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Ryan Paugh graduated from Penn State in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business. After working in corporate communications, freelance writing and reporting, he co-founded 
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I never thought I’d see the day when I told myself it was time to grow up. After graduation, I tried so hard to cling to my college mentality, visiting friends and doing “college things” again, but ultimately I needed a reality check.
“You can’t live this way forever.” I told myself. “It’s time to start acting like an adult.”
So I did…sort of. It’s more of an ongoing project of mine. Each day I try to do something to improve myself, but it’s no easy feat. Especially if you loved college as much as I did.
So whenever you’re ready to take the plunge, here are a few things I’ve been doing to forget about college living and move onto adulthood:
Get up in the morning
Mornings weren’t my thing in college. Truthfully, they still aren’t.
Unfortunately, the adult world could care less. It doesn’t operate on the out-all-night, sleep-all-day mantra of my college years.
So I’m training myself to be an early riser. I fell off the horse today, as slept in until 10. But I seldom wake up any later than 8:30 anymore.
After awhile it just happens naturally.
Take care of your body
The closest thing I knew to a healthy snack in college was the celery sticks I got with my buffalo wings. And that ain’t good.
Now that I’m out of college, I’m extremely conscious of my diet. And I also exercise regularly.
Not only do I feel better health-wise, but the boost in energy makes me more productive and more engaged when it comes to work.
Go on a date
Put a flock of horny college kids in a crowded place, add music and booze; and what do you get? The closest thing to dating there ever was before graduation.
Real dating is somewhat of a challenge when you’re used to the sleazy nature of college life. But I think I’ve figured it out.
Meet people outside of the realm of bars, clubs and parties. When there’s no drinking involved, you hold a better chance of making a real connection. And that’s what real dating is all about.
Make new friends
You’re best friends can be your worst nightmare when you’re trying to transition into adulthood. Not that I mind, but I still get roped into the ridiculous antics I thought I retired from after college.
I learned quickly that a big part of growing up is branching out. Meeting new people is an opportunity to act like an adult without having to live up to the childish expectations of the people who have known you forever.
Of course, you’re best friends will always be your best friends. And that’s good, because you can’t be mature always.
Well, you can…but you’re not much fun if you do.
Know how to have a good time
Alcoholic, workaholic, what’s the difference? Either way, you’re managing your life terribly.
Maturity means knowing when and how to flip the switch between work and life. And it’s a big challenge, don’t get me wrong.
Make enjoyment one of your top priorities while still remaining conscious of your other responsibilities. If you don’t, good times will always take the backseat to the mind-numbing day-to-day grind of adulthood.
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So true, Ryan
I’m an 28 year old entrepreneur still struggling to grow up. I’m pretty good at most of your points apart from the one about getting up in the morning - still doesn’t work for me. I classify that as one of the perks of being you own boss though.
Michael:
Sleeping in is definitely one of the perks of being your own boss. I guess we’re lucky since we both struggle with the waking up thing.
Even though I know I can get away with it, I’d like to try and steer away from the sleeping in. I have a lot of friends who are also entrepreneurs and they work so much more productively than I do because they’re early risers.
I couldn’t agree more. If those seem to hard I have a few other suggestions:
-call and email people back in a timely manner
-start being on time not just to work, but to life
-keep records of your bills and anything financial
-buy a plant and try to keep it watered and alive for at least a month
-write (with a paper and pen) thank you notes and then put them in the mail
I got these ideas by thinking of all the things that make me look up and go, “huh, i guess i’m kind of like an adult now”
Oh that reminds me of a new (non-profit I think) organization in Denmark called the B-Society. Studies show that up to a quarter of all people are B-persons that don’t really thrive on being early risers.
There is a couple of companies and one high school that has targeted B-people. Living in a flat world were people are scattered over all time zones makes it even more viable to work during the hours you find most productive.
Time to grow up…bummer, but necessary. To Ryan’s point about meeting new people:
–Get involved in professional organizations that pertain to your profession. Take a leading position within that organization to let those around you know that you are there to make a difference and contribute. This will also allow for the all-important social networking.
Nice article Paugh!
