Being in college is such an odd time in life. You’ve passed through childhood and made it through adolescence unscathed, but are you all grown up yet? The fact is, most of us live in the awkward space between “not a kid anymore” and “not quite ready to grow up.” Fear not, though, as there are easy ways to embrace a more “adult” life without sacrificing all the great things that come with being a kid.
####1. Get serious about your money
Financial literacy is important at any age, but college is where it becomes really necessary. Simply being mindful about where your money goes is a step in the right direction. The millennial solution? Download [Mint](https://www.mint.com), a crazy-popular, no-nonsense finance app that tracks your spending, guides your budgeting and helps you get a great idea of your financial situation.
####2. Read a book (and a newspaper)
Saying “I’m not a big reader” is not an excuse anymore. Can’t make it through novels? Check out short story collections or novellas. Does the thought of reading the news freak you out? Subscribe to [The Skimm](http://theskimm.com), a daily digest sent to your inbox each morning that breaks down the world’s news in an easily-readable format.
####3. Call your parents
If you’re like me at all, calling your parents doesn’t tend to make it to the top of your priority list. Whatever your situation may be, try to give them a call every week or two. They probably know much more than you do, and that can come in handy when you need some real advice.
####4. Pick up a hobby or two
In college, everyone’s busy. Whether it’s classes, volunteering, work, or any number of prior commitments, most of us barely have time to sleep, let alone add _another_ activity to our plate. The key is finding one thing you really love to do and making time for that at least once a week. Giving yourself something to look forward to can motivate you to stay on top of everything you need to do.
####5. Plan everything
Get yourself a calendar or planner, maintain a bulletin board, or use that calendar app in your phone you’ve never touched. At the beginning of the week, schedule everything that you know about for the week ahead. If anything comes up, you won’t be stuck double-booking yourself and looking like a fool later.
####6. Write a note (on paper)
It’s no secret that I love thank-you notes. I’ve written about them before, and I probably will write about them again. Simply put, a handwritten thank-you note is a mark of a true adult: someone who is mindful, courteous and grateful. Not to mention that the recipient will definitely think highly of you for the gesture.
####7. Learn everything about something
This one’s simple: find a topic you love and become an expert. Knowing something really thoroughly – yoga, baking, Asian history, indie folk fusion music – gives you an instant conversation topic and something to feel confident about. Plus, what’s better than becoming the go-to trivia night teammate because of your extensive knowledge of smooth jazz?
####8. Fake it ‘til you make it
Bottom line: None of us are adults. None of us know _everything_ we need to know about being independent and living our everyday lives. That’s completely OK. Just accept the fact that when you make mistakes, you will call your parents or hop on the internet, and you will get through it.