Becoming an adult can be both a blessing and a burden. With sweet independence comes various responsibilities. Educational institutions prepare you for employment and adulthood by teaching you theoretical knowledge. But you’ll have to learn a lot of practical lessons by yourself. As they say, the experience is the best teacher. Here are some things that young adults should know:
1. Laws Are Not Made to Be Broken
You may think that getting high during the weekend is harmless. But it may lead to serious consequences due to strict drug laws such as Utah’s. In such cases, a good defense lawyer in Salt Lake City is your hope. Otherwise, you could face six months of jail time for an ounce or less of marijuana. You could also get a mark on your criminal record that can hurt your employment chances. An article by the National Institute of Justice has shown that a criminal record lowers the chances of receiving a job offer or callback by 50%.
To learn about treatment for drug addiction, take time to research the available options.
2. Your Credit Score Is Not to Be Taken Lightly
Credit scores affect your personal and professional life. It can influence your ability to buy a house, get a loan to start your business, and acquire decent interest rates for credit cards. It can also be a factor when you’re looking for a job or an apartment. Experian’s Alex Linter has pointed out that a credit score is your financial reputation represented in numbers. That is why it’s important to establish a good credit score early on.
You can do so by becoming an authorized user on someone’s credit card account. Make sure that the owner has excellent credit for this method to work. If you don’t have a relative or friend you can ask, you can get a card on your own. It’s best to get one under an institution that reports to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Once you acquire it, make small purchases and pay them off before or on the due date. You’ll get a good credit score in no time.
3. Health Should Be Prioritized
Once you have a full-time job and an active social life, it can be easy to neglect your health. A study has found the young adults have poorer health compared to the other generations. It’s vital to be proactive when caring for your body. Perhaps you’re not ready to let go of your favorite indulgent treats, or working out doesn’t appeal to you. But you don’t have to go vegan and cut cheese and meat out of your life. You can add vegetables and fruits gradually into your diet. You should also reduce your consumption of unhealthy food from daily to occasionally. Harvard’s nutritionist scientists have created a list of food to avoid.
Being a fully-fledged adult has its advantages and disadvantages. You can achieve happiness and contentment by making the right decisions. Although you’re bound to make mistakes, you can avoid regrets by weighing the consequences and learning accurate information.