Remember when we were younger, we were in a rush to grow up? Well, at least I was. I wanted to be an adult so bad, because I despised the restrictions we all had as a kid. We can’t watch this, we can’t go out, we can’t eat this, we can’t drink that and other “cannot this and that’s”.

Though suddenly, the sun rose one morning and reality kicked in, I finally turned 18 and moved thousands of miles away from my family for college. At first, it was fun and games but now, I see why adulthood sucks.

As if living in the dorms wasn’t adult-y enough, since we were independently on our own, financial struggles expanded and began chasing me from behind. Although living in the dorms was a much easier way of living in the university, I could not take out anymore student loans. I decided to live off-campus.

At the age of 20, I’m suddenly paying my own rent, utilities and phone bills while working not-enough hours and getting paid about the same amount as my rent and also taking 18 credits in school. Fortunately, I have a few dollars leftover after everything to suffice my extra needs of setting time to have fun.

When I was younger, I was never warned about these obstacles. I probably was, I just never paid attention to it. Growing up, I did witness my parents struggling financially and I helped in ways I could but I never really felt-felt it, emotionally and physically.

Some people say they’re “adults” or “mature” because they’re finally in the real world. I mean, people can feel and be independent and still struggle through life, but being an adult is different from transitioning into being one. You never really feel the sense of “adulthood” or felt the “struggle” when you’re actually doing things on your own. By that, I mean, you receive no monetary allowances from your parents. You pay your bills from rent to car insurance to phone bills to tuition out of YOUR own pocket. You strive and work hard for it.

Despite of rough patches, you’re an adult when you can fully and absolutely say, “I can do life on my own”. There will definitely be some ups and downs along the way and when you think you can’t overcome them, it’s okay to ask your parents for help. Nevertheless, the key is to TRY.

Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday the only thing I worried about was misplacing a dress for my Barbie doll. I may not be the best at being frugal with money, but I do my best and manage to pay on time.

Although I generally refuse to ask my parents for help when it comes to money, I am greatly thankful that no matter what struggle they face, they still prioritize me when I do need their assistance.