How does it feel to be 18? Questions, a lot of questions. A number that makes the wall between the younger teen from the older teen. It's just odd to know that this number can tell you that you're matured already. But, is it really true? Is being an 18-year-old guarantees that you're in adulthood stage? To do adult stuffs, and to dwell with geriatric responsibilities?
An internationally-funded research called "Anatomical Changes in the Emerging Adult Brain," done last November 29, 2005 by two professors in Dartmouth College, defined when human maturity sets in. The study closely tracked a group of freshman students throughout their first year of college. This research contributes to the growing body of literature devoted to the period of human development between adolescence and adulthood.
During the first year of college, especially at a residential college, students have many new experiences. They are faced with new cognitive, social, and emotional challenges. The professors thought it was important to document and learn from the changes taking place in their brains. For the study, the two researchers looked at the brains of nineteen 18-year-old Dartmouth students who had moved more than 100 miles to attend college. A control group of 17 older students, ranging in age from 25 to 35, were also studied for comparison.The results indicate that significant changes took place in the brains of these individuals. The changes were localized to regions of the brain known to integrate emotion and cognition. Specifically, these are areas that take information from our current body state and apply it for use in navigating the world.
The conclusion: The brain of an 18-year-old college freshman is still far from resembling the brain of someone in their mid-twenties. Reaching adulthood might be much later than we traditionally think.
Scientifically or either ways, reaching the age of 18 is not a proof that you're old enough, not even a sign. Maybe, one would consider that with such age, they can do more and maximize the finite acts. More privileges and more opportunities will come. However, it's an overall package: there's always a combination of positive and negative. Great responsibilities come alongside with something you attain.
Well, let us see, as I take my countdown to maturity. February 3, almost a week from now will be the day that I will experience the taste of being a more matured citizen. Will I mature or still immature? It's just a number they fondly say, but we will see.
