For many teenagers, turning 16 is a big milestone. Getting your driver’s license or getting your first job. The next Big milestone that comes is your 18th birthday. You are finally an adult in the eyes of the law and the world. The year in between however is boring to most, it is an awkward age wedged between two of the most exciting years in your teenage life.
At 17, you are too old for some things but still too young to do other activities. You feel like an adult but are not fully treated like one until your next birthday. You can drive, but you can’t rent a car. You can work, but you don’t qualify for many full-time jobs. You may feel ready for independence, but you still need permission for most things.
Society places a lot of emphasis on ages that come with significant milestones like having an extravagant sweet sixteen party, being a legal adult at 18, and having even more freedoms at 21. But 17? It doesn’t come with any major life-changing privileges. There’s no big rite of passage, making it feel forgettable in comparison.
Despite its reputation, some argue that 17 isn’t all that bad. It’s a time of self-discovery, friendships, and the last moments of childhood freedom before adulthood brings real-world responsibilities.
“Seventeen might not be full of big milestones, but it’s a time to enjoy the present,” says senior Claire Brown- Lincoln, “It’s the last full year before adulthood, and that can be valuable in itself.”
Still, for many, 17 remains a year of waiting—a quiet pause between the excitement of 16 and the freedom of 18. Whether it’s truly boring or just a slow build-up to bigger things, one thing is certain: for those counting down the days to their next birthday, 17 often feels like the longest year of all. So, most importantly, don’t be hard on yourself and enjoy it!
