Whenever some of us hear the word adulting, there is a bit of excitement. It whispers freedom, independence, doing what you want and when you want. Sounds fun, and something that is worth looking forward too. Others get a little bit fearful and overwhelmed, but which ever way you feel about adulting one should expect to change some old habits and behaviors and become more responsible. If you can put into practice some of the tips mentioned below while you are still in Uni you should be able to make a smooth transition into adulthood.
Here are some adulting tips that you can implement in university.
Get into your 'I am an organized individual Era'
Getting your life in order does not mean you have to have everything set out perfectly over night. It is a process, and it is one of the ways for you to live a fulfilling life as you transition into adulthood. To get organized start by creating a flexible weekly schedule every Sunday when you have an idea of what you may have to do during the coming week. A schedule will help you balance your academics, your work, your personal life and allow you to incorporate self-care into your daily routine. Make use of software like Notion or mobile applications to set reminders of upcoming tests, and assignments, a photoshoot, birthdays, events, extracurricular activities. Set aside some time to edit your vlogs or to create your next TikTok video, to do some meal prepping, to clean your space, to apply for graduate programs, internships or if you are already working a full-time job scheduling will help you balance your job, academics and personal life.
Timing is key. If you can plan ahead and stick to your schedules, you’ll notice an improvement in the way you do things, you’ll have less stress, feel less overwhelmed and feel like you have everything under control.
Make taking care of your Mental and Physical Health a Priority.
As you become an adult, it is important for you to look after your mental and physical health like your life depends on it, because it actually does. If you want to be performing at your best almost everyday then you have to make it an effort to get your mind and body to get enough rest, yea sure we are living busy lives and sometimes we may have to settle for 3 hours of sleep but try to make up for that lost sleep soon after. Eat a balanced diet, do not restrict yourself, go for that creamy chicken pizza, try a salad, eat good food portions. Just balance. Get your body to sweat now and then, and you dont have to run 1 hour on the treadmill. You could play netball with the girls, play soccer with the gents, be active, do some Pilates with your friends, make being physically active a fun thing to do rather than a task. Keep in check with your mental health, and if you are struggling please reach out for support, you do not have to isolate yourself.
Manage your Money Matters
As a student, you may not have a hot source of income, but whatever income you are receiving learn how to manage it carefully. This is another important aspect of becoming an adult. Learn how to be financially literate and gain financial independence. Create a friendly budget that will allow you to cover your expenses which includes food, transportation, it should allow you to still have fun and still manage to save some money. Take note of your spending habits, identify your needs and your wants, look for ways to reduce your expenses, such as making use of your student discounts, traveling by bus, walking to and from campus, preparing more home cooked meals and even buying in bulk with your friends.
If you feel that your income is not enough then lookout for ways to earn extra income. Try becoming a content creator on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram, try teaching English online, start a blog, try online data entry jobs, communicate with your lecturers and ask them if you can tutor the courses that you are acing. You could even sell products or offer a service to your peers. If you feel that you are already earning good money then you should still aim to manage your finances and minimizing splurging on things that you will not care about literally the following week. Also take it upon yourself to learn more about personal finance by watching YouTube or through online courses offered on platforms like SkillShare.
Learn how to make your own decisions
When you are becoming an adult a lot of the decisions that you will have to make will no longer require the approval of your family or your friends. You will have make the decisions on your own. You will have to learn how to consider alternatives, weigh the pros and cons, take risks and make that decision on your own. You will need to have faith and to trust in yourself to make the right decisions. You will have to be in control and responsible for your own life. However keep in mind that this does not mean you should not ask for input or advice from others. You should in fact be able to listen to what other people have to say because you could learn a thing or two and then ultimately, you should make the final decision.
Develop and improve your communication skills
Your ability to communicate effectively with others is a must have skill as you become an adult and for the success of your career. You must learn how to adapt your way of communicating with people according to the situation, the environment and the person that you are talking to. The same way you don’t want to be talking to your mom like you are talking to your friend. And whenever you are communicating with another person try to listen actively and understand what they are saying, learn how to respond in a way that clearly articulates your thoughts. If you struggle to communicate with others take the initiative to develop this skill by participating in public speaking or joining a debating club and if that sounds like a really big step, you could start by challenging yourself to have a five-to-ten minute interaction with a peer you don’t know on campus 3 days a week.
Conclusion
As you are learning how to be an adult keep in mind that its an ongoing process, be curious, be confident and embrace the journey, the opportunities, the challenges and the responsibilities that come along the way as you shape your future. Learn how to organize your life and manage your time, become financially literate, look after your mental and physical health, cultivate meaningful relationships, and improve the way that you communicate with other people. This will help you grow and evolve into an adult who is capable of succeeding in all that you set out to do.