Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Script

Warm-Up: Adulting Scramble (5 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Before we dive into today's topic, I want to hear from you. We're on the cusp of a big transition, moving from high school to... well, 'adulting'! So, looking ahead to life after high school, what's one thing you're genuinely excited about, and one thing you're feeling a little nervous about? Just a quick thought, no need for a long explanation. Let's hear a few!"

(Allow 2-3 students to share. Validate their feelings and connect to the universal experience of this transition.)

Introduction: Welcome to Adulting 101 (5 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Great responses, and it sounds like many of us share similar excitements and anxieties. That's perfectly normal! Today, we're going to tackle some of those 'nervous' thoughts head-on and build on the 'excitement' by giving you some practical tools for navigating life after high school.

"Take a look at our first slide: Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck - 'Adulting 101: Your Launchpad!' This lesson isn't just about theory; it's about giving you real-world skills that you can use right away, whether you're heading to college, starting a job, or exploring other paths.

"Our mission for today, as you can see on the next slide Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck, is clear. By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Identify key areas of adult living.
• Understand basic financial concepts.
• Recognize important steps for independent living and career readiness.

"Think of this as your personal launchpad into successful adult life!"

Financial Fundamentals (10 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Alright, let's jump into one of the biggest 'adulting' topics: money. It can seem daunting, but once you understand the basics, it becomes much clearer. Turn to the 'Financial Fundamentals' section on your Adulting Essentials Worksheet as we go through these slides.

"Our first concept is 'Money Matters: Financial Fundamentals' (Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck). Who can tell me, in their own words, what budgeting means? Don't worry about being perfectly correct, just your idea."

(Wait for a few student responses. Guide them to the definition on the slide.)

(Teacher): "Exactly! Budgeting is simply planning how you're going to spend and save your money. It's about knowing where every dollar goes. And why is it so important? Well, it helps you avoid debt, reach your financial goals—whether that's saving for a car, college, or an apartment—and honestly, it just reduces stress because you're in control. On your worksheet, for Question 1, I want you to start thinking about three essential expenses you'd budget for."

(Give students a moment to jot down ideas.)

(Teacher): "Next up, let's differentiate between income and expenses, as seen on 'Budgeting Basics: Income & Expenses' (Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck). Income is simply the money you earn, like from a job or allowances. Expenses are what you spend that money on. We categorize them into two types: fixed and variable. Fixed expenses are things that usually stay the same each month, like rent or a loan payment. Variable expenses fluctuate, like groceries, entertainment, or how much you spend on gas. The best tip here is to track your spending. You can't manage what you don't know about."

(Teacher): "Now, let's talk about growing your money: 'Saving & Investing: Make Your Money Grow!' (Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck). Saving is setting money aside for future goals, like a new phone or a down payment. It's also critical to build an 'emergency fund'—money saved for unexpected situations, ideally 3-6 months of living expenses. Investing is taking your money and putting it into things like stocks or bonds, hoping it will grow over time. The earlier you start, the more powerful 'compound interest' becomes. On your worksheet, try Question 2 about saving for a goal."

(Give students a moment to calculate.)

(Teacher): "Finally, 'Debt Demystified: Good vs. Bad?' (Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck). Debt is simply money you owe. Some debt can be 'good' if it helps you achieve a major goal, like student loans for education or a mortgage for a home. But then there's 'bad' debt, like high-interest credit card debt that can quickly get out of control if not managed wisely. The key is to borrow responsibly and always pay on time. Question 3 on your worksheet asks you to explain the difference."

(Give students a moment to write.)

Independent Living & Career Readiness (10 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Moving beyond money, let's talk about the practicalities of living on your own and building your career. Turn to the 'Independent Living & Career Readiness' section on your Adulting Essentials Worksheet."

(Teacher): "First up, 'Your Own Space: Independent Living' (Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck). Finding a place to live involves choices: an apartment, a dorm, or sharing a house with roommates. What factors do you think are most important when looking for housing?"

(Solicit responses: cost, location, safety, roommates, utilities.)

(Teacher): "Exactly. And it's not just finding a place; it's managing it. This includes things like cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and paying all those bills! It's a lot, but these are essential skills for independence. Question 4 on your worksheet asks you to list some responsibilities of living independently."

(Give students a moment to write.)

(Teacher): "Now, let's shift gears to your future careers with 'Building Your Future: Career Readiness' (Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck). Whether you're planning for a part-time job or a long-term career, these skills are vital. You'll need a strong resume—your professional story—and often a cover letter explaining why you're perfect for a specific job. Networking, or connecting with people in your desired field, is also incredibly powerful."

"And then there's the interview. What do you think are some key things to do before, during, and after a job interview?"

