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West Plains, Missouri
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What is a good way to smoothly step into the Adult World?
I'm a student in high school and I fear on how I may cope when I end up Graduating and starting my own life. It's a common fear, but a fear none the less.
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Tony Riccobono
Technical Program Manager
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Huntington Beach, California
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Tony’s Answer
This is a great question and I commend you for thinking ahead about what life as an adult will be like. It's perfectly logical to have some fear about something that you know you will have to deal with but have not yet experienced. The most important advice I would offer is this: 1) do NOT allow fear to drive the decisions you will be making, especially fear of failure or fear of being "wrong." Don't let fear keep you from having valuable experiences or striving for your goals! 2) take the time to learn about different facets of adulthood, particularly your responsibilities. Address the fear of the unknown by seeking out as much information as you can. Seek out trusted advisors to help you through this transition. 3) (perhaps this should be first): get clarity on your values. Adulthood is a time for values to evolve, and also to be tested. Think about what values you are clear about, and those for which you are uncertain. Think about how you would defend those values if you were ever required to do so. People will question your values as they try to convince you to change them or to take action that may be counter to your values. Clarity on what your values are now will help you to stick to them and will also help those values to evolve in a way that is authentic for you.
Here are a few practical things that I would like to suggest to help you prepare for adult life. I apologize for making this such a long list, and it may feel overwhelming. Please don't let this scare you - you don't need to do all of this at once! Pick any place to start, get it going, and then take another step. And if it's too much right now, set it aside and come back to it a little later.
1. Learn from others' experiences. Seek out friends or relatives who are a few years older than you who have recently made or are in the process of making this transition (it doesn't happen all at once). What sorts of challenges did they experience? What kinds of things happened that they didn't expect to deal with and how did they deal with it? Also, identify someone (or more than one person) who can be a trusted advisor for you to ask questions and get advice, both now and as you progress with adulthood. It could be a parent, relative, teacher, clergy, or friend, but try to identify someone who has knowledge, wisdom and especially your best interests in mind. Having a couple of different perspectives to compare can be valuable.
2. Start now! As an adult, you will be earning a living and will have expenses that you didn't have to pay in high school. You may choose to attend college, perhaps in a different city or state. You can start to experience some of these things now and see how they function - get a part-time job, take college-level (AP) classes in school or perhaps at a local community college. If you don't yet have a checking/debit account, work with your parents to start one (they may need to approve/cosign). If you have the means, travel somewhere new or take a means of transportation that is new to you (college visits are a good reason for travel).
3. Stretch yourself. As an adult you will be experiencing new things and new challenges, and meeting new people. One way to learn how to deal with new things is to practice dealing with new things! Participate in some activities that are outside of your "comfort zone" or that you simply haven't done before. Choose activities where you can meet new people. It doesn't necessarily need to be an ongoing commitment - start with one event or activity or meeting and build on that.
4. Gain some financial knowledge - this is one area that many young adults are unprepared and ignorant. Unfortunately, a lot of being an adult in our society is about "stuff you have to pay for" and "how to pay for it" - rent, car insurance, health insurance, taxes, food, tuition, and hopefully there is money left or fun. Learn how credit cards and interest payments work. Make a practice budget and have a trusted adult help you to review it. Try to learn about what impacts these costs - what would make your car insurance go up or down? How much will you pay in interest if you pay only part of your credit card bill every month vs paying it in full? Now let me warn you - when you see how much all this stuff costs it is likely to be a little discouraging. But the more you know about it, the more you can prepare for it and the less you will have to fear.
Let me end with this - transition to adulthood isn't usually "smooth" and it is different for everyone. But the more prepared you are, the smoother it will go. And remember this - most people get through it just fine!
Here are a few practical things that I would like to suggest to help you prepare for adult life. I apologize for making this such a long list, and it may feel overwhelming. Please don't let this scare you - you don't need to do all of this at once! Pick any place to start, get it going, and then take another step. And if it's too much right now, set it aside and come back to it a little later.
1. Learn from others' experiences. Seek out friends or relatives who are a few years older than you who have recently made or are in the process of making this transition (it doesn't happen all at once). What sorts of challenges did they experience? What kinds of things happened that they didn't expect to deal with and how did they deal with it? Also, identify someone (or more than one person) who can be a trusted advisor for you to ask questions and get advice, both now and as you progress with adulthood. It could be a parent, relative, teacher, clergy, or friend, but try to identify someone who has knowledge, wisdom and especially your best interests in mind. Having a couple of different perspectives to compare can be valuable.
2. Start now! As an adult, you will be earning a living and will have expenses that you didn't have to pay in high school. You may choose to attend college, perhaps in a different city or state. You can start to experience some of these things now and see how they function - get a part-time job, take college-level (AP) classes in school or perhaps at a local community college. If you don't yet have a checking/debit account, work with your parents to start one (they may need to approve/cosign). If you have the means, travel somewhere new or take a means of transportation that is new to you (college visits are a good reason for travel).
3. Stretch yourself. As an adult you will be experiencing new things and new challenges, and meeting new people. One way to learn how to deal with new things is to practice dealing with new things! Participate in some activities that are outside of your "comfort zone" or that you simply haven't done before. Choose activities where you can meet new people. It doesn't necessarily need to be an ongoing commitment - start with one event or activity or meeting and build on that.
