LEARNING TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT

How To Handle New Responsibilities While Transitioning Into Adulthood

BY SELA VALIGNOTA

As we continue through our high school careers, it slowly becomes more apparent that adulthood is not too far away. After graduating, some will feel overwhelmed with the many responsibilities abruptly pushed onto their plate.

In preparation for adulthood, it is important to not only acknowledge how close it is but also the independence that comes with it. From going out to get groceries to scheduling your own doctor’s appointments, gaining self-sufficiency as a teenager and young adult is extremely important.

Social worker Jenna Cartwright understands the significance of learning independent skills, especially in high school. This is not only because many students will be becoming adults soon, but also because as teenagers, we have the time and capacity to be learning and developing certain habits and skills.

“These are your foundational years. This is when you learn skills to prepare you for college or if you go away. If you don’t know [these] skills in high school when you have four great years to do that, then you’re dumped into the deep end and have a harder time,” Cartwright said. “You’re at the age as a high school student where your brain is understanding that independence piece, and because your brain is like a sponge where you can absorb so much, right now is a great time.”

Having these skills and habits at a young age can help you prepare for adulthood, as well as bring more productivity into your day-to-day life. Senior Jaden Schneider is recognized among his peers as a self-sufficient, responsible teenager. While holding a job, Schneider also puts in the extra effort to do chores and maintain the household.

“I help out around the house, especially when my family’s not at the house a lot, and I keep it running,” Schneider said. “Being independent helps you with being productive and doing the things needed to guarantee that you will have a solid future.”

There are many ways to start practicing being self-sufficient. As a teenager, Cartwright was instilled with many independent skills and responsibilities.

“I had parents who were willing to take care of a lot of things that, as I got older, I became more responsible for. My parents did instill independence in me,” Cartwright said. “I think I had a good mix of both, but I did have parents who had me go out and get a job and made me do things.”

Many of the things Cartwright had to do were learning experiences that helped prepare her for when she had to go about her adulthood independently. Gaining these skills at a young age is beneficial when understanding and establishing future responsibilities.

“I had to learn how to go and get prescriptions for my grandma by myself. I had to call and make my own appointments and go to the doctor by myself. You should be doing these things and taking more ownership of your life and health,” Cartwright said.

Most high school students can start taking control of their lives by taking on responsibilities such as getting a job or serving others. Schneider finds getting a part-time job to be a good way to start establishing self-sufficiency. Whether it is a job or another important responsibility, building independence can be hard at first, but beginning to practice these habits at a young age makes you more prepared for the future.

“Having a job helps you pay for your own [things] and prepares you for college,” Schneider said. “Getting a job is the first and hardest part, but making short goals and getting into the habit makes it easier from there.”

It’s important to reinforce that independence doesn’t necessarily mean doing everything alone. Many people around you can help and support you through your transition from adolescence to adulthood. Knowing the difference between independence and isolation is very important to remember on your path to self-sufficiency.

“This is the emergence stage [where you learn when] there are gaps in your independence. [Knowing] when you need to ask for help is another really important long-term skill,” Cartwright said. “You’ll have your parents if they are willing to help out, [as well as] your boss or your teachers, as your support team to help answer questions along the way.”

There is no shame in having a support system to walk you through your transition into becoming an independent young adult, and most would prefer it that way. According to Being Lonely vs. Being Independent, an article by Natasha Maya, a writer for Sunway University’s student newsletter Echo Media, gaining your independence can be difficult, but it does not have to be done alone.

“Many dream of being independent, the idea that you can prosper on your own without anyone’s help. That can be both empowering and devastating at the same time,” Maya said. “To achieve great things, you must go to great lengths; many confuse this understanding and assume that they would have to go through it alone. But the truth is, you don’t. One does not have to be alone to be independent.”

Between intimate couples in the hall, argumentative conversations between periods and dramatic videos of fights, it’s nearly impossible to avoid drama as a high school student. Being aware of the role high school plays in your life and having a good outlet are two great ways to handle drama.