1. You start grocery shopping based on sales and lower everyday prices
The second you start clipping coupons and going to Shoprite instead of Acme because their toilet paper is cheaper, you’ve officially become an adult.
2. You can adapt to any washing machine
For many of us, we never knew how to do laundry until we got to college. And for those of you who did, were only used to your parent’s washing machine. A big part of college is moving around from dorm to dorm to off-campus apartment, which means dealing with a few different washers and dryers along the way. Once you get to senior year, you become pretty comfortable figuring out how to get a permanent press wash on almost any machine.
3. You pay bills
Water bill, electric bill, cable bill, rent… living in dorms gives you the luxury of never knowing how to pay these bills. Until one day you’re a senior and you sign a lease for your off-campus apartment and all of a sudden who the cheaper cable provider is is a major question that you need answered!
4. You don’t care about the latest trends
Chokers? Jean skirts? Who needs them! At this point in your life, you know that instead of spending $60 on a skirt that won’t be “in” in another year, you could save that on something that could last longer… like memories from a vacation or a really awesome concert.
5. You understand how taxes work
Before, taxes were just the thing that got taken out of your paycheck. Now, you have a pretty good idea of how it works and how much you’ll get back during tax season (which we all look forward to). And you also know that sometime soon you’ll have to get your taxes done yourself!
6. Ikea is your Disney World
You’re starting to approach the point in your life that you know one day (possibly soon) you will get to decorate your own house or apartment that won’t be littered with Naty Lite cans. Going to places like Target now includes looking at the kitchen appliances and Ikea is exciting because of all the furniture you may buy one day.
7. You can still make whatever you want for dinner, but you try to be healthy
The days of making frozen dinners are now behind you as you pull out the ingredients to make grilled chicken… who knew you’d get to this point?
8. You don’t care about going out drinking every day
You’ve been going to those college bars for probably almost two years now… whatever could happen there, has happened to you already. Staying in on a Saturday night to bake cookies and work on your microbiology lab has now become something you’d almost like to do instead of having strangers grind on you at the bar.
9. You don't care about frat parties anymore
The days of hanging out in dark basements are over for you now that you realize frat parties just aren't as fun as they seemed.
10. You realize how weird your childhood shows were
Spongebob was creepy, Scooby-Doo was unrealistic, and you’ll never be as cool as the kids in Rocket Power. Adulting means realizing just how unrealistic these awesome shows were.
11. Going to bed early is an accomplishment
Those days you get to bed before 11p.m. is considered a win these days, since you’re usually up way later than that even if it’s just to watch Netflix.
12. “Netflix and chill” is no longer an event you (willingly) participate in
At this point, you know by now that you’re worth way more than that quick Tinder hook up you could be doing. You know that should be wined and dined, because the excitement of random hook ups has (for the most part) faded with age and experience.
13. You don’t have a plan for the future, but you’re excited anyway
Everyone had a 10-year plan when they were about 18. You’d graduate college with your dream job lined up and your dream guy there with you every step of the way. At about 22, you now understand that you have no plan, and maybe even no guy, but that’s okay! There’s no shame in moving back home to figure out your life and there’s certainly nothing wrong with being single. Even though you may feel like you’re getting old, you’re still young to figure things out along the way!
