Latest news with #Adulting101
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Canadian university launches 'Adulting 101' course
A renowned Canadian university has launched a bizarre 'Adulting 101' crash course for pampered students who can't perform the most basic life tasks like changing a tire, buying groceries or doing laundry. In an era dominated by digital innovation, Generation Z - or those born between 1997 and 2012 - are in desperate need of practical knowledge that older generations might otherwise consider 'common sense'. 'I don't know how to change a tire. I don't have a car at all,' Aldhen Garcia, a first-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), told CBC's The Current . 'I don't know how to sew,' he added. 'I don't know how to do a lot of things, other than cooking.' The University of Waterloo, a top-ranked institution in Ontario known for its programs in math, computer science and engineering, has responded to the growing demand by launching the online course - Adulting 101. Adulting 101 is designed to teach basic life skills that Gen Z often struggles with, including cooking, budgeting, basic nutrition, laundry and even navigating a grocery store. 'You've probably already started to notice that things won't get done unless you do them,' a course description on the university's website reads . 'From managing your finances, grocery shopping, keeping your laundry whites... white, staying organized - there are a lot of important life skills you might have wished you learned sooner.' Beyond teaching basic life skills, the program emphasizes mental and physical health - encouraging students to explore their personal growth. The university also offers skill evaluations to help students identify their strengths and areas for improvement. 'What you're experiencing is normal,' director of student success Pam Charbonneau said in a message to those struggling. 'A lot of your peers are going through the same thing at the same time.' The course covers everything from maintaining healthy relationships, practicing fire safety in the kitchen and changing a tire. For many, the course has been a saving grace - not only helping them personally, but also boosting their daily confidence in navigating the ins and outs of adulthood. According to Charbonneau, many students report feeling anxious or stressed as they figure out their life post-secondary school, and that access to resources like 'Adulting 101' helps normalize their experiences. She added that many students have also expressed a wish that they had learned these skills earlier in life. Experts have attributed the generation's lack of skills to several factors, including the decreasing independence these young adults are given during childhood. Jean Twenge (pictured), a researcher and psychology professor at San Diego State University, suggests that prolonged adolescence and 'helicopter' parenting have delayed development among Gen Z. Twenge, who studies generational differences, argued that limiting children's freedom and failing to teach them practical skills is only doing them 'a disservice', as reported by CBC. 'We send them off to adulthood without other skills,' she told the outlet. 'If they're not learning how to make decisions on their own and solve problems, that can be challenging.' As the author of several books, Twenge has extensively researched how a lack of foundational knowledge leaves young people more prone to making costly mistakes in everyday life. In her 2017 book titled iGen, Twenge introduced the concept of the 'slow life strategy' - an idea where people live longer, spend more time in school and parents tend to have fewer children, but raise them with greater care and intention. This approach, she explained, often leads to kids gaining independence later than previous generations. Another reason for the gap may be that students are living at home for longer periods, which often results in them taking on fewer responsibilities as parents continue to manage the household tasks. She encouraged parents to move away from the mindset that they must do everything for their children, and instead start involving them in tasks like cooking and laundry at an earlier age. However, Twenge's primary concern while analyzing the gap is the rising rates of depression and other mental health issues among young people. A 2023 commentary published in the Journal of Pediatrics reviewed dozens of studies and reports, concluding that the rise in mental health issues among young people is linked to fewer opportunities for children and teens to socialize away from adults. The commentary suggested that depriving young people of independence can contribute to elevated levels of anxiety and depression.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woke university launches 'Adulting 101' course for embarrassingly basic life skills fragile students can't handle
A renowned Canadian university has launched a bizarre 'Adulting 101' crash course for pampered students who can't perform the most basic life tasks like changing a tire, buying groceries or doing laundry. In an era dominated by digital innovation, Generation Z - or those born between 1997 and 2012 - are in desperate need of practical knowledge that older generations might otherwise consider 'common sense'. 'I don't know how to change a tire. I don't have a car at all,' Aldhen Garcia, a first-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), told CBC's The Current. 'I don't know how to sew,' he added. 'I don't know how to do a lot of things, other than cooking.' The University of Waterloo, a top-ranked institution in Ontario known for its programs in math, computer science and engineering, has responded to the growing demand by launching the online course - Adulting 101. Adulting 101 is designed to teach basic life skills that Gen Z often struggles with, including cooking, budgeting, basic nutrition, laundry and even navigating a grocery store. 'You've probably already started to notice that things won't get done unless you do them,' a course description on the university's website reads. 'From managing your finances, grocery shopping, keeping your laundry whites... white, staying organized - there are a lot of important life skills you might have wished you learned sooner.' Beyond teaching basic life skills, the program emphasizes mental and physical health - encouraging students to explore their personal growth. The university also offers skill evaluations to help students identify their strengths and areas for improvement. 