Young adult "Life 101" guide books/resources

[healthy11]

A few are specific to people with ADHD/LDs, but most are meant for the "general public":

For parents: “Parenting Your Emerging Adult: Launching Kids From 18 to 29.” by Dr. Varda Konstam

For young adults: "20 Something Manifesto" (Overcoming Expectation Hangovers) by Christine Hassler ~
Among the praises, W. Bay (author of Talking to Your Kids in Tough Times) says "Christine Hassler goes deeper than the quick fix. She pushes, prods, nudges, and guides her readers to create their own road map. Offering information and inspiration in equal measure, Hassler provides tools for 20-somethings to chart an effective, fullfilling, and meaningful life journey all their own."
Greg Behrendt (author of He's Just Not That Into You and It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken) says "Christine Hassler teaches the class you wish you had been offered in school - Life 101!"

“There Is Life After College: What Parents and Students Should Know About Navigating School to Prepare for the Jobs of Tomorrow“ by
Jeffrey J. Selingo

"25 Things About Life I Wish I Had Known 10 Years Ago" By Darius Foroux observer.com/2016/02/25-things-about-life-i-wish-i-had-known-10-years-ago/

"Getting From College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World" by Lindsey Pollack

"Career Advice Nobody Tells You" by Raghav Haran observer.com/2016/03/career-advice-no-one-tells-you/

"My Reality Check Bounced!" by Jason Ryan Dorsey

"They Don't Teach Corporate In College" and "How'd You Score That Gig" by Alexandra Levit

"Adulting" by Kelly Williams Brow

The ADHD experts at ADDitude have put together a great collection of free articles/resources geared towards helping adults with ADHD - these can all be accessed from www.additudemag.com/resources/free-downloads/adult-add-adhd/index.html
and they also have some items for purchase, including the e-book "Getting Things Done With Adult ADHD" additude.mybigcommerce.com/time-management-productivity-adult-adhd/

www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-living-tips

also see www.businessinsider.com/life-skills-every-adult-should-master-2015-10

"The Dyslexic Advantage:Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain" by Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide ~ the chapters titled "Thriving in High School and College" and "Thriving in the Workplace, along with the book's Appendix that lists many resources, including time management and organization tools and support groups can be very helpful!

Very good career-starting advice, from career coach Alexandra Levit, can be found at www.jobstart101.org - and listen to her short (less than 5 minute) video clip at
finance.yahoo.com/news/pro-tip-for-millennial-workers--stop-trying-to-find-your-passion-193221748.html

Here's an article that gives some good advice about focusing on one's strengths in doing any job: www.huffingtonpost.com/michelle-mcquaid/10-reasons-to-focus-on-yo_b_6138036.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

If you aren't even sure what you're good at, or what your strengths are: www.businessinsider.com/how-to-find-out-what-youre-good-at-2016-7

For people with ADHD, trying to find a career that's good for them: millermom.proboards.com/thread/14461/career-works-adhd

Even if it doesn't feel "perfect," you might be more successful than you think: www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/06/13/ten-signs-youre-more-successful-than-you-think

Another article titled, "Smart $ Saving Tips for New Grads" has links to many other good articles, too: www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T023-C002-S003-smart-saving-tips-new-grads.html Also see www.additudemag.com/slideshow/64/slide-1.html and finance.yahoo.com/news/10-things-know-money-30-100022879.html and www.budgetsaresexy.com/2009/07/free-budget-templates-sites/

For those who might be questioning whether to leave familiar friends and family to move for a different job and/or to "follow their dream" the READERS COMMENTS below the post are very insightful: www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/carolyn-hax-the-boyfriend-she-loves-vs-the-city-where-shed-love-to-be/2016/01/18/7a13cd6a-b656-11e5-a842-0feb51d1d124_story.html AND also read www.forbes.com/pictures/fmlm45ekfdd/what-to-do-when-you-hate/

[dwolen]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will see if my daughter is interested in these books, since she is definitely in transition. I will read them first.

[healthy11]

I'm partway through the "20-something Manifesto," and I definitely think it's a worthwhile read! I hope I can get my son to skim it at some point......