(Guide them to answers like research, practice, dress appropriately, ask questions, send a thank-you.)

(Teacher): "Perfect! Remember, these steps significantly increase your chances of landing that job. Question 5 on your worksheet is about preparing for an interview."

(Give students a moment to write.)

Group Activity: Adulting Scenarios (10 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Alright, it's time to put your adulting skills to the test! On the slide 'Real-World Scenarios: What Would You Do?' (Adulting 101: Your Launchpad Slide Deck), you'll see a prompt. I'm going to divide you into small groups, and each group will receive one scenario from the Real-World Readiness Discussion Guide. Your task is to discuss the challenge, identify the skills needed, and outline the steps you would take to solve it. You have about 7 minutes for this discussion, and then we'll share with the class. Go ahead and get into your groups."

(Distribute scenario cards from the Real-World Readiness Discussion Guide or project them. Circulate among groups to facilitate discussion and provide guidance. After 7 minutes, bring the class back together for 3 minutes of brief sharing from 1-2 groups.)

Cool Down: Adulting Action Plan (5 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Fantastic discussions, everyone! It's clear you're already thinking critically about these challenges. To wrap up today, I want you to create your own 'Adulting Action Plan.' Please take out the Adulting Action Plan Cool Down sheet.

"On this sheet, I want you to reflect on:

1. One key takeaway from today's lesson—something that really stuck with you.
2. One actionable step you will take this week to prepare for adult living. It could be researching a budget app, looking into a job application, talking to a parent about housing options—anything that moves you forward.

"Please take about 3-4 minutes to complete this, and then I'll collect them as your exit ticket for today. Thank you for your active participation!"

(Collect sheets as students leave.)

Adulting Essentials Worksheet

Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________

Section 1: Financial Fundamentals

1. Budgeting Basics: Imagine you have a monthly income of $2,000. List three essential expenses you would budget for, and estimate how much you would allocate to each.
   • Expense 1: _________________________ Amount: ________
     * Expense 2: _________________________ Amount: ________
     * Expense 3: _________________________ Amount: ________
     
     
     
     
2. Saving for Goals: You want to save $1,200 for a new laptop in 6 months. How much do you need to save each month to reach your goal?
   • Monthly Savings Needed: _________________________
     
     
     
     
3. Understanding Debt: In your own words, explain the difference between "good debt" and "bad debt," providing an example of each.
   • Good Debt:
     
     
     
     
     
   • Bad Debt:
     
     
     
     
     
     

Section 2: Independent Living & Career Readiness

4. Living Independently: List three important responsibilities you would have if you were living on your own (e.g., paying bills, cooking).
   • Responsibility 1: _________________________
     * Responsibility 2: _________________________
     * Responsibility 3: _________________________
     
     
     
     
5. Job Interview Prep: You have an interview for a job you really want next week. List three things you would do to prepare for it.
   • Preparation Step 1: _________________________
     * Preparation Step 2: _________________________
     * Preparation Step 3: _________________________
     
     
     
     

Real-World Readiness Discussion Guide

Instructions:

In your small groups, read the scenario assigned to you. Discuss the questions below, and be prepared to share your group's ideas with the class.

Discussion Questions for Each Scenario:

1. What is the main challenge presented in this scenario?
2. What skills (financial, independent living, communication, problem-solving, etc.) are needed to address this challenge?
3. What specific steps would you take to resolve the situation?

Scenario 1: The Budgeting Blunder

You've just moved into your first apartment and received your first paycheck from your new part-time job. You excitedly buy some new clothes and go out with friends. Halfway through the month, you realize you're almost out of money, and your rent is due next week! You also have utility bills coming soon. You're worried you won't be able to pay for everything.

• What's the main challenge here?
• What skills do you need to address this, and what steps would you take to fix your current situation and prevent it from happening again?

Scenario 2: The Job Interview Jitters

You've applied for an entry-level position that you're really excited about, and you've landed an interview! However, you've never had a formal job interview before. You're not sure what to wear, what questions they might ask, or what you should ask them. You feel nervous and unprepared.

• What's the main challenge here?
• What skills do you need to address this, and what steps would you take to prepare for and succeed in this interview?

Scenario 3: Roommate Riddle

You're living with a roommate for the first time. You've noticed that they rarely clean their dishes, leave their belongings in common areas, and are often loud late at night when you're trying to study or sleep. You feel uncomfortable and frustrated, but you're not sure how to bring it up without causing an argument.

• What's the main challenge here?
• What skills do you need to address this, and what steps would you take to resolve the issue with your roommate?

Adulting Action Plan

Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________

1. One key takeaway from today's lesson that stuck with me is:

2. One actionable step I will take this week to prepare for adult living is: