Let's face it, the school system failed us when it came to real-world applications of knowledge. While a very good amount of subjects taught in school are applicable if one is continuing in higher education, the majority is not necessary for the realities of the economy and raising a family.
As a brand new adult, I've been slapped in the face with reality; one that I was very much not prepared for. Here are just a few things that I should know by this age, but most certainly do not.
1. How to balance a checkbook.
Arguably the most important part about adulting, and I have no idea how to do it.
2. How buying a house works.
What exactly is a mortgage? I only know a little bit about it from Monopoly whenever I went broke.
3. How to budget in general.
There is a reason I only have $1.07 in my checking account at any given time, and it's because I have no idea how to save my money effectively.
4. How to buy and prepare food for more than one person.
Ramen cannot feed a family, or me for that matter.
5. How credit works and how to build and maintain good credit.
We were taught that credit cards are bad, but we have to have them to build credit to buy big things like a house or a car. How exactly does this whole concept work?
6. How to create a professional résumé and cover letter.
I need experience in order to gain experience, and that's only for a summer job. What about a real, professional job?
7. How to change the oil in my car.
My father has told me to check it, but I have no idea where to start.
8. How to replace a tire.
I'm screwed otherwise.
9. Really, anything related to fixing a car.
Thanks to firestone, maybe I won't have to worry too much.
10. Insurance?? Health, life, car, dental, etc.????
There's so many! I'm paying money for "just in case" situations; somebody wants to explain why this isn't already covered?
11. How to build a résumé for a real job.
Surely my future career employer does not care if I worked at McDonald's or some department store for a summer. What are some items of substance that employers actually want to see?
12. How to schedule my own doctor's/dentist's appointments.
If you think that I want to do adult things like stay out late and do what I want, but don't want to talk on the phone with a doctor or dentist then you are one hundred percent correct.
13. How to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Even friendships can become subtly toxic; how do I find the right people for my life?
14. How to defend myself.
Self-defense is necessary for the world we live in today. I don't want to hurt anybody, but I do want to make sure that I won't get hurt myself.
15. How to maintain positive mental health.
The most important aspect of life in general, and also the hardest to achieve.
16. How to make healthy things taste good.
I really, really hate vegetables, but I need them to live healthily, so I need to figure out how my mom was able to get me to eat them as a kid.
17. How to manage time in circumstances other than school.
My life is not always going to contain homework, tests, and campus clubs. One day my future kids are going to need breakfast in the mornings and to get to school, and I'm going to have to also have breakfast and get to work. There's some real time management.
18. How to communicate effectively when something is wrong.
Whether it be with parents, friends, or a significant other, I need to be able to talk out problems rather than ignoring them.
19. How to avoid unnecessary drama.
I try to avoid it but it always seems to find me.
20. How to take out a loan and pay it back.
And how it affects a credit score.
21. How to network professionally.
I'm socially awkward as is, how can I be professionally awkward?
22. How to repair various things when they break.
Handy skills should always be a necessity, yet here I am with none of that knowledge.
23. How fabric softener works in the laundry.
What actually is this purpose? What's the difference between the liquid fabric softener that looks like detergent and dryer sheets?
24. How to give a real apology.
Saying "I'm sorry" is different than giving a heartfelt apology for something you know you did wrong.
25. How to avoid giving unnecessary apologies.
I need to not apologize for everything; sometimes the truth hurts and I shouldn't apologize for something that isn't my fault.
26. How to communicate what I want/need without feeling guilty or undeserving.
Asking for a raise at a job is really difficult, but I should be able to voice what I want or need if I am deserving enough.
27. How to cope with grief effectively and healthily.
Grief comes in many forms, and I should be able to cope healthily without turning to harmful substances or situations.
28. How to deal with stress healthily.
I've had to go to low-fat everything and it is just not cutting it anymore.
29. How to do laundry right.
What to wash together, what to keep separate, when to use hot or cold water, what the difference is between a medium and large load; there is so much that goes into doing the laundry!
30. How to keep it all together
I really wish the majority of things listed above came with a step by step manual, but at the very least, can someone help me keep myself together?
Adulting is hard! Nobody told me how difficult and confusing this whole growing up thing was going to be, but here I am, trying to adult every day. I guess experience really is the way to go when learning all this stuff, so I'm going to take it a day at a time.
