Did you just graduate? About to jump into the real world? Are you ready for what is out there waiting for you? 

Well… calm down. Take a deep breath. There is nothing to worry about. You still have time to learn everything there is to know to make it as an ‘adult’. Until then, here are the top ten ways to look adult-like when you are just starting out. Fake it till you make it, and never be afraid to drop everything and start over. You are in charge now.

  1. Maintain Basic Hygiene                                                                                                         No one likes to be around someone who smells like the back-end of a public restroom. If you have stink lines coming off your head like “Pig-Pen” from the Peanuts cartoons, you are still on his level -100% child. Likewise, staying stinky and dirty is not good for your general health. Do everyone you live with a favor and stay clean. Brush your hair, brush your teeth, and be sure to wash behind the ears. If you still need mom and dad to tell you to take a shower, the illusion of adulthood is obliterated.
  2. Get Organized                                                                                                                              No worries if you are not type A, OCD, major effort needed level of organized. That is not what we are talking about here. We are talking about the piles of random papers, the overflowing stack of laundry you have yet to put away, and the bill pay-by dates you have all mixed up right now. If there are piles of crap all over your apartment, unpacked suitcases in the corner, and similar over-cluttered situations happening… clean them up. It will only take you a few minutes out of your day, but will add years in how others view you as an adult. The same goes for your emails and text messages. If it is old and taking up space, get rid of it, and press delete or file it away to where it belongs.
  3. Go Grocery Shopping                                                                                                                That is right you are off the meal plan now, mom is not making you dinner anymore. Even if your roommates, boyfriend or girlfriend, or anyone else in your home likes to be “the cook” it is time for you to go grocery shopping. You have all the power. You can get as many boxes of cookies, ramen, poptarts, and macaroni as you would like. However, if you want to look like an adult, you need to buy some real food. Pick up some chicken (or tofu or veggie mixes if you are vegan, vegetarian and the like), grab a few fruits from the produce stands, and watch your spending. Real veteran adults know which stores have the better prices, when it is worth it to check out the coupons in the ad, and how much they are walking up to the register with (before they even get there). The first step for you though, is getting in the store. After that you are as ‘adult’ as anyone else.
  4. Wash the Car / Remove the Bike Rust                                                                                   Is your car covered in dust and random plant life? Are the bike gears and chain coated in rust? Sorry to say it, but with those dirty rides you are not fooling anyone into thinking you are “adulting” just yet. No need to pay for an expensive ($5-15) car wash or break out the hoses. You are just working on appearances here if you do not have time for a full wash, then just cover the basics. Next time you get gas (also be an adult and fill your tank when you are at a quarter), grab the windshield cleaner from the bucket while you wait. Do all the windows and get them nice and clean. If your bike is rusty you have a few options 1) get it serviced in a shop 2) buy new parts and replace them yourself or 3) scrap the rust off and use rust removers (such as Bull Frog Rust Remover, Workshop Hero Metal Rescue, and Evapo-Rust). Afterwards, you will look like you at least know how to take care of your stuff.
  5. Do What You Love                                                                                                                       Adulthood is when everyone starts complaining about their Mondays, hump-days, and how much they hate going into work. (P.S I happen to love my job and do not go on complaining like most of my friends from college. So, to all their own.) The important thing to remember is that you still have time to do what you love. Being an adult is about making decisions. You get to decide when you want to go out, when to plan a vacation (pending most jobs approval), and when to get just relax. If you want to go paddle-boarding on Saturday, go for it. Want to grab drinks after work, go for it. You are the decision maker now. Adulthood is about doing what you can to have a good life, the biggest part of which is being happy throughout every day of it. (Or at the very least as many days as you can.)
  6. Know Where Your Money Is                                                                                                     Is it in the mattress? The piggy-bank at your parents’ house? Maybe it is in that book you hollowed-out to keep it safe during your days in college? Do you know where your money is?                                                                                                                            If you do not have both a savings account and checking account set-up, now is the time to do so. (Even if you have barely any money to fill them, you want to have these accounts ready to go when you do.) If you have a job are you getting checks or a direct deposit? How much is in your venmo account? One of the biggest parts about becoming an adult is managing your own finances. It is up to you to find out where your money is and how you are using it. Maybe you might even get lucky and find an old wallet hanging around with a few spare twenties in it. (It does happen, trust me.)
  7. Have a “Plan”                                                                                                                               What is most important about #7 is that you DO NOT HAVE TO STICK TO IT. Having a plan does not mean the rest of your life is planned out step by step and you are going to follow it to the letter. If that is your situation more power to you, but the “plan” in question here is just an idea. (And yes, you can make it up if you have to!) When you go back home or are out networking and someone asks you, “what do you do?” or “what do you plan on doing with your life?” have an answer ready. It could be vague, like “I am trying to get my career started in <insert whatever you studied or have any interest in doing here>” or slightly more specific with companies or places you would like to work in. The important thing is that adults have an idea they ae going with. The idea of what they want to do or what they are working on could change everyday, or even every hour BUT at least they have an idea. If you ever answer “I do not know” and leave it at that, sorry you have not joined the ranks of adults just yet. That’s not to say you should not express when you are just figuring things out or are transitioning to a new path. The important thing is to at least have a direction you are aiming at, even if the direction reaches out infinitely in all directions.
  8. Learn the Art of Saying No                                                                                                       Do you find yourself over-spending or wasting time on things you do not enjoy? If so then, it is time to learn the art of saying no. You are an adult now. Saying “no” to an invitation to go out is not lame or implies anything about your life (not that it ever did before). Adults have to say no all the time. They have busy schedules, their friends schedules are likely different from theirs. It is okay to say no and move on. The important thing is to stay in touch and just like #5 said “do what you love”. If time is limited choose activities that will bring you the most joy in doing them. Do not be an asshole and do not push friends away. Instead practice the art of saying no in a way that lets your friends know you are busy, but might be available another day. Plan out your time and do what works for you.
  9. Be Able to Cook At Least One “Meal”                                                                                   This is so important! A “meal” in this sense is a somewhat fancy or at least non-instant meal you can make at home. For when friends come over to dinner or if you are hosting an event at your house, you should have at least one full meal in your repertoire. My meal is parmesan-crusted chicken with rice and broccoli. After learning how to cook this dish, it is now one of the easiest things to make for an impromptu dinner with friends. If you are still able to only cook eggs, ramen, and pasta you need to expand your skills set.
  10. Stay in Contact                                                                                                                           Be it friends, family, or coworkers people will want or need to get in contact with you. If you are truly living life as an adult you know how to check your emails and texts and respond within a reasonable amount of time. If old friends are reaching out, call them back, or at least make a decision that you no longer want to be in contact with them. (Sad, but it happens sometimes.) Be sure to check at least every other day, if not each day for messages. Answer the phone when they call. Sometimes interview calls will be first thing in the morning. If you are still sleeping in till noon, they may take notice.