I get mistaken for a child on a regular basis, so I thought I’d gather up some of the benefits and downfalls of being a 24-year-old high schooler. Sit back, grab a sippy cup and enjoy.

Getting discounted student tickets. From the couple dollars it saves at the movie theater to the more dramatic discounts it affords at theme parks, museums, festivals, etc. It’s a money saver for sure.

Holding on to the hope that I will finally look 24 when I turn 40.

Spending my monies on nail polish instead of wrinkle cream (although I suppose prevention is key).

Not getting judgmental looks when I go straight to the “Young Adult Fiction” section at the book store.

Shopping in the juniors section of clothing stores without getting weird looks from strangers. Same goes for stores I probably should be growing out of, like AE & AF.

Babysitting 11 year olds who aren’t embarrassed to be seen with me. (The other day they said, “If anyone asks, you’re our older sister, okay?”)

Going to the grocery store in my PJs, rat’s nest hair and no makeup just to buy froyo and Redbox movies, and the real adults just thinking to themselves, “Kids these days.”

Making cops feel extra bad when they pull me over because I cry and remind them of their daughters.

Receiving fewer questions about my single, childless status.

Answering the door to solicitors and having them walk away when I tell them my parents aren’t home.

Receiving dirty looks from passerbys who think I’m a cast member of “Teen Mom” as I push the dude baby around in his stroller.

Being out on a date with an older guy who gets served right away while the bartender studies my i.d. suspiciously for five minutes before reluctantly accepting that he is not, in fact, babysitting me.

Being asked for my i.d. when buying anything from spray paint to super glue to tickets for rated R movies.

Having to answer quiz questions about said i.d. because everyone assumes it’s fake.

Getting hit on by high school boys. Seriously, one asked me the other day which school I go to, and a group of them wouldn’t leave me alone at Target.

Feeling the wrath of judgey high school girls who are the girlfriends of said high school boys. (I can practically hear them whispering, “She’s totally not even cute, I bet she has less than 1,000 Instagram followers”)

Getting hit on by much older men who I immediately assume are pedophiles.

Patronizing attitudes from peers who don’t realize they are my peers.

Hearing the OMG-YOU’RE-SO-OLD in the voices of the youngins who originally assumed I was their age.