Birthdays only come once a year, and thankfully, 21st birthdays only come once in a lifetime. Quite frankly, not many people would survive more than one 21st birthday celebration.

“It hurt so bad, but I just kept on drinking,” said Thomas Johnson, senior in marketing.

So in honor of this coming-of-age tradition, FYI decided to investigate and see what outrageous stories students had from their 21st birthdays.

The good

Along with a group of friends, Kate Fickbohm, senior in marketing, went out on Welch Avenue to celebrate her 21st birthday.

After bar close, the crew took to the streets to find that it had started raining. What better way to end the night than a nice frolic in the rain on the way home?

Minutes later a police car pulled up alongside the group to assess the situation. In an attempt to avoid a trip to the cop shop, the bubbly girls managed to chat up the police and walked away with new friends instead of a hefty court fee.

The bad

Shane Turner, junior in communication studies, celebrated turning 21 like any true Cyclone fan would – tailgating style. While celebrating, he had the urge to take a joy ride on the police golf cart. He spotted the nearest vacant vehicle and took off through the student tailgate.

Unfortunately, he didn’t make it far. He fought the law – and the law won. The police had no sympathy for this birthday boy and hauled him off to jail.

The ugly

Johnson did what many students attempt on their 21st birthdays: the 21-shot challenge. He celebrated the majority of his birthday at Paddy’s – that is, until he got kicked out. Miraculously, he made it back to his house later that evening.

When he woke up he discovered his friends had created their own artwork on his face with permanent marker.

If that wasn’t enough, while attempting to wash it off in the shower, he slipped and fell, cutting his head open.

Further proof that bad luck comes in threes.

Rachel Rouse is a junior in communication studies from Curlew.