LPT: You don't realize it until you're on your own, but for many people, your parents are basically your personal assistants. Learn to get better at these tasks before you're completely out on your own and "adulting" won't be so hard or such a shock. (Details in comments.)

You don't realize it until you're on your own, but for a lot of people, your parents are basically your personal assistants.

Your parents may do any or all of the following:

• They keep your schedule, they tell you where you need to be and when. They often tell you when you need to go to sleep and when to wake up to make it to things and be sufficiently rested.

• They make your appointments for you (doctors, dentists, etc.), ensure you have transportation and that you get there on time.

• If someone goes wrong, they get the call and then tell you about it, usually with a list of options for taking care of it.

• They keep track of the things you need to do and remind you about getting them done.

• They fill your house with food and often prepare it for you as well while reminding you not to eat too much junk.

• Many even do a lot of networking for you, telling you which friends of theirs or relatives might be looking for someone to work for them or have available children for you to date.

When you're a kid or teenager, this all feels like living in prison. But when you get to be an adult, you realize how hard life is when you need to take care of all that crap on your own all while trying to support yourself.