14 Ways I Grew Up This Semester | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

14 Ways I Grew Up This Semester

I'm only 19, but sometimes I feel like I'm 30.

74
14 Ways I Grew Up This Semester
Kayci Kimmons

Growing up is a paradox. Everybody wants to do it...but also, nobody does. Somewhere along the way, I crossed an invisible threshold, and I became one of the people who's sick of growing up. Some of the "real" adults in my life, i.e. my mother, would probably hit me if she heard me say that, and I would absolutely understand. I haven't even been on this earth for 20 years yet, and here I am complaining.

But I have to say, the little taste of adulthood that I've experienced so far has been pretty difficult, and some of it was even scary. At the same time, though, I can't fear the future because it's coming whether I like it or not. I honestly don't want to fear growing up because it's a part of life, and most of the time I'm happy when I'm able to do things on my own. Sure beats those permission slips I used to have to get my mom to sign...

Here are 14 ways that I grew up this semester. I bet you can relate to some!

1. I got in my first wreck

I got rear-ended while trying to go get some Buffalo Wild Wings! I definitely had a fun time explaining to the police what happened that day.

2. I took myself to the doctor 

My immune system seems to weaken the longer I live in the dorms. Sometimes I hate how nasty--I mean, lovely the people are in my dorm :)

3. I thought about going to the movies by myself

I'll probably end up actually doing this in the near future since nobody seems to love movies as much as I do. Or maybe they just aren't willing to pay the $9.50, which I totally understand, since I barely have that kind of money to spare.

4. I signed a lease

You heard it here first people: I'm getting an apartment! And it's going to be right behind the movies!

5. I made travel plans

It sounds babyish, but I've never been able to create my own travel plans unless my mom was also going on the trip...until now! I'm headed to Miami in December!

6. I bought pots and pans

Fun fact: cooking's actually a great stress reliever, and it'll stop you from having to go to the union so much!

7. I got my oil changed in my car

This gif accurately describes how I felt when my mom told me that I had to go get my oil changed. But it actually wasn't so bad!

8. I made a budget

I encourage everyone to do this. It may not make you feel good, but it's very insightful, and it'll make you more conscious about your money (or lack thereof).

9. I filled out an I-9 document 

It's funny, I didn't even know what this was before I did it. But now that I do, I feel very much like an adult.

10. I started designing a business

This is a work in progress...stay tuned!

11. I voted 

It felt very good to be able to make decisions for my state this year.

12. I read a book about money

Tip: you should do this, and then make your budget! Get ready to impress some people with what you've learned.

13. I made my own website/blog

This is one of the best decisions I've made this year. Everyone should have an outlet where they can express themselves, and my website is mine!

14. I built my own furniture

No, it wasn't out of Legos. I even figured out how to hook up our TV.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

703
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree Lights
Pixabay

It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.

1. The Christmas decorations

I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with santa hat
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter

Keep Reading...Show less
mistake
Project Eve

Mistakes are something we all make, no matter how old we get. Most of the time, the mistakes we made are little and sometimes due to something out of our control. Yet, there are mistakes that are bigger than others. Personally, I have mistakes that I wish I could go back and undo. Here they are:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

12716
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments