While I was preparing for college, I was really excited to finally become a 'real' adult. For the first time in my life I would be out of my house and on my own. I could set my own bedtime, I could eat whatever I wanted. I told my mom I was finally going to understand what it felt like to be an adult because of college. My mom said it wasn't necessarily the same, but I refused to let her bring down my high.
Freshman orientation and I am finally an adult right?
Wrong! I was the furthest thing from an adult. Yes, I was finally living away from my parents, but I was not alone. I had a whole community backing me up, I had people cooking for me, and people looking out for me. I set my own bedtime, but there were consequences if I didn't get to sleep at a decent time, i.e. I wouldn't be fully functioning for my classes. I didn't have to worry about paying rent. I had adults who cared for me and took care of me. People who looked out for my best interests. My friends became my built-in family. Then it dawned on me, my mom was right. This wasn't the same thing. Yes, I was an adult, but I didn't necessarily have the same adult responsibilities that would qualify me as a "real adult."
The more I thought of it the more I realized I wasn't even close to being an adult. On paper I was considered an adult, but in real life I didn't feel like an adult. I couldn't even file taxes and I relied on my parents' expertise. Never truly did I worry about making car payments, and paying rent. I don't even pay for my own cell phone. I couldn't believe I thought going college meant I would become an adult automatically.
Now I know better. I know that once I finish college, get my degree, and put my degree to use. I will have to worry about dealing with adults at my work place, making small talk, grocery shopping on my own, cleaning the house, paying rent, and so on. That is when I am going to be a real adult. That is what it takes to be a real adult. When I am taking care of myself in every way possible. When no one else is looking out for me, but myself.
Come to think of it, that doesn't sound like too much fun, so I can definitely wait to be an adult.
