Face it, the idea of college was so exciting because it meant freedom. It meant you were an adult. It meant you could make decisions for yourself. It meant you could do what you want, when you want. RIGHT?
It's not that glorious. Quite frankly, adulting can be a pain, and here's why:
1. Making appointments
I'm pretty sure we've all had a conversation that goes something like this:
Me: Mom, I think I need to get my eyes checked again.
Me: I've been having trouble seeing at night when I'm driving.
Mom: Well why don't yo-
Me: I can't go in on Tuesday until 3 because of class, but-
Mom: You just need to call-
Me: Thursday would probably work better because I am out of class by 11.
Mom:
Me:
Mom:
Me: Unless you think it'd be better that I go Tuesday.
Mom: Just make your own appointment.
And that's when your heart starts pounding and the anxiety attack begins, because face it, you're having to make your own appointment. You're a grown up. Well, legally, that is.
2. Cleaning
How the heck are you suppose to study, work, sleep, be social, and keep your room clean?! Sorcery. The sole answer. I'm constantly in and out of my room, changing, throwing around books, shoving food in my face, and shuffling out the door to yet some other commitment. And don't get me started with the trash. It just turns into a game of Tetris.
3. Laundry
Who needs underwear anyway, right? Be free. Let loose. Let's start a new hippie movement. But seriously, needing to do my laundry is a constant struggle. And you would think running out of clothes would be a warning sign to me, yet somehow, my hamper is vomiting all over my closet.
4. Food
Oh, food... the struggle of food. First of all, eating healthy, or even just well, is freaking expensive. So that's out of the question. Smuggle away as much as you can when you go back home. Shove food in every crevice of your backpack or purse. Heck, you'll be on the road by the time your parents notice that the pantry is bare. And hey, maybe it's gotten to THAT point. You know, the point when you're so desperate that you're stowing away caf food in tupperware containers. Yeah. THAT point (been there). There is no shame. There is no judgment. You do you, friend. You do you.
5. Insurance
Uh... Yeah, I'm still not quite sure how it works.
6. Losing things
"Where the heck are they?" you ask yourself as you scuffle around your room, desperately searching for your keys. You're going to be late to work, and your mom isn't there to point them out... usually in the most obvious spot. Looks like you'll be 30 minutes late. No biggie.
7. Exercise
LOL.
8. Sleep
There's just never enough of it. You're either energy drink-induced at 4 a.m., creating a beautiful (well, at least through your sleep-deprived eyes) 10 page masterpiece, or you're sleeping through 12 alarms, waking up with bloodshot eyes and remnants of Nacho Cheese Doritos stuck to your face. Well, maybe these two events occur back-to-back, but either way, 24 hours is just not enough time do all the things you need to do and get a good night's sleep.
9. Crying
What do you mean it's not socially acceptable for me to break down? I just need a hug, man.
However, adulting isn't all that bad. I mean, I can eat 10 cookies and no one is going to stop me. But maybe someone should... My point is, the freedom is nice, but learning to balance it, as well as doing some things on your own, is hard, but it is pretty rewarding. For the record, though, I still don't have the whole adulting thing down just yet. So Mom, will you please make my next appointment?
