ADULTING 101 BY ALI SCOTT, SENIOR, MORGAN PARK
I
t won’t be long before you’re considered a grown-up. Growing pains are inevitable, but to better help you get through the fundamentals of life, here’s a guide for you to create your best adulthood now.
Get a job
The first rule to becoming an adult is earning your own money to pay for the things you want and need. If you haven’t acquired a job already, then you need to be prepared. Start by listing your past work experience in a résumé. Be sure that you know something about the business you’re applying to, so do your research. Prepare for any question the employer may ask you. The best way to get ready for the interview is by practicing using common interview questions, which you can find online. Don’t lie when answering questions. This can come back to hurt you later. Afterward, take the time to write a thank-you letter to the person who interviewed you. It will better your chances of getting the job.
Learn To Cook
If your mommy wasn’t around to cook your meals, how long would you be able to survive? Being able to cook for yourself is a necessity. Meals can be as simple as making a sandwich, preparing a salad or boiling a pot of noodles. If you’re the adventurous type, try reading cookbooks to see what you might be able to make. Websites such as food.com and the-first-time-cook.com are also great resources for beginner chefs. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to help you. It can be a great learning and bonding experience.
“YOU CREATE YOUR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES, SO YOU CAN BE ACTIVE IN CHANGING THEM.” — ROBERT FIRESTONE, PH.D.
Clean Your Home
Part of being an adult includes being able to maintain a clean home. The best way to train yourself is by doing your chores. Yes, that means doing dishes, laundry and cleaning your room. It may be tedious, but after you’ve completed the tasks, you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction with having a tidy space. And don’t wait until your mom tells you to do something. Prove that you’re responsible by cleaning up on your own.
Be Mature
How you respond to situations speaks to your level of maturity. For instance, if someone gives you constructive criticism, meaning they’re respectful in the way they present suggestions to you, and you handle it in a way that shows you respect their critique, then you’ve proven yourself to be mature. Being mature also means knowing what your responsibilities are and how to handle them accordingly. You can’t sit around playing video games when there’s a term paper due! Enjoy the fun stuff after the work’s done. Robert Firestone, Ph.D., a contributor for Psychology Today, notes that part of being mature means not blaming others for your failures. “You create your own circumstances, so you can be active in changing them,” he says. “With the right attitude, you can simply learn from negative experiences and handle things differently.” Taking steps toward becoming an adult may mean making some life adjustments. This is just a start, but go ahead and embrace the change. After all, you’re not going to be a kid forever. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 23