but those of you who haven't hit this horrible year yet may be thinking, "At least there's graduation to look forward to, right?" and yes, there is. But between starting the year and graduating there is just another thing waiting to jump out and stress you out. College is next year, finally getting classes you actually want and getting that career you've been dreaming about. But before that you have to go through all the drama of applying for schools, also known as figuring out which places are willing to tolerate your stupid ass. And while your figuring out which schools will take you there is also figuring out how much money people will be dumb enough to give you, applying for scholarships and grants is even more infuriating and stressful than applying for schools. This is due to the fact that your parents never saved a dime for your education, so knowing your luck you will find a school that wants you, that you cant pay for. Seventeen is simply the best year to freak out perpetually because you are trying to prepare to attempt to avoid the real world for a few more years.
Four: That desire for independence
Seems like pretty much every teenager wants to have their own place, and be independent. And at this point its so close, and yet completely impossible. You cant legally get your own apartment you really don't have a chance at decent employment. Oh and there's also the fact that even if you found a roommate who can get the place, and found a job that pays enough for you to get food and your share of the bills, your parents can still tell you you cant move out. You can be as prepared as you want, but they can still force you to stay with them. Yes there is emancipation, but its not exactly free, and it doesn't always get approved. Sadly unless you have those parents that will pretty much let you do whatever you want you're probably just going to have to suck it up.
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