Adulting Club by Emily

Adulting Club by Emily - September 2019 Scholarship Essay

So many students today leave high school not knowing many of the essential responsibilities of being an adult. Most students have never seen a tax form, don't know how insurance works, and lack a formal understanding of financial accountability. Many people may say that it is up to the parents to teach their children these sorts of things, but for students who may not have a stable family situation or feel uncomfortable asking their parents about these topics the Adulting Club is the place to go!

At each meeting, we would have a different topic. For example: taxes week would teach students about filing their taxes, how taxes are calculated, and where their money goes. We would bring in a professional on the subject, or someone with sufficient knowledge. We might also have a week dedicated to teaching students about voting, why their vote matters, how to cast a vote, and what happens once they submit their ballot. Again, we would bring in a professional, such as a local politician, to help get a more complete understanding of the topic.

Along with the critical responsibilities of being an adult in the United States, there are also many practical skills that many students don't know such as how to change a tire, how to apply for a job, and how to make basic meals. While these topics would traditionally be taught in a home-ec class, most schools don't offer a home-ec course. The Adulting Club would be a place for students to gain the practical knowledge that might not be readily available to them at home or school.

The Adulting Club would be a solution to the lack of practical knowledge that children are leaving high school with. It would educate, build community, and most of all help the students who lack the necessary support at home. Students would enter college and the workforce with a more well rounded education and more of skills that they will actually use in their daily lives.