'What you're experiencing is normal,' director of student success Pam Charbonneau said in a message to those struggling. 'A lot of your peers are going through the same thing at the same time.' The course covers everything from maintaining healthy relationships, practicing fire safety in the kitchen and changing a tire. For many, the course has been a saving grace - not only helping them personally, but also boosting their daily confidence in navigating the ins and outs of adulthood. According to Charbonneau, many students report feeing anxious or stressed as they figure out their life post-secondary school, and that access to resources like 'Adulting 101' helps normalize their experiences. She added that many students have also expressed a wish that they had learned these skills earlier in life. The university's director of student success, Pam Charbonneau, said that many students report feeing anxious or stressed as they figure out their life post-secondary school, and that access to resources like 'Adulting 101' helps normalize their experiences Experts have attributed the generation's lack of skills to several factors, including the decreasing independence these young adults are given during childhood. Jean Twenge, a researcher and psychology professor at San Diego State University, suggests that prolonged adolescence and 'helicopter' parenting have delayed development among Gen Z. Twenge, who studies generational differences, argued that limiting children's freedom and failing to teach them practical skills is only doing them 'a disservice', as reported by CBC. 'We send them off to adulthood without other skills,' she told the outlet. 'If they're not learning how to make decisions on their own and solve problems, that can be challenging.' As the author of several books, Twenge has extensively researched how a lack of foundational knowledge leaves young people more prone to making costly mistakes in everyday life. In her 2017 book titled iGen, Twenge introduced the concept of the 'slow life strategy' - an idea where people live longer, spend more time in school and parents tend to have fewer children, but raise them with greater care and intention. This approach, she explained, often leads to kids gaining independence later than previous generations. Another reason for the gap may be that students are living at home for longer periods, which often results in them taking on fewer responsibilities as parents continue to manage the household tasks. Twenge's primary concern while analyzing the basic skill gap is the rising rates of depression and other mental health issues among young people in Gen Z (pictured: Twenge) She encouraged parents to move away from the mindset that they must do everything for their children, and instead start involving them in tasks like cooking and laundry at an earlier age. However, Twenge's primary concern while analyzing the gap is the rising rates of depression and other mental health issues among young people. A 2023 commentary published in the Journal of Pediatrics reviewed dozens of studies and reports, concluding that the rise in mental health issues among young people is linked to fewer opportunities for children and teens to socialize away from adults. The commentary suggested that depriving young people of independence can contribute to elevated levels of anxiety, depression and suicide. 'Self-advocacy is probably the most important piece and probably where the gap is right when they come in, if they really haven't had to do much of that before,' Charbonneau said, as reported by CBC. 'You see their shoulders drop when they realize there's actually someone and something here to help me solve my problem.' Other universities have also began offering programs that address topics such as planning, finances and first aid. While Twenge supports universities offering basic life skills courses for Gen Z, she emphasizes that the real solution must start much earlier.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
What's 'Adulting 101' Crash Course That Assists Gen Z In Basic Life Skills
Generation Z is scurrying to sign up for 'Adulting 101' crash courses to learn basic life skills such as changing a tyre, making rice, and doing laundry - things their parents or even the preceding generation considered a walk in the park. Several Gen Z students admit they wish they had learnt these skills sooner because they feel anxious and overwhelmed while navigating daily life. Aldhen Garcia, a first-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), claimed that he does not own a car and lacks several essential life skills, such as sewing and tyre changing. "I have no idea how to change a tyre. I don't even own a car. I don't know how to sew. Other than cooking, I'm not really good at many things," Mr Garcia said on CBC's 'The Current '. Mr Garcia also has money-related concerns, such as mortgages, interest rates, and rent payments. "I believe that teaching financial literacy to children is important. A lot of stuff involves money," he said. She is not alone. Bella Hudson, a third-year student at the TMU, echoed Mr Garcia, saying education on becoming an adult is lacking in several fields. "I wish that they had classes that educated how to manage yourself and manage your life," Ms Hudson said on 'The Current,' Now, multiple post-secondary educational institutions have introduced additional resources, such as classes and information sessions, to help students acquire basic life skills, The NY Post reported. In 2023, the University of Waterloo created an online course called 'Adulting 101' to teach students everything, from how to avoid setting your kitchen on fire to how to have meaningful relationships. The course also aims to assist students in managing their responsibilities while providing them with knowledge about key life skills such as basic nutrition, household upkeep, and grocery shop navigation. According to experts, Gen Z in particular is losing out on important skills since they were not given enough independence. San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge, author of 'Generations,' claimed that today's young adults were entering adulthood with empty arsenals. According to Ms Twenge, members of the Gen Z demographic - those born between 1997 and 2012 - had fewer opportunities to acquire practical skills growing up. She blamed prolonged adolescence and "helicopter parenting," further exacerbated by the growing number of young adults living with their parents. Although she is in favour of 'Adulting 101' crash courses, Ms Twenge feels the real fix begins sooner because ignorance of basic life skills is expensive.
