Universities Teach Life Skills to Help Generation Z
Various universities are stepping in to assist Generation Z, often perceived as lacking vital skills like budgeting, health management, and general well-being. This effort includes offering classes aimed at filling these gaps.
Generation Z typically refers to individuals born between 1997 and 2012, and there’s a growing recognition that they might need more guidance as they transition into adulthood.
The University of California, Riverside, for instance, offers a program called “Adulting 101,” which focuses on essential life skills, preparing for careers, and understanding financial health. The aim? To help them navigate the hurdles of everyday life as independent adults.
“Navigate the complexities of everyday life as an independent adult.”
Interestingly, UC Riverside isn’t alone. Other institutions, like Michigan State University and the nonprofit JCI Santa Clarita, are also providing similar life skills classes, as reported by Newsweek. Two universities in Canada are reportedly doing the same, according to CBC News.
In Michigan, a monthly seminar has been launched to tackle practical life skills. These include resume writing, credit building, and maintaining healthy relationships. They even cover basic cooking skills in their “Adult 101” course.
A spokesperson from Michigan State University mentioned to Newsweek that the main goal is to equip teens and young adults with resources for “navigating the complexities of everyday life as independent adults.” The popularity of these courses is evident, especially in topics related to financial literacy, which has drawn attendance ranging from 50 to 1,000 participants at each session.
At UC Riverside, there’s an initiative called the “Adult 101: IRL Program,” which even offers participants a $500 grant after completing the program. This financial support is also available for veterans, parents of students, and those experiencing homelessness.
March saw JCI Santa Clarita revitalize its “Get Real: Adulting 101” program, which allows high school seniors and juniors to simulate careers and financial management. Students are tasked with budgeting their fictional salaries, managing unexpected expenses, and other real-life scenarios.
At the University of Waterloo in Ontario, the “Adult Guide” emphasizes prioritizing both mental and physical well-being as crucial adult skills. In a recent curriculum shift, Toronto Metropolitan University aimed to address colonialism and diversity, with a student sharing how their adult course proved beneficial.
“I honestly don’t know how to change a tire or sew. Cooking is about all I do,” a student reflected, emphasizing the importance of teaching financial literacy due to its pervasive influence. “So many things, well, they involve money,” they added.