4. Gain some financial knowledge - this is one area that many young adults are unprepared and ignorant. Unfortunately, a lot of being an adult in our society is about "stuff you have to pay for" and "how to pay for it" - rent, car insurance, health insurance, taxes, food, tuition, and hopefully there is money left or fun. Learn how credit cards and interest payments work. Make a practice budget and have a trusted adult help you to review it. Try to learn about what impacts these costs - what would make your car insurance go up or down? How much will you pay in interest if you pay only part of your credit card bill every month vs paying it in full? Now let me warn you - when you see how much all this stuff costs it is likely to be a little discouraging. But the more you know about it, the more you can prepare for it and the less you will have to fear.
Let me end with this - transition to adulthood isn't usually "smooth" and it is different for everyone. But the more prepared you are, the smoother it will go. And remember this - most people get through it just fine!
Thank you for your advice. I'll see what I can do with this. I know this should help me in the long run and I am thankful
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there!
Welcome to your guide on Stepping into Adulthood: A Complete Walkthrough
The leap from high school to the grown-up world might seem like a giant one, but with some careful thought and preparation, you can make this transition smooth and successful. Here are some crucial steps to ponder as you gear up to step into the world of adults:
1. Education and Career Mapping: One of the most vital steps in gearing up for the adult world is to concentrate on your education and career mapping. This means exploring various career options, understanding what education you need for your chosen field, and setting clear targets for your academic and professional growth. It might be helpful to chat with a career advisor or mentor who can offer guidance and support as you sail through this process.
2. Understanding Finances: As you transition into adulthood, it's crucial to grasp personal finance. Spend some time learning about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. You might want to consider taking a personal finance class or look for resources that can help you build strong financial literacy skills. Also, think about opening a bank account and understanding credit scores and their impact on your financial future.
3. Cultivating Life Skills: As you get ready to step into the adult world, it's essential to cultivate key life skills that will help you in various aspects of your life. This includes learning how to cook, do laundry, manage household chores, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Moreover, sharpening communication skills, time management, and problem-solving abilities will prove beneficial in both personal and professional life.
4. Creating a Support Network: Creating a robust support network of friends, family, mentors, and professionals can offer priceless guidance and motivation as you tackle the challenges of adulthood. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you, and don't hesitate to seek advice from those who have experience in areas where you might need guidance.
5. Welcoming Independence: Lastly, welcoming independence is a key part of transitioning into the adult world. This means taking responsibility for your actions, making informed decisions, and learning from both triumphs and setbacks. Welcoming independence also means being open to new experiences and opportunities while staying true to your values and beliefs.
By concentrating on these key areas—education and career mapping, understanding finances, cultivating life skills, creating a support network, and welcoming independence—you can set yourself up for a successful transition into the adult world.
Top 3 Authoritative References Used:
The New York Times: The New York Times offers comprehensive articles on education, career mapping, financial literacy, life skills cultivation, and personal growth.
Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review provides valuable insights on creating a support network, welcoming independence, and tackling the challenges of adulthood.
Forbes: Forbes is a reliable source for information on personal finance, career growth, and transitioning into adulthood.
These sources were used to gather authoritative information on preparing for the adult world and transitioning from high school to independent living.
May you be blessed abundantly!
James.
Welcome to your guide on Stepping into Adulthood: A Complete Walkthrough
The leap from high school to the grown-up world might seem like a giant one, but with some careful thought and preparation, you can make this transition smooth and successful. Here are some crucial steps to ponder as you gear up to step into the world of adults:
1. Education and Career Mapping: One of the most vital steps in gearing up for the adult world is to concentrate on your education and career mapping. This means exploring various career options, understanding what education you need for your chosen field, and setting clear targets for your academic and professional growth. It might be helpful to chat with a career advisor or mentor who can offer guidance and support as you sail through this process.
2. Understanding Finances: As you transition into adulthood, it's crucial to grasp personal finance. Spend some time learning about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. You might want to consider taking a personal finance class or look for resources that can help you build strong financial literacy skills. Also, think about opening a bank account and understanding credit scores and their impact on your financial future.
3. Cultivating Life Skills: As you get ready to step into the adult world, it's essential to cultivate key life skills that will help you in various aspects of your life. This includes learning how to cook, do laundry, manage household chores, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Moreover, sharpening communication skills, time management, and problem-solving abilities will prove beneficial in both personal and professional life.
4. Creating a Support Network: Creating a robust support network of friends, family, mentors, and professionals can offer priceless guidance and motivation as you tackle the challenges of adulthood. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you, and don't hesitate to seek advice from those who have experience in areas where you might need guidance.
5. Welcoming Independence: Lastly, welcoming independence is a key part of transitioning into the adult world. This means taking responsibility for your actions, making informed decisions, and learning from both triumphs and setbacks. Welcoming independence also means being open to new experiences and opportunities while staying true to your values and beliefs.
By concentrating on these key areas—education and career mapping, understanding finances, cultivating life skills, creating a support network, and welcoming independence—you can set yourself up for a successful transition into the adult world.
Top 3 Authoritative References Used:
The New York Times: The New York Times offers comprehensive articles on education, career mapping, financial literacy, life skills cultivation, and personal growth.
Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review provides valuable insights on creating a support network, welcoming independence, and tackling the challenges of adulthood.
Forbes: Forbes is a reliable source for information on personal finance, career growth, and transitioning into adulthood.
These sources were used to gather authoritative information on preparing for the adult world and transitioning from high school to independent living.
May you be blessed abundantly!
James.