Since we were little we’ve been dreaming about freedom. Moving out, getting tattoos and piercings, and being independent from our parents or guardians — 18 was the magic number that could make all our dreams come true.

It’s the age where anything is possible — the world is our oyster. But just because people are given this freedom and 18-year-olds are legally considered adults, does that mean someone is actually mature enough to handle all the responsibility? Absolutely not.

Whether someone is 13 or 30, they can be at the same maturity level. I’m sure most of us know that one person you avoid like the plague due to the fact that they don’t understand the basics of being an adult.

I’m not saying that being a kid at heart is wrong or that having dependence on your parents is a bad thing, but the addiction to drama and how someone treats others is what defines a person’s maturity.

Dealing with an immature adult is like dealing with an oversized two-year-old and we all know the phrase “terrible twos.” Ask any question and “no!” or “mine!” is the immediate response. The difference though is that they’re tiny humans trying to learn and some 20-something adults are still seemingly stuck in that stage.

The constant obliviousness of their actions is another thing that makes or breaks maturity. “Oh, I didn’t know that my actions are my fault, it’s obviously the other person who I have the problem with.” Not being able to take responsibility for the actions committed is a huge red flag. Acting like a child is a repellant to almost anyone who is looking forward to furthering and bettering themselves. These individuals tend to create drama just to have something to talk about to make them seem more interesting, when it really just makes them irresponsible.

We attract people with our behavior so if we act immaturely, those are the people in our friend groups. Acting in this manner isn’t attractive and isn’t necessary. We as college students need to grow up and act our own age. We need to embrace the struggles and be professionals.

And even though avoiding these people is almost impossible, the mature people have to be the ones to set an example of how to act like an adult and stop the childish behavior at the source so things don’t get out of hand.

I understand that everyone needs a little help throughout life and everyone deals with different things that ultimately shape them into who they’re supposed to be. I get that being a kid at heart is the best way to enjoy life and see the lighter side of this destructive world we live in. It’s about acting your age not your shoe size.