College Isn’t for Everyone (And That’s Okay) For years, the message was clear: Go to college. Get a degree. Land a great job. Live happily ever after. But here’s the reality check nobody warned us about: College isn’t a magic ticket. It’s not the only path to success. And it sure as hell isn’t for everyone. If you’ve ever sat in a classroom and felt completely disconnected from the lectures, the pressure, or the purpose—you’re not broken. You’re not lazy. You’re just not built to follow a path that wasn’t designed with you in mind. And that’s okay. The Pressure to Pick a Path At 18, you’re expected to: - Choose a major - Take out thousands in student loans - Decide your life’s direction based on very limited life experience That’s a lot to put on someone who just learned how to do laundry two months ago. The truth? College can be a great option—for some people. But it shouldn’t be the default. And it shouldn’t be forced on you like a one-size-fits-all solution. The Cost of Following the Crowd College debt is real. And it’s brutal. Tens of thousands of dollars just to figure out who you are and maybe discover you don’t want to work in that field anyway? That’s not a smart investment. That’s a gamble. Some people graduate inspired. Others graduate confused, overworked, and underpaid. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means the system is flawed. What Are the Other Options? Let’s get one thing straight: success has many paths. College is just one of them. Here are a few others: - Trade school (plumbers, welders, electricians are in high demand—and make bank) - Apprenticeships (learn while you earn) - Starting a small business - Freelancing or gig work - Tech bootcamps or certifications - Working your way up from an entry-level job - Taking a gap year to travel, volunteer, or explore your passions There’s no shame in choosing a different road. There’s power in knowing what works for you. What Really Matters In the real world, employers care about:

The Bank Is Not Your Friend (But You Need One Anyway) By Jamie Lambert Here’s a fun fact they don’t teach you in high school: Banks are in the business of making money off your money. Not handing out free cash like Oprah. When I first opened a bank account, I thought I was being all adult and responsible. I got a shiny debit card and felt unstoppable. Until I overdrafted $3.17 on a coffee and got slapped with a $35 fee. FOR. THREE. DOLLARS. That coffee cost me my soul and a chunk of my paycheck. 🤝 The Illusion of Friendship Banks seem helpful: - “Open a free checking account!” - “We’re here for your financial future!” - “Get a credit card and start building your dreams!” But behind the scenes? They’re watching every swipe, every slip-up, and every cent you don’t have. They profit from your overdrafts. They profit from your interest. They profit when you don’t read the fine print. So no, they’re not your friend. But… 🧠 You Still Need a Bank In the adult world, you can’t function without a bank: - You need it to get paid (direct deposit is a game-changer) - You need it to pay bills online - You need it to build a paper trail (especially for credit, housing, and jobs) So if you’re going to play the game, you better learn the rules. 💡 Bank Smart, Not Blind: Here are 6 survival tips you’ll wish someone told you sooner: 1. Never opt into overdraft “protection.”It’s not protecting you—it’s protecting them. It just means they’ll let you overdraft… and charge you for it. 2. Get a checking and savings account—separate them.Put your spending money in checking and your goals in savings. Don’t touch your savings unless it’s actually an emergency. 3. Use auto-alerts.Set up text alerts for low balances. That $4 coffee could cost you $40 if you’re not paying attention. 4. Understand your fees.ATM fees. Maintenance fees. Transfer limits. Read the fine print. 5. Don’t bounce checks.Yes, checks still exist. And bouncing one is like showing up to adulthood with “I’m not ready” stamped on your forehead. 6. Credit unions are often better.Less fees. More humanity. They’re like the chill cousin of big banks.

Credit Is Everything—And No One Told Me That By Jamie Lambert Quick question: Did anyone pull you aside at 18 and say, “Hey… don’t screw up your credit or you’ll be paying for it for the next 7–10 years”? No? Same. I was handed a diploma and a “Good luck!”—but no one warned me that credit is the invisible scorecard for adulthood. And trust me, it matters. 💀 The Harsh Reality: Credit affects everything: - Getting a car - Renting an apartment - Applying for a job (yes, some check it!) - Getting a phone plan - Even your insurance rates But most 18-year-olds are taught NOTHING about credit until it’s too late—when the damage is done and your score is lower than your GPA senior year. 🚩 My First Credit Mistake: Let me paint the picture: 18, excited, broke—but approved for a store credit card with a $500 limit. “Wow,” I thought, “I can finally get that new outfit for the party and pay it off later.” Spoiler: “Later” turned into “never,” and that $500 outfit ended up costing me over $1,000 with late fees, interest, and shame. I didn’t know that late payments and high balances kill your credit. No one told me the rules of the game. So I lost. 🧠 5 Credit Truths Every 18-Year-Old Should Know: 1. Credit is not free money.It’s a loan—with strings, interest, and consequences. 2. Your payment history matters most.Always pay at least the minimum. ON TIME. 3. Keep your balance under 30% of your limit.Got a $300 limit? Don’t spend more than $90. 4. Avoid co-signing.If they don’t pay, YOU suffer. Don’t be the hero. 5. Your score doesn’t define your worth—but it does define your access.Play it smart, and future-you will thank you. 🛠 What You Can Do Now: - Get a starter credit card and use it for ONE bill you can pay off each month (like Netflix or gas). - Check your score regularly. Sites like Credit Karma are free. - Build smart habits early. Set reminders, pay bills on time, and don’t spend what you don’t have.

No One Has It All Figured Out—They’re Just Better at Faking It By Jamie Lambert Let’s get one thing straight: Nobody knows what they’re doing at 18. Or 25. Or even 40. (Shocker, I know.) Some people just look like they’ve got it all together. Fancy clothes. Confident walk. A five-year plan and a cute apartment with plants that aren’t dead. But behind the scenes? They’re Googling “how to unclog a toilet without crying” and wondering if they can survive off energy drinks and vibes. 🎭 The Myth of Having It Together We live in a world that glorifies hustle, filters, and perfection. But perfection is a performance, not a reality. When I turned 18, I thought I was supposed to wake up one day and know how to do life. Like a magical download of adult knowledge would just happen overnight. Instead, I was overwhelmed, underprepared, and silently panicking in a room full of people pretending not to be. Here’s the truth: ✨ Adulthood isn’t a destination. It’s a messy, ongoing learning curve. 🙃 The Pressure to “Know” At 18, there’s pressure to: - Pick a career path (before you even know what you’re passionate about) - Go to college, trade school, or start working - Be independent, but also “make good choices” - Have it all figured out so you don’t “waste time” And when you don’t? You feel like you’re falling behind. But falling behind what, exactly? There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for life. There’s just YOURS. 💡 What to Do When You Feel Lost 1. Pause the comparison game.Social media is a highlight reel, not a reality show. 2. Ask questions. Lots of them.You’re not stupid—you’re learning. Keep learning. 3. Find people who admit they’re figuring it out too.These are your people. Trust me, you’ll breathe easier around them. 4. Remind yourself: You’re not behind. You’re beginning.Everyone starts somewhere. Even the ones who pretend they didn’t. 💬 Real Talk: What’s something you thought you’d already know by 18—but don’t?

What’s the worst part of adulting no one warned you about? Is it the bills? The never-ending laundry? The fact that dinner happens every single night and you have to figure it out? Drop your answer below. Let’s laugh, cry, and vent together because adulting is wild and we’re all just trying to survive it.