New York Post
26-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Gen Z is signing up for ‘Adulting 101' classes — because they can't handle even basic life skills: ‘A lot of stuff involves money'
They can code TikToks in their sleep — but can't cook rice without a YouTube tutorial. Gen Z is flocking to 'Adulting 101' crash courses, desperate to learn what previous generations might call common sense: how to do laundry, budgeting for rent or navigating a grocery store without Googling 'what is a turnip?' 'I don't know how to change a tire. I don't have a car at all. I don't know how to sew. I don't know how to do a lot of things, other than cooking,' admitted Aldhen Garcia, a freshman at Canada's Toronto Metropolitan University, on CBC's 'The Current.' 'I think it's so important that children are taught financial literacy. A lot of stuff involves money,' he added. He's not alone. Canadian colleges like the University of Waterloo are stepping in to teach the basics with online toolkits like 'Adulting 101,' which covers everything from healthy relationships to how not to set your kitchen on fire. 3 Aldhen Garcia, a freshman at Toronto Metropolitan University, confessed on CBC's 'The Current' that he lacks many basic life skills — from changing a tire to sewing — and doesn't even own a car. AntonioDiaz – 'There's a lot of things that are missed in education about when you actually become an adult,' echoed Bella Hudson, a third-year TMU student. She told the radio program, 'I do wish that they had classes that taught how to manage yourself and manage your life.' What's cooking — besides ramen — is a cultural reckoning. According to Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University and author of 'Generations,' today's twentysomethings are hitting adulthood with empty toolboxes. 'Kids are growing up less independent. They're less likely to learn how to do adult things as high school students. Then they get to university and they still don't know,' Twenge said on 'The Current.' 3 Many of today's twentysomethings are entering adulthood with barely a clue — but 'Adulting 101' at the University of Waterloo is helping them fill in the blanks. nakophotography – 'We send them off to adulthood without other skills. If they're not learning how to make decisions on their own and solve problems, that can be challenging.' Twenge blames helicopter parenting and extended adolescence — made worse by rising numbers of young adults living with mom and dad. 'You are just more likely to be financially dependent on your parents for longer,' she noted. Stateside, students are seeing the same gaps. 'NYC high schools are failing their students — not academically, but practically,' New York City 10th grader Zack Leitner wrote in The Post last month. 'Until the 1960s, NYC high schoolers learned to cook, clean and sew as part of their standard curriculum. In 2025, they'd be lucky if they knew how to do their laundry.' 3 Whether it's sewing a button or figuring out the laundry cycle, experts warn that if Gen Z isn't learning how to problem-solve and make decisions solo, they could be in for a rough ride. Nata Bene – Leitner says the long-lost home economics class — ditched during the Women's Liberation movement — left behind crucial life lessons for all genders. Today's students, he argues, are launched into adulthood with no idea how to fold a fitted sheet or roast a chicken. 'What today's youth need are 'Adulting 101' classes,' he insisted. 'A lack of these skills makes youth feel adrift once they enter the 'real world.'' Waterloo's director of student success, Pam Charbonneau, agrees. 'What you're experiencing is normal. A lot of your peers are going through the same thing at the same time,' she told students like Garcia, as reported by the CBC. And while she supports universities offering help, Twenge says the real fix starts earlier. 'Limiting kids' freedom and not teaching them practical skills is doing them a disservice,' she said. Because whether it's interest rates or ironing a shirt — ignorance isn't bliss, it's expensive.
