The challenges of stepping into adulthood

GUGULETHU SHINGA

Finishing high school is a great feeling – and it may feel like you have made it to the finish line. However, as you are about to step into the world of adulthood, it’s important to bear in mind that you are bound to face several transition difficulties. certain questions will arise: have I picked the right major, should I stay at home or move away while studying? who am I? will I fit in? All these questions are perfectly normal; the plan is to be prepared in advance.

Different emotions will rise as you are now going to be exposed to new roles and responsibilities. While another student may be excited about this new phase, some students will feel anxious, scared or even get angry out of the blue. students moving away from home may feel abandoned, others will feel homesick as they’ll be in a new environment surrounded by unfamiliar faces – the change may be overwhelming. students who are going to college or university will also face some academic difficulties – tertiary life is nothing like high school. You will have to get with the programme and learn how things work in tertiary. Some students may feel intimidated by large classes in huge auditoriums. Here you are on your own, lecturers don’t chase after students, and this is where time management comes into play. Even if you were an “a” student back in high school, you may start getting low marks in tertiary –some courses are very demanding. You will also meet people from different backgrounds with different beliefs; some students have tattoos and body piercings; others may drink and even use drugs. this is the part where you must remember to stay true to yourself and not follow the crowd. Not every student can afford to pay their tertiary fees and most students will get their funds through bursaries, financial aid, or by taking out loans.

Remember that some financial aids don’t always pay on time, so it’s important that you make a budget and stick to it. calculate how much money you will need each month for essentials like rent, utilities and groceries, and budget accordingly. many students make the mistake of not using the money for what it is intended – best believe you will be sorry should you run out of essentials in the middle of the month and you don’t have a plan b most parents don’t like the idea of their kids leaving home. some worry that you’re not old enough to be independent, while some parents may still see you as their little baby who needs protection – regardless of your age.

It is without doubt that both you and your parents will feel a sense of loss when you move away. The family structure will change, and things will never be the same. It is hard but not the end of the world – you will learn to adjust to the new surroundings and develop new friendships. call your parents and siblings every now and then, and go home when you get a chance – keep the bond alive. Parents should also allow their children to spread their wings. Let them learn to be independent while supporting them from a distance. change is not easy, but everything gets better with time. Leaving your boyfriend or girlfriend and school friends behind is challenging – and the anxiety of this may give you cause to doubt your decision to study away from home. the thought of meeting new people and making new friends may be daunting. Some students are introverts and may have a hard time getting along with their new roommate. There will be feelings of acceptance as well as rejection, however, keep your eyes on the prize and remember what your end goal is.

If you are heading straight out of high school to go work, you should bear in mind that finding a job that pays well with little to no experience is extremely difficult. Should you manage to secure a job, the hours may be long and draining. Getting to know your new colleagues and learning to do your new job while trying to fit in the corporate world may prove to be stressful to some. Take it one day at a time; there usually is at least one colleague who will gel with and who will help make work a little easier. Every decision you make moving forward will affect the rest of your life. Think about what you want to achieve, do your research, weigh the pros and cons, plan and then execute your plan. Finally, be mentally prepared for every challenge you might face – but be even readier to tackle that challenge and come out on top.