‘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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
Working hard to look busy: why Gen Z employees are ‘task masking'
Perhaps the next time you notice your younger colleague swept up in a flurry of furious typing, reassure them their contribution is valued. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG You stride across the office, laptop in hand, heading to the first of many meetings you have lined up for the day. Back at your desk, piled with print-outs, company pens and empty Huel bottles, you hunch over your screen, keyboard clattering. A scowl breaks into a loud sigh. Such behaviour may resemble that of a junior analyst hard-pressed to meet a deadline. According to social media, however, these are also the hallmarks of Gen Z's latest coping mechanism: task masking, or acting like they are working hard, while hardly working at all. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Why divorcing spouses cannot stake claim on in-laws' homes
Couples who use their parents' properties as their matrimonial homes cannot stake claims over such assets simply because they are not the owners PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY Couples who use a parents' property as their matrimonial homes cannot stake claims over it because they are self-evidently not the owners. The rationale is the same as setting up a matrimonial home in a rented house – the fact that a married couple stayed there does not affect the landlord's rights over his or her real estate. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
31-05-2025
- 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.