I take it a step further and am in the office by 7:30 AM. By the time everyone’s in the office, I’ve already gotten my morning up of coffee, checked and responded to e-mail/VM, and finished one productive task.
Meyer,
Thanks! I think organizations of any kind are a great way to meet people and network. One thing I think Gen-Ys should look for more in potential employers are what kind of “extra-curricular” organizations they offer. My previous corporate position had some great ways to get involved with the community, I wish I had taken advantage when I had the chance.
I’m a GenXer. I’m 38 years old and I am absolutely rolling my eyes at the lame, selfish, lazy attitudes expressed by some of you “millenials.” Where the hell did that stupid name come from anyway? It sounds like a freaking flower or something.
I have to say that I thought the baby boomers were the most pampered, spoiled, narcissistic generation but you people really take the cake. I hadn’t thought it possible but you are more self centered and spoiled than the boomers.
I loathe you all and I weep for the future.
Get your lazy “millenial” asses out of bed and get to work! And no, I don’t care how you “feel” about anything. Do the work or be fired. It’s that simple. No one cares about what you want or how you want life to be, get over it. Everybody else had to and you will too. And no, mummy and daddums will not be there to wipe your ass for you and hold your hand every step of the way, so grow up you whiny little narcissistic turds.
Have a nice day.
Bob
Bob,
With such negative viewpoints as these, I’m glad we’re able to give our generation a voice in this world.
Don’t appreciate being called a turd, but thanks for reinforcing our mission.
-Paugh
@Bob,
You may be 38 but you have the maturity of a 10-year-old. Why don’t you quit complaining and try to change things?
Ryan, props for taking a risk and going against the grain. It’s truly admirable, makes me want to leave my cubicle and start something myself.
Emily
Bob,
I highly doubt you’ll be back on here to follow up on your lovely “motivational insult”, but I’m going to respond anyway, even though my parents have always tought me never to engage in a battle of wits with an un-armed man.
Are you capable of reading comprehension? You do realize that this article goes against what the typical perception of millenials is? That Ryan has given some good suggestions on what it means to be an adult, a concept that many of us Gen-Yers supposedly have issues with?
Anyways, back to discussion with those who possess multi-digit IQs…
Ryan - I really feel like I need to send to this to some of my friends, you know, the “wooooooo let’s go out partying on a Tuesday, stay up till 2am playing xbox, then nod off at work then next day” crowd.
And I can verify that it definitely is possible to “train” oneself to wake up earlier. If you had told me 5 years ago that I’d occasionaly get up at 5:30 to go the gym before work, I would’ve have a laughing fit that would’ve lasted a good 20-30 minutes.
In the last year, I quit my job and have started my own self employment for a living; and things are going great. I now wake up in the mornings at my choosing; it seems easier for me to wake up at 9 in the morning for my jog rather than to wake up at 8:30 to stroll into the office to a nice, warm desk filled with crap to do. Not only that, I feel that the added sleep has helped me lose weight over the past year.
I can sleep in when I want to, obv, and I can take vacations whenever I choose. I also have been more productive in my life BEFORE I was a 9-to-5 dude ranging from cleaning my own home, to participating in an animal rescue leage, to organizing my video game/DVD/book collection, and having a goal via planner on my PDA to watch, learn, and cook a tasty yet healthy new dish (usually from Simply Ming) each week.
I like working for myself because I am more motivated for MYSELF rather than for someone else. I can set the days, and hours, on which I can be productive without anyone hovering over me with micromanagement telling me why my writing on the TPS reports is too big.
If I screw up, it’s my fault and I have to find the right way to correct it AND do so in a timely manner.
As long as you realize that, IMO, you are on the right path to succeed.
Now all I have to do is fade bad luck, and I think I should be scot free!
Another idea…get your finances in order. No more cash advances on credit cards, begging the parents for money…instead start trying to pay down debts, establish a monthly budget, save for an emergency fund, and make sure to get in on a 401(K) if your company offers and try out some small scale investing (i.e. ETFs/Index funds) if you can afford it. You feel more in control when you have a clear picture of how much money is coming in and going out. It doesn’t matter how much or little you make, there is always a need to budget and ways to save for the future.