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Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
‘Adulting 101': Canadian uni offers classes for Gen Zs to learn basic life skills
Swathes of Gen Z-ers are enrolling in 'Adulting 101' - a course designed to teach students day-to-day life skills. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY Which is harder - coding an app from scratch or grocery shopping? Surprisingly, some Gen Zs might argue it's the latter. Gen Z, or Generation Z, refers to those born between 1997 and 2012 . While some are already full-fledged adults, many say t hey still lack essential life skills. To make up for this, the University of Waterloo, a top-ranked institution in Ontario, Canada, has launched 'Adulting 101' - a course designed to teach students day-to-day life skills. On the university's website, the course description reads: 'From managing your finances, grocery shopping, keeping your laundry whites... white, staying organised - there are a lot of important life skills you might have wished you learned sooner.' It is structured around three key areas: prioritising mental and physical well-being, adapting to new responsibilities, and fostering personal growth. There are no reports on the number of students who have enrolled in the course. 'I don't know how to change a tyre. 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,' Mr Aldhen Garcia confessed on The Current, a radio programme produced by Canadian news outlet CBC News. The freshman at Canada's Toronto Metropolitan University is among many in his generation who share the struggle of navigating adulthood. But why do young people these days need a crash course on what previous generations might deem common sense? According to experts , overprotective parents who are excessively involved in their children's lives may be partly to blame, reported American news outlet CBS News. Gen Zs are also living with their parents for longer periods, taking on lesser responsibilities as their parents manage the household. This prolong s their adolescence while delaying their development, researcher and psychology professor at San Diego State University Jean Twenge said on The Current. '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. Her sentiments were echoed by netizens worldwide. Commenting on CBS' TikTok account, one said: 'If someone is 20 and can't do laundry, personally, I blame it on the parents.' Beyond household chores, financial literacy is also a major concern for many in that generation, and one of the key skills they hope to gain by enrolling in the course. 'Within the school curriculum, I think it is so important that children are taught financial literacy. A lot of stuff involves money,' Mr Garcia said. While some praised the students for recognising their shortcomings and taking steps to improve, others were quick to point out that these skills should be taught earlier on in home economics classes. 'We learned how to sew, cook, use tools and other stuff in school. It is sad they took those classes away,' one user commented. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z is signing up for ‘Adulting 101' classes — because they can't handle 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. '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 20-somethings 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.' '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,' Zack Leitner, a New York City 10th grader, 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.' Leitner said 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.' ' Pam Charbonneau, Waterloo's director of student success, 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.
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.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former director of Helen Day Art Center in VT dies of a heart attack at 52: What we know
Communities in central Vermont are reeling from the news that a well-known former art-gallery director and volunteer died from a heart attack last week at age 52. Nathan Suter served for a decade as executive director of the Helen Day Art Center, now The Current, based in Stowe. He was also known in Montpelier and beyond for his volunteer spirit and community involvement. 'Nathan was a cornerstone of our community, and could often be seen throughout our Parks jogging and talking intently with a friend, or coaching our local track team,' according to a post from the Facebook page of Montpelier Parks. 'I deeply admired him as a parent, a community member, and a human being. Nathan had a knack for making you feel seen.' Suter, who died May 13, was a 'father, husband, mentor, coach, a person who truly wanted to help, contribute, fix, join, befriend,' according to a Facebook post by Onion River Outdoors in Montpelier. The post included photos of Suter helping with the shop's bike swap in 2023. Suter's community involvement included serving as treasurer of the Peace & Justice Center in Burlington. He was on the support board for Migrant Justice, also based in Burlington. He was married with two children. Rachel Moore, who succeeded Suter as executive director of the art space now known as The Current, wrote in an email May 16 that he embodied 'positivity, energy, and passion both as a human being and a leader. He was a wonderful friend, mentor, colleague, and connector.' In his time at the Helen Day Art Center from 2006-16, Suter doubled the gallery's educational programming, according to Moore. That programming includes more than 50 classes, workshops and camps a year serving over 500 students. Calling hours for Suter will be from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 at Guare & Sons Funeral Home in Montpelier. A GoFundMe page has been set up to 'to help cover funeral costs and support the family during this difficult time,' according to message on the page. The fundraising campaign passed its $60,000 fundraising goal just after 9:30 a.m. May 19. Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@ This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont art-gallery director, volunteer dies of heart attack at age 52
