When you were a kid, did you dream of adulthood? It probably looked a lot like being able to
stay up late, watch whatever you want on TV, and not have anyone bossing you around. Little
did we know responsibilities of adulthood has a lot more than we ever imagined.
Remember that chore chart you had growing up? Make your bed, do your laundry, pull weeds…
It seemed full of insurmountable tasks that prevented us from hanging out with our friends,
playing video games, or enjoying our favorite TV show. Well, if you thought the responsibilities
of childhood were tough, you’re probably singing a different tune, now.
What It Means to Be an Adult
Did you know that the brain isn’t fully matured until at least age 25? It’s a misconception that
turning 18 means you’re ready to make rational decisions on your own, and decide what the rest
of your life will look like. Adulthood doesn’t begin the minute you turn 18; there are still a few
years of development ahead.
Choosing a Path
Many of us face a lot of choices when we graduate high school and look to the future. It can be
overwhelming choosing between additional education, starting a career, or whether or not to
move out of your parents’ house. With all of these options, how do you figure out what’s best?
College or Technical Training
Sometimes a four-year degree isn’t the best choice. While some teens graduate from high
school and can’t wait to continue their education, others are relieved to finally be free from
homework, testing, and the social structure of school.
Thankfully, there are options when it comes to developing skills to prepare for a career. Take
some time to sit down with a school counselor, your parents, or a trusted advisor and talk about
the following to help decide the next step after high school:
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Extracurricular Activities
- SAT, ACT, and/or AP scores
These are factors that can affect eligibility for scholarships to a college or university, and what
courses you may need to start with. Your extracurriculars, or personal interests, can help you
decide if turning one of your passions into a job is a good choice. A technical training program
can hone your skills and help grow your network so you can find opportunities to work in a field
you love.
Making these decisions may come easily to some, but for others, it can seem like the
responsibility of an adulthood is suddenly weighing on them.
Gap Year
If you can’t decide what’s next after graduation, it might be right to take a “gap year.” This refers
to taking time off from education, or even work, before settling into a new life following high
school.
The time between high school and the real world can be used for more self-discovery, helping
young adults decide where they want to invest their money, their talents, and their energy. A
gap year can involve working, traveling, volunteering, or an internship. Without the constraints of
a high school schedule to follow, a gap year can help a young person learn more about
themselves, and what they might want to commit to for their future.
Finding a Job
Continuing on to college isn’t for everyone. If that’s the case for you, it may be time to start
looking for a job with advancement opportunities that can eventually lead to a career. There are
a lot of options for high school graduates, including the following:
- Food Service (can lead to management)
- Landscaping or Groundskeeper
- Flight Attendant
- Office Admin
- Lyft or Uber Driver
- Delivery Driver (Amazon, FedEx, DoorDash)
- Fitness Instructor
Many of these jobs, and others, offer flexible schedules and will provide on-the-job experience
that can help you advance to other opportunities. Plus, some of them are a fun way to meet new
people, see the world around you, or work in a field that has always interested you.
Home Ownership
If you’ve always looked forward to having your own place, keep in mind there are usually a lot of
hidden headaches when it comes to homeownership! Until you’re the one responsible for the
cleaning, maintenance, and repairs, it seems like the American Dream to own your home.
Unexpected Responsibilities of Homeownership
You may readily find a home that fits your budget, but there are usually a few costs that new
homeowners aren’t aware of. As you enter adulthood and look at finding the perfect place to call
home, be aware of some of the unexpected responsibilities of owning a home.
- Closing costs
- Mortgage payment, interest, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes
- Utilities
- Landscaping and yard maintenance
- Home repairs
It can be easy for these monthly payments and surprise expenses to creep up on you; if you
think you’re ready to take the plunge and own a home, make sure you talk with a trusted advisor
for advice on avoiding foreclosure or penalties to your credit for late payments.
Navigating Complicated Changes
Leaving the small pond that is high school for the big pond that is the real world can be a shock.
You may have felt comfortable in your role as a high school student, as a member of clubs, or in
your relationships with friends and family.
Then, you graduate and the people you love may move on to their next chapter without you. You
may find you have different priorities than your peers, and it may be hard to adjust to being in a
new place literally or figuratively.
It’s okay if you’re not seamlessly transitioning into a new life after graduation. You don’t have to
navigate these complicated, changing relationships and landscapes on your own. If you’re
attending a college or university, you can most likely turn to free counseling services on campus
to help you find a balance between the good and the bad of new adulthood. If you’re under the
age of 23, you may still be dependent on your parents’ insurance and can look for a counseling
practice in their network.
It’s normal if the transition to being an adult doesn’t look how you pictured. Yes, you may get to
eat brownies for dinner and stay up as late as you’d like, but now you have to get up the next
morning for work no matter what. Mom and Dad can’t write a note to excuse you from your
responsibilities anymore!
