Learning to "Adult" If You're Off to College for the First Time
No matter how old you are, you’ve probably heard the phrase “adulting is hard.” Unfortunately, it’s true. There’s no shortcut or easy way around growing up and having your own responsibilities — especially when it’s your first time doing it.
That’s why so many college-aged individuals have a hard time transitioning to adulthood when they leave home for the first time and have to step out into the real world.
Thankfully, it’s easier to learn how to “adult” than you might think. Maybe you’ve recently started college and you’re feeling overwhelmed, or maybe you’re looking ahead to the future and want to prepare now.
With that in mind, let’s cover some tips you can use to learn how to make the most of “adulting” if you’re off to college for the first time.
Practice Time Management
There is nothing more important than your time. When you’re in college, it can be tempting to sleep in if you don’t have any morning classes and pull all-nighters more often than not.
Unfortunately, those habits can leave you feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, and unhappy.
Time management is an important skill for adulthood. You’ll need to utilize it for the rest of your life — especially when you begin your career.
One of the best things you can do is to establish a daily routine for yourself. Try waking up at the same time each morning and going to bed around the same time each night. Do things throughout the day that provide consistency and familiarity. Establishing a routine will make it easier to manage your time and stay on track with important things.
Learn to Manage Finances
When you were in high school, you probably didn’t worry about money very much. Maybe you had a part-time job and the only real expenses you had were car insurance and whatever you wanted to buy for yourself.
In college, there are more expenses to consider. Even if your room and board are paid for, you have to think about paying off loans in the long-term, and taking care of small necessities now. That includes everything from toiletries to food for your dorm or apartment.
It’s also a good time to learn how to build a budget — something you’ll need when you start a job and have bills to pay. Learning how to manage your money now and create a realistic budget will make “adulting” more comforting for you. Money can be one of life’s greatest stressors if you let it control you. Learn how to manage it now for a life of greater success and less stress.
Practice Self-Care
We live in a world where self-care often gets ignored. Life is busy, and can sometimes be chaotic. In college, it’s far too easy to develop unhealthy habits that you’ll end up carrying with you into adulthood.
Instead of becoming a victim of a lack of self-care, prioritize it now. You don’t have to have a lot of time or money to take care of yourself. Things like regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet are all important forms of self-care that can help you feel your best.
Self-care is also essential for your mental well-being. Try meditating, mindfulness, or journaling to maintain your mental health and manage stress each day. Developing these healthy habits now will make it easier to prioritize them in the future.
Learning to “adult” can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re stepping into a college setting for the first time. But, don’t let your own expectations keep you from success. Keep these tips in mind and put them into practice, and “adulting” might end up being easier than you expected. Reach out to learn more about life transitions counseling and how it can help you during this new chapter of your life.
