life skills adulting
We know you are excited about going off to college , but are you ready to live on your own ? There are some things you may not even realize your parents have been doing for you all these years under their roof . In order to help you and your parents feel better about you making your big move , here are some tips for managing life as an adult !
But don ’ t worry , everyone calls their mom and dad for help when they first move out .
1 . Wash Your Own Laundry
If you ’ ve never been responsible for your own laundry , start now while you still have mom and dad to show you the ropes so you don ’ t end up ruining your favorite outfit !
Pro Tip : Hang those clothes up as soon as they come out of the dryer so they don ’ t wrinkle . If they do get wadded , throw them back in with a damp towel .
2 . Practice Cooking
And we don ’ t mean only learning how to cook a frozen pizza . Look up different recipes and try to cook healthier options . Sure , fast food is way more convenient but believe it or not , pretty soon you ’ ll be longing for homemade meals … and even leftovers !
3 . Take Safety Measures
We promise this isn ’ t a commentary on your aforementioned cooking skills , but you need to know about different kinds of fires and how to put them out . Did you know you can ’ t put out a grease fire with water ? Smother it with a pan or baking soda , but don ’ t forget to turn off the stove or oven first .
4 . Get Moving
Even if you feel like you don ’ t have time , try to take an hour at least a few times a week to be active . The more you stay active , the better you ’ ll feel . Plus , exercise is a great way to combat stress !
5 . Balance Your Bank
It is important to know how to pay bills and actually check on your account regularly . It takes a lot of discipline , but you don ’ t want to end up over-swiping your card and having to pay overdraft fees !
Pro Tip : Need cash and don ’ t want to pay the ATM fee ? Buy a pack of gum and get cash back at the grocery store !
6 . Look for Discounts You want to save as much money as possible , so take advantage of any and all discount codes . Pay attention to online and in-stores sales . A lot of places in “ college towns ” offer student discounts when you show your student ID at checkout , so make sure you always ask !
Pro Tip : Publix offers BOGO items — you can buy just one of the items listed on sale and it will be 50 % off .
7 . Set Aside Extra Money It ’ s important to have money put back for emergencies , future needs , and even just for fun . Sometimes it ’ s hard not to spend every dime as soon as you get it , but with a little consistency , you ’ ll probably find that you enjoy watching your savings balance grow . And , you ’ ll enjoy getting to say yes to that fun evening with your friends because you saved !
8 . Call For Yourself
Calling to make hair appointments or scheduling a dentist visit can be stressful , but the best way to get more comfortable with it is to just make yourself do it . You will begin to feel more comfortable each time !
Pro Tip : If you can help it , don ’ t call on a Monday morning or on a Friday , which can be their busiest times .
9 . Set Decent Sleep Hours
No , you ’ re not an old person if you go to bed early . Sometimes you need to in order to get enough sleep for the day ahead of you . Everything is a bit easier and life runs much more smoothly when you are getting the sleep you need .
10 . Wake Yourself Up
Listen , you can tell us … is Mom still waking you up every morning ? We get it . Mornings are hard and Mom is a dependable alarm , but no one will make sure you are up for work or school once you graduate except for you !
14 | Winter 2022 www . potentialmagazine . com