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Student Life

21 Things That Every 21 Year-Old Should Know How To Do

Can you check all of these off?

Alyssa Tomcho

Nov 08, 2016

Wittenberg University

2039

21 Things That Every 21 Year-Old Should Know How To Do

H. Samuel

When I turned 21, I realized that I was finally an adult. People expected me to be independent, have a wide breadth of knowledge, and act my age. What I discovered was that the opposite seemed to be true. I need my parents’ help more than ever, I still have a lot to learn, and I wish that I could be a child again. Have you ever been looking for an adult when you realize that you are one? So then you look for an older adult? That pretty much sums up my existence as a 21-year-old so far.

There are so many things that I don’t know how to do yet, either because I haven’t needed to know or because no one has taught me. The day might come when I need these skills though, so I want to be prepared. These are the 21 things that I believe everyone should know how to do by their 22^nd birthday. Happy learning!

1. Change a flat tire

2. Sew by hand

3. Parallel park

4. Create a budget

5. Perform CPR

6. Use a hammer and drill, along with other tools

7. Cook, even simple dishes

8. Check your bank account and pay bills

9. Iron clothes

10. Grocery shop for healthy food

11. Navigate without a GPS

12. Self-defense

13. Write checks and balance a checkbook

14. Remove stains and do laundry

15. Send a professional sounding email

16. Stand up for yourself

17. Calculate a tip at a restaurant

18. Write a resumé and cover letter

19. Use coupons and shop for deals

20. Relax

21. Enjoy life

Many of these I have yet to learn, but I'm well on my way to becoming an adult. Before you know it, I'll be great at adulting, and then younger adults will come to me for help. That's a scary thought!

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

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Recommended for you

21 Things That Every 21 Year-Old Should Know How To Do

Can you check all of these off?

1. Change a flat tire

2. Sew by hand

3. Parallel park

4. Create a budget

5. Perform CPR

6. Use a hammer and drill, along with other tools

7. Cook, even simple dishes

8. Check your bank account and pay bills

9. Iron clothes

10. Grocery shop for healthy food

11. Navigate without a GPS

12. Self-defense

13. Write checks and balance a checkbook

14. Remove stains and do laundry

15. Send a professional sounding email

16. Stand up for yourself

17. Calculate a tip at a restaurant

18. Write a resumé and cover letter

19. Use coupons and shop for deals

20. Relax

21. Enjoy life

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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