Adulting 101: First Semester Survival Guide
From Midnight Spaghetti to Morning Train Rides
Stepping into adulthood can be both exciting and terrifying.
Having just finished school, I moved from Berlin to Mannheim for my bachelor studies — a seven-hour drive away from everything familiar. I’ve taken my first steps not only towards an engineering degree but also into adulthood.
It’s been 12 years since those early days in Mannheim, but the memories are still vivid. Looking back at my first semester, here are my four key takeaways:
- The Power of Persistence: Keep going, even when it’s tough.
- Strength in Resilience: Each challenge is an opportunity to grow.
- Change Happens: Life is a series of experiments; adaptability is key.
- Be Kind to Yourself: It’s okay not to have everything figured out.
Let me take you through the journey that brought these insights to life.
|| Reality Hits Hard
Imagine stepping into a nearly empty flat on the fifth floor, with your parents’ footsteps fading away. The realization hits — you’re on your own now. Welcome to adulting 101.
I was 18, standing on the brink of adulthood, with a mix of excitement and sheer terror.
My mornings started in a blur of pre-dawn darkness, waking up at 5 AM to catch a 6 AM train. By 7:40, I was at work, trying to keep my eyes open in meetings and discovering the magical world of coffee. I didn’t even like coffee, but somehow everyone was drinking it.
To be honest, I suspect nobody loved pure black coffee from day one. We all get used to it while getting used to life, adulthood, and morning routines. And we learned to add some sugar, milk, and syrup to it (to life and coffee). But back to my story.
Imagine being 18, fresh out of the cocoon of home, and suddenly thrust into a world where you must iron suits, navigate the complexities of a washing machine, and figure out how to cook. The smell of spaghetti at 2 AM (yes, AM) became a comforting constant in my otherwise chaotic new life.
My roommate became more than just a roommate; he was a lifeline. We bonded over late-night gaming sessions and shared pizzas. Those moments were crucial for my mental survival. They reminded me that even in the most challenging times, connection can provide a sense of normalcy.
Those early months felt like riding an emotional roller-coaster: one moment filled with excitement, the next gripped by anxiety, and sometimes, just plain confusion. I felt confused a lot.
Moving from a place of security and familiarity to an unknown city, where everything was new and uncertain, felt like a leap into big empty space.
One of the most important lessons I learned was the power of persistence. There were countless moments when I wanted to give up, when the responsibilities felt too heavy. But pushing through those moments taught me resilience and revealed a strength I didn’t know I had.
|| Culinary Catastrophes and Laundry Lessons
I had a lot of fun learning how to be an adult.
I remember the first time I attempted to wash my clothes. Confused by the settings on the washing machine, I managed to shrink my favorite shirt and ruin a suit. It was a laundry disaster that left me wearing slightly snug clothes and a bruised ego.
Cooking was another battlefield. My initial culinary attempts resulted in burnt food and a kitchen that looked like a war zone. Out of frustration, I resorted to fast food for two weeks straight. On the bright side, I became quite the expert in pizza, döner, and Lipton Ice Tea.
I learned that adulting isn’t just about paying bills; it’s also about owning your decisions, both good and bad.
Retrospectively, creating a lottery account and spending some money on it was one of the bad ones.
It’s all about taking responsibility for yourself.
Despite these setbacks, the experience was invaluable. I learned resilience — not just the kind you read about in Psychology Today, but the real, “gritty kind” that comes from facing daily challenges and pushing through them. Each challenge was a lesson and a step toward mastering adulthood.
But persistence must be balanced with flexibility. It’s crucial to recognize when something isn’t working and be willing to change course.
My initial career ideas and plans shifted multiple times, from the Bundeswehr to psychology to engineering. Each twist was a response to new information and changing circumstances. It’s okay to explore different paths and find the one that aligns best with your values and aspirations.
|| From Chaos to Clarity
As I write here today, I realize how far I’ve come. This journey was about breaking free and developing my own life path.
I realized, adulthood isn’t just about adhering to social norms but about defining and creating your own path.
The once-overwhelming tasks of ironing suits, cooking meals, and managing finances have become second nature. The city that initially felt foreign and functional has turned into a place of countless memories.
I still remember the small window in our attic flat. It faced the sky, allowing me to see the city lights and stars. There was so much calmness in it. I loved it.
Looking back, I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. My first semester at university was just the beginning of a journey. It was a time of transition, filled with both challenges and triumphs.
It taught me to embrace change, take responsibility, be persistent, and find strength in resilience.
|| Adventure Continues
Everyone’s journey is unique. Some of your peers might seem like they have it all together, but everyone faces their own challenges and doubts. What matters is how you navigate your own path.
If there’s one piece of advice I would underline to anyone starting a similar journey, it’s this: Be kind to yourself. It’s okay to not have everything figured out.
Life is a series of experiments, and sometimes you’ll get it really, really wrong before you get it a little bit right. Trust in your abilities and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
So, to anyone standing before a new chapter: Take a deep breath, trust in yourself, and step forward.
Life is unpredictable, messy, and beautiful — just like my experience with coffee.
