You finally made it. College! After twelve years of school in your hometown, you now have the opportunity to break free and discover who you are, who you want to be, and where you want to go. Now is the time for you to be selfish, adventurous, and curious about the world around you. This is most likely the first time in your life that you have had this level of independence and responsibility.
The first time you don’t have a set schedule or someone above you telling you what you need to do next. The first time in your life that you have the freedom to choose anything for yourself. But let’s pump the brakes for a minute.
Choices have consequences. As you enter adulthood, you need to know how to leverage your independence responsibly so that you know how to prevent negative consequences to your actions, and to know how to overcome challenges and make healthy decisions.
What Does Independence Look Like?
What does it mean to be independent and responsible? Independence and responsibility are two of the most important qualities to have to be a successful adult. They must work together; you cannot have one without the other. Being responsible means that you can manage events in your life.
This includes implementing healthy habits, getting to class or work on time, and submitting papers before the deadline. Having independence means that you can take responsibility for yourself without relying on the help of someone else. This looks like admitting when you’re wrong, correcting your mistakes, and completing tasks on your own.
Cool, so how do I apply that as a young adult?
We are glad you asked! If you’ve made it this far under your family’s roof, you’ve probably been asked to take on certain chores or tasks to help your family around the house or take responsibility for younger siblings or other family members. Think of one of these tasks and hold it in your mind.
Now, before you started this task, did you think about how long it would take you to complete it? Or…
- Did you plan to complete this task with enough time to spare?
- Did you think through the most efficient way to conduct this task?
- Did you consider any issues that may arise and try to prevent them?
- While performing this task, did you complete it within the given time frame?
- Did you complete it correctly the first time around so that you won’t have to do it again later?
- When you were finished with this task, did you think about how it could go better next time?
- Did you identify areas that need improvements, or that need to be omitted next time?
Congratulations, you just took independence and responsibility into your own hands! Having independence and responsibility as a young adult in college allows you to manage your time and schedule well, complete tasks correctly, and take ownership of your actions.
If a task did not come to mind in the exercise above, ask your family how they can guide you in taking on more responsibilities at home before you leave for college. This may sound like a pain, but nurturing these qualities will make the rest of your life so much easier.
10 Ways to Harness Your Independence
A major part of your college life is about taking ownership of your choices and time—otherwise known as being independent and responsible. Now is a pivotal time in your life when you need to get comfortable with trusting your judgment and finding approval within yourself.
Here are a few areas of life in which you can begin exercising your independence:
- Financial Responsibility: Take charge of your finances by creating a budget, tracking expenses, and saving money. Learn about managing bank accounts, credit cards, and investments.
- Decision-Making: Make your own choices and take responsibility for their outcomes. Seek advice from trusted mentors, but trust yourself to make informed decisions.
- Time Management: Develop effective time management skills to balance academic, work, and personal commitments. Set goals and prioritize tasks to achieve a sense of accomplishment.
- Living Space Responsibilities: Contribute to maintaining a clean and organized living space. This shows responsibility and consideration for others in your home.
- Personal Growth: Pursue hobbies, interests, or activities that help you grow and develop as an individual. Explore new experiences to broaden your horizons.
- Communication Skills: Practice open and effective communication with family, friends, and colleagues. Express your thoughts, needs, and emotions respectfully.
- Conflict Resolution: Learn to address conflicts constructively and seek resolutions that respect different perspectives.
- Health and Wellness: Take care of your physical and mental well-being by adopting a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress.
- Networking: Build a support network of friends and mentors who can offer guidance and encouragement during this transitional period.
- Educational and Career Exploration: Explore various educational and career paths to determine your interests and aspirations. Seek internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs to gain practical experience.
Final Thoughts on Independence and Responsibility
Remember, independence is a gradual process, and it’s okay to seek help and support along the way. Embrace these opportunities to grow, and don’t be afraid to embrace the challenges that come with newfound independence. You can harness your independence by making choices on your own accord. With that being said, it is also important to recognize that your choices can, and often will, impact others.
All of this decision-making is hard work! The plus side is that all of this practice builds your confidence and sharpens your problem-solving skills. When you prove to yourself that you are capable of taking the reigns of your independence, you are more likely to continue making healthy choices, overcoming challenges, and seeking high-quality experiences and relationships.
Being independent heightens your self-esteem and empowers you to be open to new opportunities. The more you practice independence and responsibility, the better you are preparing yourself for greatness.
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Are you ready to show the world that you have what it takes to maintain your independence and responsibility as a young adult? We can help you start by taking financial responsibility into your own hands. Whether you are a high school student staring at the finish line, or in college and scrambling for more control of your life, our Financial Planner can help you get there.
