This is an open letter dedicated to everybody who is struggling with the concept of "adulting" because I know I am! *inserts laughing and crying emojis here*
As I am entering my second year of college, a year away from turning 20, I can't help but reminisce about the life I have lived thus far. I can still remember when life wasn't as complicated as it is right now; times that could be spent playing tee-ball or endless amounts of video games without feeling any sort of pressure. Back when I was a kid, the only types of pressure I seemingly felt were obligations to sports teams or light schoolwork. Now, several years later, the game has completely changed, for quite a few reasons.
Don't get me wrong; I love being an adult (well, legally speaking, at least). I have greater freedom in decision-making, such as being able to drive and having easier access to my friends. I have the right to vote. I get to make money. I am more mentally capable of learning about how the world works as a whole. If that sounds awesome, it's because it is. But like everything, there is another side to the story. Although beginning to "adult" is exciting, it can also be incredibly frustrating and filled with stress. Here's why, from my perspective.
College is widely known to be the most exciting time in peoples' lives. From meeting lifelong friends, being exposed to a plethora of information about the world, to the parties, being a college student has its perks. But with those positives come a crazy amount of work. During my first year, I remember so many late nights packed with textbooks and homework simply due to the fact that there are not enough hours in the day to do everything you want and need to do. The dream scenario is getting eight hours of sleep, going to class, working out, completing homework, studying for tests, finding time to eat, being involved on campus and maintaining a social life. But as I would soon realize, that is not how the world works. Sacrifices to either sleep, grades, or social life are a constant challenge because of a number of variables in your typical day at school. College is the place where I realized that you are not always going to get everything that you want.
Remember the days where you didn't have to pay for anything? I do, too. Now, I have friends with jobs who have car payments and have to pay for a lot of other things themselves. I am in a similar position; I may not have a car, but I am working this summer for most of my money to go toward my second year at Illinois State. I always think that it would be nice if I could keep my money and spend it on the newest high socks from Stance or all the food that my heart desires, but unfortunately, the adult life restricts me from doing so. The adult life tells me that I have to work and save my money for something that will benefit me greatly in the long run, which is a potential degree and a job to go along with it.
The college life and money struggles are just a couple problems that up-and-coming adults have, and they are big ones. However, there is another takeaway from this. Although elements of the "adulting" life can be challenging, there are great lessons to be learned from experiences in adulthood. There are going to be times when we don't always get what we want, and even though we would all like to spend all of our money on what we want, saving money for what we need is the most important thing in the end.
I, like many others I know, have a long way to go in fully discovering what being an adult actually means. There is so much responsibility that goes into becoming and being one that it can be difficult to navigate around. But it's good that we are getting a taste of the adult life right now because we are going to be adults for the rest of our lives. And even though it's somewhat of a scary thought, it is even more exciting.
