The Challenges Of Becoming An Adult

There isn’t a set definition of what it means to be an adult. People think it’s easy and fun, but that depends on the choices you make and your circumstances in life. 

As a 20-year-old college student, I’ve started to learn what it means to be an adult. 

Adults are often forced to make tough decisions. Money problems can be a big issue. Many of us put a significant amount of effort into finding a job, but pay very little attention to managing our money once we have that job.

Mastering financial literacy early on can make or break your prospects in the future. 

Poor financial planning can be an issue when you’re considering student loans in college—borrowing money from a bank to fund your classes can be expensive in the long-run. 

Tuition at public four-year institutions has increased by more than 213% in the past 30 years and nearly half of the 22 million Americans with loans are either behind on payments or received permission to postpone payments, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Students need a better understanding of what a repayment plan looks like, so they can make educated decisions after they graduate. 

When you’re in middle and high school, everything feels simple. Then, life gets complicated in the midst of attending college, navigating relationships and jumpstarting your career. 

A common theme I’ve noticed among young adults is the pressure to uphold the image they portray to others. Many end up suppressing their insecurities and fears, and turn into someone else behind closed doors. It’s a byproduct of living in a cruel and judgmental world. 

One common example of hiding our true selves is when someone is unfaithful to their partner. On one hand, a married person wants to be seen as faithful and moralistic, but their urges pull  them in the opposite direction. This cognitive dissonance can be very stressful.  

You need to be mature in order to get your priorities in line. Handling tough life decisions requires being cautious, selfless and having common sense. 

Being an adult also means forgiving those who have wronged you. I hope to look back on my life ten years from now and realize that it’s unfair to judge others’ choices when I’ve made mistakes myself.  

People try so hard to make everything in their lives perfect. It can be overwhelming. Your life will never be perfect, but it’s up to you to make the most of what you have.