Your time in college is a unique, liminal moment—you have the freedom of an adult with almost none of the responsibilities. Basically, enjoy your experience because the world becomes a bit more overwhelming after your graduate.
As you prepare to enter true independence, you’ll need to build up particular abilities that make life easier. Here are the three essential life skills you should learn as an adult.
Social Confidence
Chances are your resume features something along the lines of “excellent communication” or “superior social skills.” And maybe you have those, but in truth, there’s room for growth. On a personal level, you must learn to make friends without structure—trust us, you’ll need more than just work companions. So how do you socialize as an adult?
Practice building your confidence by putting yourself in environments with like-minded strangers. This can be as simple as going to a bar or attending an adult class for a particular hobby, like cooking or art-making. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to neighbors and organize get-togethers.
Effective Budgeting
The most boring skill every adult needs is responsibility, especially with personal finances. The cost of college helps teach proper budgeting, but exposure to the real world solidifies the talent. The best way to manage your money is by creating highly detailed plans. This document should incorporate the following factors:
- Rent/house payments/utilities
- Transportation (cars, buses, trains, Ubers)
- Groceries
- Entertainment (internet, Wi-Fi, TV)
- Phone plans
- Clothing
- Social outings
- Any other miscellaneous charges
By correctly visualizing your cost of living, you can better budget your finances. And don’t worry—having a solid spending plan allows you to spend a little bit more. This is because you have a more competent image of your money and how you use it.
Home Maintenance
The thought of owning a home might seem ridiculous to college students, but many graduates will become property owners within 10-15 years. Aside from understanding the various costs and required loans, one must learn proper maintenance techniques. Without a landlord to help, the brunt of repairs is now your responsibility.
Curb appeal is one of the most important factors when determining your home’s market value. A poorly kept exterior will drive away prospective buyers and ruin the most significant asset in your life. So get accustomed to fixing broken walls, keeping up with lawn care, and planting flowers/maintaining flower beds. It’s not a bad idea to get essential sealcoating equipment to properly care for your future driveway, either.
Again, it’s crucial you enjoy your time in school and have fun—you only experience this moment once. However, don’t slack on developing the essential life skills you should learn as an adult. With this knowledge, you can comfortably enjoy arguably the more exciting period of your life!
