Written by Samuel Flores

Welcome to the 2020s! A decade that calls back the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, where we all bring back art deco, dance the Charleston, wear stylish hats, and endure a pandemic that was all but inevitable based on scientists’ warnings decades ago! In short, we are all ducked!

But fear not! Because things in this world have an end, and this pandemic will meet its end soon enough. So, to help you navigate a world broken by the Veerus™, we have listed down some tips that may be of practical use.

First, you need to internalize the importance of time management. Sure, binging a Netflix series in one night might be a fun challenge, but life cannot be all Netflix and chill, can it? When you enter the real world, time becomes a priceless resource. Trust us, cleaning your room takes more time than you realize.

But what about money? For the trust fund kids or those who have decided to dump cash into the stock market, maybe money is not an issue for you. Good for you, then! But for most of us, money does not grow on trees nor is it easy to rake it in. Because remember, this system is rigged, and we are not the benefactors. Thus, our second tip is to proactively track your expenditures. Doing it is easy now, thanks to technology, with options for whatever cash manager app your heart desires! Say goodbye to guessing how much moolah you have left in the bank! (Or cry at the figures after paying the bills.)

Obvious to all of us, we all age and slowly make our way to receive the warm embrace of death. Metabolism grinds to a halt, levels of energy swing wildly, and your body just breaks down slowly. Oh, medication is expensive, just so you know. So, make room for exercise and lifestyle changes. Skip the chips, make your own meals, walk a bit more, and always drink plenty of water. It is cliché but helps a lot in the long term. Remember, we do not know where those billions went to, just that it is not going to you!

So far, we covered time management, expense management, and lifestyle changes. Now we go to the issue of street smarts.

Yes, our next tip is to sharpen your situational awareness. This world is a jungle, more so in the city. Unlike the safe environment of the university, the outside world is harsher, crueler, and out to try and kill you. Remember, most of us cannot afford bodyguards, helicopters, and body doubles, so keeping your wits sharp will help. How to do it? Stay lowkey, do not parade anything expensive unless it is in a place you are comfortable or familiar with, and avoid distracting yourself with trivial things like that latest tweet about fanships. Jeez, some people need to chill with these fanships.

And finally, manage expectations. The world is not your oyster; it never revolves around you. Humans are flawed beings; we have our strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes, people will disappoint; others will go beyond expectations. That is just the way life is. So, the sooner you can manage your expectations, the easier it will be to avoid unnecessary suffering all because you expected just a bit too much.

And there we go, some tips to help you navigate through the real world. But work on your own strategies to beat the system as well. Explore, test, and tinker with different ways of doing it. Just make sure to keep yourself safe and sound. This world is harsh, but we always come back on top, one way or another, with or without help. Just know that we are rooting for you, and we wish you nothing but success and strength in these turbulent times! Padayon!