By Audrey Love

That I would be assigned to write a “How to Adult” column is a bizarre notion, even to myself. I’m 23 years old and the connotation of the word “adult” is one I’m still seeking to define for myself.

For one, the notion of being an adult immediately signals a whole set of rules and frightening ideas; one being that 18 is the magic number for transitioning from your formative years into wisdom and sophistication of adulthood (whatever that means).

Another is the idea that the knowledge and skills one needs to succeed in the world as a functioning adult will, over time, perhaps by supernatural forces or pure luck, become known to us and thus unlock the secrets of “how to adult” and the fumbling and failing will subside.

That’s just ignorant.

All of our years are “formative years.” Growing up requires a greater sense of responsibility to oneself, fostering independence and doing things within the realm we and society have defined as “adulthood”— ya know, paying bills, holding down a job, and other yucky things like making our own doctor’s appointments.

But the standards to which we hold ourselves as we age and traverse into that foreign adult land should be defined by ourselves rather than the ideals and pressures of what we “should be.”

That being said, here are a few things (personally tested by yours truly) that might help.

– When testing the limits of how far your vehicle can travel on E, keep a gas can in your car in case you find yourself stranded.

– Set multiple alarms to wake you up in the morning, like 10 if you have to.

– Make sure there’s money in your bank account before you go out to eat (again); this will reduce the shock later when you find out how poor you really are.