College students are at a strange transitioning period in their lives. We’re trying to finish school, figure out our career paths, perhaps even moving out on our own and figuring out our sense of self. Granted, we’re not making down payments on mortgages and planning for our second child (well, some people are). It’s usually a slow process into adulthood. We all want to be independent and financially secure, which can be challenging while still in post-secondary as a 20-something-year-old. But until then, fake it until you make it.
When is the exact moment when you stop being a pseudo-adult and start being a real adult? I don’t know. But I do know super effective ways to achieve a vague sense of adulthood and responsibility.
Get a Costco Card.
There’s no better sense of accomplishment than getting a good deal. You can convince yourself and others that you’re good at saving money and strike conversations about how you got a pack of whole wheat pita bread for $6.99 (can you believe it?). Costco also has cheap gas and hotdogs with a drink for $1.50! You could practically live off of those. But if you do, don’t tell anybody (not very adult-like). Think of all the money you’re saving and live off that high for the rest of the week.
You know you’re an adult when you’re trading in your Pokemon cards for a Costco card.
Buy dress pants and a button-up.
I bought a nice ensemble for some interviews I had coming up and, oh my gosh, I felt like I had my life figured out (I didn’t). I also felt like I already had an important business job instead of being a broke college student. In addition to feeling professional, others will treat you like you’re a professional as well. You don’t have to break the bank to look professional. Try shopping at places like H&M, Zara, RW&Co and Topshop. Unless you’re a fashionista, no one will know the difference.
Go on a hike one time and then say you’re into hiking.
Make sure to post it on all your social media while you’re at it. Going on hikes during your free time makes a better impression than what you’re actually doing, which is probably being in your pajamas and watching Netflix. Pretending you like to hike really looks like you have your life together.
Learn to cook one dish, like, really well.
Just one, really. So when you have people over you can feed them more than just chips and beer. It’s also not that difficult. All the recipes and instructions are online. Just hide the recipe and call it your own. Plagiarism doesn’t extend to the culinary world.
Buy wine from a different country
Or just buy wine. Any wine. Read the back of the label and regurgitate the information when serving it to others. Oh wow, now you’re a self-made wine connoisseur. Isn’t this wine sophisticated.. or something? With hints of…oak? Doesn’t matter, you’ll sound educated. Anyways, whatever adjective you spew out to describe the wine will sound impressive to the average 20-something-year-old.
Spice up your house with decor.
Nothing screams “adult” like keeping fake plants, fruit, candles, and mason jars around your house.
Fake plants are non-committal; the best one-time purchase to make your place look more put-together. Secondly, the placebo effect is strong when combined with the illusion of health. Having random fruit around your place gives off the impression that you make smoothies for breakfast and go for jogs before the sun is up. Thirdly, all those hours on Pinterest pays off since you’ve “pinned” so many posts about the random stuff you can put into jars and make it look cute.
Lastly, candles make your place feel home-y and that you throw really great dinner parties with that one dish you know how to make and that Malbec from Argentina with hints of grape.