When you turned 18, graduated high school and were thrown into the world, you were faced with a great deal of important decisions. These decisions included whether or not you would go to college, what you would study, what kind of job you would pursue and how you wanted your relationships to work.

This is overwhelming for anyone, and as an 18-year-old, those decisions can be straight up terrifying. These young adults are introduced to a whole new world of new people and experiences, and they often end up in serious relationships.

While these relationships are great, researchers are warning these young adults not to jump into a serious commitment too quickly. In a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, researchers reveal that if you wait until age 23 to get married, your chances for divorce are significantly less than if you get married before age 23.

The statistics

The research revealed that people who married at 18 saw a 60 percent divorce rate, whereas those who waited until 23 to tie the knot had a 30 percent divorce rate.

The Atlantic reported, "The longer couples waited to make that first serious commitment, the better their chances for marital success."

At age 23, young adults are graduating from college, starting their careers and becoming financially stable. It's understandable that a person who is starting to become established in the world would have a better understanding of serious commitment and what it entails.

What about cohabitation?

The Atlantic also reported that cohabitation is becoming mainstream, and it "has increased by nearly 900 percent over the last 50 years." While it can work for some people, cohabitation has some serious risks - especially when that decision is made at a young age.

Meg Jay, author and psychologist, says, "I have clients who say 'I spent years of my 20s living with someone who I wouldn't have dated a year if we had not been living together.' Once you buy dishes, share a lease, have a routine, and get a dog, it can be difficult to cut your losses and accept that the relationship isn't working."

The best age to get married

Different researchers have found different results when searching for the best age to get married, and this particular one says to wait until you're 23. However, there are many cases where marriages survive if you don't wait until that magic number.

The bottom line is that if you feel like you're ready to make a lifetime commitment to someone, you're ready to put in the work for a successful marriage and you know the risks, you should go for it. You know yourself better than anyone else, so as long as you know what you're getting yourself into, make a decision that's right for you.

I got married when I was 18 years old. People told me I was crazy, but I honestly couldn't be happier. I knew the risks, and I knew I was ready. The magic number for this study might be 23, but you do what you know is best for you.