• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » 10 Steps to Sounding Like an Adult
Career

10 Steps to Sounding Like an Adult

Facebook Tweet
Erin Nebbia   February 2, 2016

As a college student preparing to enter the real world, I often find myself on Google panicking about the future. Where should I go to get a job for my major? How should I dress for an interview? What’s a 401K?! We’ve all been there, and it’s moments like this where it really hits me–once college is over, we’ll actually have to be adults. Luckily, College Mag is here to help with a 10-step guide to sounding like (and actually being) a true adult.

10. Dress the Part

giphy.com
giphy.com

The first step to convincing the world that you’re a real adult is to look like one. If you’re a girl, consider investing in a business dress or suit. If you’re a guy, it’s time to pull out that suit and tie your mom was always trying to get you to wear to family gatherings. First impressions are everything, so make it a good one.

9. Learn Eye Contact

giphy.com
giphy.com

For some people, this is the most uncomfortable part of adulthood. In a professional setting, people are always expecting you to look deep into their eyes like a Valentine’s Day date. It shows that you’re engaged and interested. If you struggle with this type of gesture, try practicing it with family and friends.

8. Have Confidence

giphy.com
giphy.com

This is no time to be shy. Hold your head high and keep your back straight. Confidence is key to being an adult, and your future co-workers will definitely respect your headstrong and committed attitude.

7. Take Control

giphy.com
giphy.com

We’re talking finances here. Adults are not financially dependent on their parents, so you shouldn’t be either. It’s important to understand the value of money before you can truly be an adult, so try to keep track of how much money you borrow, and how much you have actually earned. Start taking an interest in doing your own taxes and paying your own bills.

6. Drop the “Likes” and “Ums”

giphy.com
giphy.com

Filler words are hard to stop, but it’ll be a lot harder trying to go through your adult life sounding like a teenage valley girl. Try practicing when you’re out with friends by keeping track of how many times you say “like” and “um,” and cut back a little each day. You’ll sound much more adult-like and your confidence will skyrocket.


trending

371

10 Student Organizations Breaking the Mold at Berkeley

247

The Teacher I Hated Changed my College Journey

170

Top 10 Spots Around Emerson College to Get Inspired


5. Get the Selfies Under Control

giphy.com
giphy.com

You’ve probably never seen an office worker sitting on their phone behind a desk Snapchatting away. Although it’s hard to fight the addiction, it’s sadly very unprofessional to always be on your phone. College is the perfect time to start getting it together when it comes to showing a little self-control phone-wise. Put it away while you’re in class, studying or even socializing with friends to start practicing for the real world of adulthood.

4. Be On Time

giphy.com
giphy.com

In college, you may be used to staying up until all hours of the night only to roll out of bed around 11 or 12 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, in the adult world, this is not how it works. You’ll have to start adjusting to waking up before 7 a.m., which means you may want to consider being in bed before 11 p.m. Regardless of how you organize your sleeping schedule, just be sure you’re awake and ready to go, making sure to always be early or on time.

3. Avoid Gossip

giphy.com
giphy.com

Even in the adult world, gossip still exists. Office rumors spread like wildfire, and the last thing you want to do is get involved. If middle school and high school taught you anything, it should have been that playing into drama never works out well for anyone. Avoid the water cooler and get back to work.

2. Get the Job Done

giphy.com
giphy.com

In college, you may have gotten away with slacking off on a few assignments here and there. In the real world, if you’re given a job to do, you’ll be fully expected to get it done, and get it done well. As an aspiring adult, learn to take your work seriously, and always finish what you start.

1. Thank You Notes

giphy.com
giphy.com

This may feel a little cliché, but never underestimate the power of a good thank you note after a job interview or meeting. It takes just a few minutes to do, but it shows a great amount of commitment and effort to whoever is receiving it.

Adulthood may appear to be a little intimidating, but a professional lifestyle is a small price to pay for independence and a great job. Your life is just beginning, and with these simple steps, you’ll be fully prepared to tackle everything that the adult world has to throw at you.

About Erin Nebbia

Erin is a broadcast journalism major at the University of Maryland. She enjoys acrylic painting, playing piano, and long-distance running. Erin also enjoys skiing and snowboarding in her hometown of Buffalo, New York.

10 Things You Can Gain From an Internship

Concrete Activism: How to Become a Labor Organizer

CM’s Guide to the Los Angeles Times Summer Internship

Top 10 Networking Opportunities at William & Mary

10 Ways to Dip Your Toe in the Professional World

Does My Professor Really Make That Much?

Student Leaders: Q&A with University of Northern Iowa Class President Leila Masinovic

5 Do’s and Don’ts That Will Sharpen Your Internship Applications

Top 10 Things to Know About Self-Publishing a Book

Previous Post:Is Gen Y the Abercrombie Generation?
Next Post:Top 21 Dares for Your 21st Birthday

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding