College students love calling themselves adults. We love the freedom we have on campus, and we even dread going home sometimes because it means we have to adhere to our parent’ rules — rules that we threw out the window the moment we stepped foot on campus. When we became college students, we traded curfews for 2AM Denny’s runs and we learned to forge our own paths and create our own rules. After all, when we turned 18 and left for college, eager to grow up, we became adults.
I am legally an adult, and under the law, I’m responsible for myself. I have a job, a savings account, and a budget. I live with roommates who aren’t related to me and I can cook a variety of meals from scratch. On top of that, I keep up with national and worldly news daily. I don’t have a front lawn, but if I did, I’d mow it every Saturday morning before taking my puppy for a walk. I’m responsible. I know when to spend my money and when to save it, and (I’m pretty sure) I have a great understanding of who I am and what I want for myself.
But, I’m also a child. I know because my parents still pay for my health insurance, and I find myself using the phrase “When I’m older I’m going to…” quite often. I still haven’t mastered the art of ironing my clothes, and I don’t know how to change a tire on my car. Don’t even get me started on taxes…I’m still not sure exactly how that whole process works. I own a onesie, I enjoy finger-painting, and last night I ate two bags of microwavable popcorn while binge-watching season 3 of Scandal on Netflix.
So, I’ve deducted that I’m currently in that phase of my life where I’m not yet an adult, but I’m not a child either. In short, this is a very confusing and weird time for me, and people like me. As college students, we’re treated like adults on campus — our professors speak to us like we’re capable, intelligent people who can converse and learn at their level, we’re held accountable for our actions (there’s no calling mom or dad to bail you out when you get in trouble), and we make our own decisions on a daily basis. The truth about college is that for many people, it’s hard to find the balance between childhood and adulthood. We want to take charge of our lives and feel independent, but at the same time, we want to be able to escape some of the harder, more important aspects of adulthood, especially ones that involve finances or permanent commitments.
My opinion is this: in college, you don’t have to decide whether you’re ready for adulthood yet. Slow down on jumping right into adulthood. There will never be another time in your life when you’ll be able to reap the benefits of both childhood and adulthood. Take advantage of that. It’s important to learn to be independent, and it’s crucial to find your sense of self, explore your hobbies and academic interests, and enjoy the freedom that comes with being away from your parents. However, it’s also perfectly okay to visit home often to see your family, and it’s okay to ask your parents to help you with your taxes. You shouldn’t find shame in your childish habits like binge-watching TV shows, finger painting, or wearing onesies. You don’t have to go into 100% full adult mode the moment you set foot on campus your freshman year. Relish in your college years. I’m convinced that you’ll learn to be an adult as you grow through these weird adolescent years. It’s your experiences that will lead you into adulthood, not necessarily your own will. So be young and realize that mistakes are the best teachers, and everyone learns at a different pace. The lessons you’ll learn during these years will make life a little easier when you’re an adult.