Surprise… Adulting Actually Begins in College
College has historically been a transitional period where you begin to experience and learn about various aspects of adulting. It’s not a carefree time with academics as your only responsibility as we would like to believe. But the “college bubble” is a real thing. Here’s how adulting begins in college:
Living away from home: Is this the first time you will be living apart from your parents or family? This newfound independence requires you to manage daily tasks such as laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, and sometimes cooking for yourself. All those things that may have been done for you in the past.
Financial responsibility: This may be the first time you’ve had to manage your own money. Even if tuition, textbooks, and housing are taken care of, you will likely still need to budget for food and other personal expenses. Learn now about opening bank accounts, managing credit or debit cards, paying bills, and understanding loans.
Time management: This is a big one. You’ll have significantly increased academic demands than you had in high school. With no one to watch closely over your habits, you may falter. You’ll have a less structured schedule than high school. Learn how to balance classes, study time, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, and personal time effectively. This is where I, as an Academic Life Coach, am an invaluable asset.
Handling academics: College courses demand greater self-discipline and responsibility. You must attend classes, complete assignments, and study on your own timeline. Google Calendar is your friend and accountability partner. An Academic Life Coach can help you learn study skills that will elevate you to a new level.
Meal preparation: If you have decided to live outside a dorm in an apartment, it’s time to learn to shop frugally for groceries and to cook. The microwave isn’t the only appliance in the house. Explore cooking styles and new recipes for healthy eating. Sharing these responsibilities with a roommate adds a whole new dimension as well.
Health and wellness: You are now responsible for your own health. This includes scheduling doctor’s appointments, eating healthy, staying physically active, and managing stress.
Decision-making: College will introduce you to more complex decision-making than you’ve ever had before. You’ll be choosing majors, career paths, and potentially making choices about relationships and personal values.
Social and emotional development: This is your time for personal growth! Practice navigating the formation of new friendships, managing conflicts, and dealing with emotional challenges on your own. A parent or coach can be a good sounding board for advice, but it’s ultimately up to you.
Networking and professional development: Remember, you’re not in college just for the degree. This is your opportunity to start building a professional network and gain real-world experience through internships or part-time jobs, which are essential to future career development.
Transportation: If you have a car, you’ll need to learn how to maintain it on your own (with the advice of your parents). If you’ll be taking public transportation, learn to navigate it. If you are biking, keep it maintained.
If you didn’t learn and apply these skills during high school, now’s the time to start! Your parents or other family member can be an invaluable source for most of the skills above. An Academic Life Coach can keep you on track. The “Life” part of Academic Life Coach is an important aspect of my work with you. Just know that the process of “adulting” is gradual and varies from person to person. You may already have experience with certain tasks before college while lacking in others. Your university likely provides resources such as workshops, counseling, and advisory services to help you transition into adulthood successfully. Take advantage of every resource available to you and you’ll be well prepared for the “real world” after graduation.