CBC
24-05-2025
- General
- CBC
'Adulting 101' programs are helping Gen Z catch up on key life skills
Aldhen Garcia, a first-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University, says he has a lot of life skills to learn. "I don't know how to change a tire — I don't have a car at all. I don't know how to sew, I don't know how to do a lot of things other than cooking," Garcia told The Current. Garcia also has questions about financial matters, like interest rates, mortgages and paying rent. "I think it's so important that children are taught financial literacy. A lot of stuff involves money," he said. Waterloo University's Director of Student Success, Pam Charbonneau, has a message for students like Garcia: you're not alone. "What you're experiencing is normal. A lot of your peers are going through the same thing at the same time," she said. Some post-secondary institutions have added resources like courses and information sessions to help students learn life skills. Experts say that young people, especially Gen Z, are missing out on learning critical skills because they're not given enough independence. University of Waterloo created a online resource called Adulting 101 in 2023 to give students access to information about important life skills — like household maintenance, basic nutrition and how to navigate a grocery store — and help them manage their responsibilities and expectations. Offerings at other universities address issues like career planning, finances, first aid and maintaining healthy relationships. Charbonneau says many students report feeling anxious or stressed trying to navigate life in post-secondary school and that access to resources helps normalize their experience. She also said many students express that they wish they learned these skills earlier. Bella Hudson is one of those students. "There's a lot of things that are missed in education about when you actually become an adult," said the third-year TMU student. "I do wish that they had classes that taught how to manage yourself and manage your life." Generational differences Members of the Gen Z demographic, people born between 1997 and 2013, grew up with fewer opportunities to learn practical skills, according to researcher Jean Twenge. Twenge is a psychology professor at San Diego State University who researches generational differences. She argues that limiting kids' freedom and not teaching them practical skills is "doing them a disservice." "We send them off to adulthood without other skills. If they're not learning how to make decisions on their own and solve problems, that can be challenging," Twenge said. Twenge is the author of several books, including Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America's Future. "Kids are growing up less independent, they're less likely to learn how to do adult things as high school students. Then they get to university and they still don't know," she said. In her 2017 book iGen, she described "the slow life strategy" — the idea that people live longer, spend more time in school and parents tend to have fewer children but nurture them more carefully. Twenge says the approach typically means kids gain independence later than in previous generations. WATCH | Experts and parents pushing back on 'gentle parenting': Why more parents are ditching the gentle approach 3 months ago Duration 9:20 A more empathetic approach, known as gentle parenting, has been a big trend in recent years, but experts and influencers are starting to push back. CBC's Deana Sumanac Johnson breaks down what's behind the growing resistance toward gentle parenting. And because students are living at home with their parents longer, she says they typically take on fewer tasks while parents handle responsibilities like cooking, laundry or paying bills. "You are just more likely to be financially dependent on your parents for longer. And as a result of that, people get married later, they have children later, they settle into careers later," Twenge said. According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians aged 20 to 34 living with at least one parent increased from 31 per cent to 35 per cent from 2001 to 2021. However, the older cohort — those aged 25 to 34 — rose from 38 to 46 per cent over the same time period, signalling that Canadians are living at home longer. Increasing mental health concerns Twenge says she supports universities introducing methods to help students learn important life skills but that, ideally, this education would begin earlier. She encourages parents to move away from the idea held by some parents that it's their job to do everything for their children and instead have them take on tasks like cooking or laundry. She says her biggest concern is the rise of depression among young people. A commentary published in the Journal of Pediatrics in 2023, which reviewed dozens of studies and reports, argues that increases in mental health issues are attributed to declining opportunities for children and teens to engage in activities independently from adults. It says depriving young people of independence can contribute to high levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide among young people. At the University of Waterloo, Charbonneau says Adulting 101's objective is to help students develop as young people, not just as learners. In addition to teaching basic life skills, the resources also prioritize mental and physical health, and help students explore their own personal growth. The university also offers students skill evaluations to help them identify strengths and areas they can improve. Charbonneau says self-advocacy is one of the most important skills students can learn from the programs. "Self-advocacy is probably the most important piece and probably where the gap is right when they come in, if they really haven't had to do much of that before," Charbonneau said. She said students are usually grateful and relieved to have access to these tools.
