ADULTING

adult·ing

/əˈdəltiNG,ˈaˌdəltiNG/

noun

INFORMAL

  1. the practice of behaving in a way characteristic of a responsible adult, especially the accomplishment of mundane but necessary tasks.

Today, some young people are moving away from home or out of campus housing only to find that they lack some of the basic skills they need to “make it” on their own. These include everything from making relationships work and managing finances to having basic job skills and taking care of household needs. The young adults who are transitioning to college or work need these essential life skills in order to become successful adults. Things like knowing how and where to meet other people, balancing a bank account/check book, making a hotel/airline reservation, that “real adults” may take for granted, need to be taught. Adulting classes help young adults become capable, responsible and self-sufficient adults.

Dr. Krichmar offers Adulting Classes in individual sessions and in groups. Some of the areas she covers and skills she teaches are:

RELATIONSHIP/DATING SKILLS

Young adults today grew up with social media, and many have in-person relationship skills that are lacking. While they are highly proficient with technology, they’re more deficient in “people skills” that enable us to effectively and harmoniously communicate with each other. These skills include listening, negotiating, reading body language and feeling empathy. Some of the relationship skills that Dr. Krichmar teaches are:

  • Listening and communication skills
  • Knowing how and where to meet other people
  • Conflict resolution
  • Putting forward your best self on social media
  • Making meaningful connections with others in real life and in person
  • Increasing emotional intelligence

FINANCIAL AND JOB SKILLS

Some of the financial and job skills that Dr. Krichmar teaches include:

  • Balancing a bank account/check book
  • Creating and sticking to a budget
  • Establishing and maintaining good credit
  • Understanding the difference between a debit and credit card
  • Creating a system for paying bills on time
  • Saving money
  • Making wise purchases by comparison shopping
  • Identifying strengths and values and finding a job that uses both
  • Resume writing
  • Interviewing skills
  • Customer service skills
  • Maintaining a work-life balance

Other skills that make-up adulting and are taught may include:

  • Time management skills, which keep stress levels down
  • Study skills for people entering college or graduate school
  • Maintaining a work-life balance
  • Domestic skills – basic skills that young adults need to take care of their home and personal belongings.