ADULTING 101 by Olufunmilayo

ADULTING 101 by Olufunmilayo - February 2022 Scholarship Essay

My peers and I beam with excitement for something we have only imagined our whole lives: becoming an adult. The moment the clock strikes midnight and we turn eighteen, a portal is opened to a world full of newfound freedom and endless opportunities. What will we do first? Perhaps we will take a road trip and be able to check into our own hotel room. Maybe we will buy a lottery ticket and hope to become millionaires. Or perhaps we might bet on horse races—well, probably not, but the freedom that comes with being eighteen is very intriguing.

While the new privileges can be extremely alluring, it can also be a confusing time; and, like they say: With great power comes great responsibility. The differences between expectation versus reality are highly evident. Teens are bombarded with a set of new responsibilities—ones they often do not know much about. The initial excitement for adulthood becomes clouded by fear and uncertainty for the future.

During this transition, parents often receive phone calls numerous times a week from their children. Assistance is needed for almost every foreign concept, whether large or minute. One might call their mother confused about the best place to buy the ingredients for their favorite meal. Another might call their father, unsure if a mechanic is overcharging them for an oil change. And do not even remind these new adults about their new obligations to file taxes. The large amounts of new information teens need to know can be extremely overwhelming. It is even more challenging for those with parents native to foreign countries, or those who do not have parents at all. Who can they call on when there is uncertainty about being an adult?

So how can we solve this problem? Perhaps, having an elective class revolving around information needed to enter adulthood can be a big help to those who feel ill-informed. This elective can be particularly helpful to seniors, who will soon leave for college. The curriculum in the class can expand on how specific processes work, so that these adolescents can transition smoothly into adulthood. The course can show students how to register to vote, and how to vote in an educated manner rather than a biased one. Students can also be informed on how to file their taxes. Topics like those will provide relief for many panicking teens.

Financial advice might be another important topic in this elective class. For instance, advice and tools for budgeting can be very beneficial to teens. Whether working or attending school, these new adults will need to manage their money effectively. In addition, students can take what they learn and share it with their family and friends who might not understand certain processes. Perhaps lessons on finance will help decrease poverty and debt amongst young adults and their families. They can learn ways to expand their streams of income through passive income. They can learn to pay their bills and allocate the rest of their funds in a way that will allow them to grow their savings.

These are only a few of the endless ideas that can be taught in this elective class. A class on adulting can improve the lives of so many people and reduce simple mistakes that could cause detrimental effects. In a country that profits off of the misinformed, the youth must stay educated on policies and ways to navigate through the U.S. system. Many people underestimate the power of knowledge; therefore, we must prioritize educating future generations.