Adulting (v.): to be responsible as an adult and do grown-up things.

Adulting is something that, as one gets older, is constantly being required more and more and is ultimately inevitable. But in college, I have found it hard to find a balance between being an independent adult and being dependent upon parents. For many students, college is the first time they are allowed to go out on their own and are expected to take care of themselves. It is also an awkward time of transition where one is technically an adult, but may not entirely feel like an adult or cannot be fully independent because of class schedules, homework or simply the lack of experience and qualification. Because of this awkward transition, it is sometimes hard for one to understand how he or she can be expected to adult in college. So how is one to adult in college? Here are three ways:

1. Make Your Own Schedule

In high school, you usually have to tell your parents where you are going, when you’re going to be home and what you are going to be doing. However, when you get to college, you get to go where you want with no questions. You get to stay out as late as you want, and you don't have to answer to anyone about what you’re doing.

You also get the chance to make your own class schedule, unlike in most high schools. In high school, you pretty much have to follow the general outline of what the school has for you. In college, you have the opportunity to take classes based on what you’re interested in and when you want to take them.

2. Support Yourself

For many in college, we are not supporting ourselves, simply because there is not enough time in the day for class, homework and a full-time job. But there are a lot of things we can do to help support ourselves! There are many in college that have part-time jobs and are still very successful in school. Once one gets a few semesters into their degree program, he or she is qualified for internships, apprenticeships or even part-time jobs. Even though you may not be completely separating yourself from your parents' budget, you can make enough money to pay for your own clothes, food and other things you need!

3. Make Your Own Decisions

Hopefully by the time you get to college, you are capable of making your own decisions. Maybe you made the decision of where to go to school mostly on your own. Whether you have transitioned to making your own decisions or not, when you get to college you have to make decisions on your own. It is very healthy to get wise council on some decisions, such as transferring schools, getting student loans and starting a new job. But once you get to college, you have to opportunity to make decisions separate of your parents for simple things like, whether to buy generic Cheetos, where to eat for dinner, if you should go to class or skip it, when you should take medication and if you go to bed at 9pm, midnight or 3am.

These are all pretty easy ways that one can be more adult-like in college, but the bottom line is no matter where you are in adulthood, adulting is hard. Having to adult is inevitable, so if you embrace it, find a balance and enjoy life, conquering adulthood can be done!