Nobody stays in their teenage years forever no matter how hard they wish. Pretty soon you’ll find yourself lost in the jungle of the adult world. If you think you’re prepared for it, think again, most adults even have no clue on what they’re doing with their life until now. You’re no exception. You’ve never been more of an adult as you are right now in this very moment so here are 8 realizations that might help you navigate the dangerous waters better.

1. There will be no more spontaneous class suspensions to look forward to

One of the few things that bring a student joy is the news of suspension. It might be due to the weather, a national holiday, or an event in the area, the point is they won’t have classes for that particular day. For working adults, spontaneous suspensions don’t really apply. Heck for some all kinds of suspension don’t apply! You’re an adult, you’re now invincible. You are waterproof, transportation strike proof, and sometimes even holiday-proof!

2. The hardest part in a first job is finding it

The hunt for that first job will frustrate you. Here you are hungry to show the world what you can do and yet nobody seems to recognize what you’re capable of. There might be long months where you’re jobless and hopeless but as cliché as it might sound, you have to keep going. Submit those resumes and believe in yourself and you’ll find that you’ll land that first job. And in all the hardships you’ve been through to get that job you’ll value it more and work hard because you know it’s worth the wait.

3. Some friendships are meant to end naturally and without any hard feelings involved

There are people from your class that you know as soon as you throw those graduation caps in the air you’ll never see them again. You’ve both accepted that fact. But there are also friendships that gradually dissipate throughout the years after school and it will make you sad but there’s nothing you can do. There’s that quote that some friendships are there for a reason, some for a season, and others for a lifetime. Maybe that particular friend doesn’t have any roles to play in your life anymore and that’s okay.

4. When life gives you problems, you’re meant to solve it by yourself and you can actually solve it by yourself

Being thrown into the adult world might disorient you for a while. After depending on adults all your life you’re suddenly one – a person younger people depend on. You’re suddenly standing, no longer propped up by academic books and kind teachers and your parents’ helping hands. You need to solve problems at work on your own. What’s more startling than that fact is the fact that you actually can if you tried, you just have to remember to breathe. It’ll feel really rewarding after, trust me.

5. You’ll miss your parents now more than ever

I wasn’t a ‘rebel teenager’ growing up but I didn’t exactly see eye to eye with my parents either. Like any other teenager for the longest time I wanted them to leave my life alone. I could handle things, I thought. Here’s a piece of truth: you’ll find yourself missing your parents as a working adult more than ever. You’re at your 9-to-5 job and you get home late, tired, you don’t have time for them anymore. But even though you might not have time they will always be a text and a call away, always being the number one people who believed in you.

6. Every expense you make is now on you

Even if you still live under your parents’ roof, all your expenses are on you if you’re a decent person. It’ll be embarrassing and downright wrong to let your parents continue giving you allowance from their own salaries, unless they can really afford it. But having a job and being an adult means you have to pay for your own expenses: clothes, food, bills. Life is not easy my friend, so budget it.

7. You don’t need to rush being in a relationship, enjoy what you have now

Because think about it! If you’re in a relationship your focus will be split from family and career. You’ll realize that you don’t have to rush it because you have every faith that you’ll get there in the end. Where you are now is meant to shape you for the future so you better train your focus on improving yourself. Besides love is like a butterfly, you have to be not looking for it to settle lightly on your shoulder.

8. The perfect hangout with friends doesn’t necessarily have to involve bars and booze

A day away from the city, feeling the sand on your toes and just eating a quiet breakfast with your friends is sometimes all the inspiration you need. You might enjoy the rowdy bar and drinking scene but the serenity of a quick getaway is infinite times better.

What were your experiences? Share them with us  below!