[healthy11]

Thanks to Michellea for mentioning this site: parenting20-somethings.blogspot.com/which also referenced other good sources:

Adult Children Living at Home, www.adultchildrenlivingathome.com/
Christina Newbury has created a very helpful book and website for parents who find themselves living once again with their young adult children. Her book, Surviving Adult Children Living At Home, is filled with all kinds of wisdom and practical advice for both parents and twenty-something children.

Christine Hassler, www.christinehassler.com
Christine was in her twenties when her life turned upside down and she realized she needed to make a change. So she wrote Twenty-Something, Twenty-Everything, which is a great guide for young adult women. Christine is an active blogger, speaker, and coach. Her sites and thoughts can be helpful to parents as they strive to understand the lives of their 20-somethings.

Jeffrey Arnett, www.jeffreyarnett.com/articles.htm
Dr. Arnet created the term, “emerging adult”, which is the most meaningful term to describe twenty-something young men and women. His books and research are described on his website, all of which are essential resources for anybody striving to understand this group more clearly.

Linda Gordon and Susan Shaffer, blog.parentingroadmaps.com/
This site offers a great selection of articles and blogs which address a wide range of parenting questions and challenges. Together they have authored several books, including Too Close For Comfort and Mom, Can I Move Back In With You? They also provide good insights into the differences between men and women, girls and boys.

[healthy11]

This title got good reviews in a recent magazine. (I haven't read it myself, except for the excerpts at the link below)

Not Quite Adults: Why 20-Somethings Are Choosing a Slower Path to Adulthood, and Why It's Good for Everyone
Written by Richard Settersten and Barbara E. Ray

www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440339793&view=excerpt
"One thing is for sure: Parents today who take a hands-off approach to higher education, letting their children figure things out on their own in the name of independence or because they simply don't have the know-how, are inadvertently putting their children at risk."

[healthy11]

Laurie Dupar runs a website www.CoachingforADHD.com that offers useful advice for ADHDers. Here's an example:
www.coachingforadhd.com/adhd-blog/adults/how-to-succeed-with-adhd-when-all-else-fails/

Other websites that often offer free "webinars" on various "life skills with ADHD" topics include www.addvisor.com/ and www.addclasses.com

[michellea]

Thanks for bringing back this thread!!

[healthy11]

Here's a site with a decent summary of understanding and coping with adult ADHD: cpancf.com/articles_files/Understandingadultadhd.asp

[healthy11]

I've been fortunate to hear several presentations by Dr. Ari Tuckman over the years, and have always found them to be of very high quality. He has the ability to provide understandable explanations as well as practical advice for handling various Adult ADHD issues. Most recently, I heard him address the topic "From De-motivated To Motivated" in a free webcast on addclasses.com ; there was even a downloadable handout to accompany his talk, which was excellent.

Although I've not read or listened to all of his books, podcasts, or other resources yet, I wanted to share some information with you. His website is www.AdultADHDbook.com

For clinicians, he's written the book "Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD" ~ Reknowned ADHD-Expert Dr. Russell Barkley said, "it is a real pleasure to read Tuckman's superbly rendered book on ADHD in adults, for it is so well-reasoned, sciencebased, information-rich, to the point, and finally—useful! Apart from wishing I had written it, I sincerely wish that you will read it.”

For Adults, he's written "More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD" - Fellow ADHD Expert Dr. Ned Hallowell, MD., says “Written in a clear and easy-tounderstand style, the book brings together a vast amount of information, ideas, suggestions, and research. All adults with ADHD can benefit from this book, as well as all people who care about them. Superb!”

There's also a workbook for adults, "Understand Your Brain, Get More Done ; The Executive Functions Workbook" of which Dr. Russell Barkley says "“Dr. Tuckman continues to do an exceptional job of distilling the essence of theory and science about ADHD into a very practical guide for the adult with ADHD.”

Free Audio podcasts are available at Dr. Tuckman's website of adultadhdbook.com/ or at itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/more-attention-less-deficit/id312831485?mt=2

[healthy11]

Here's a short article that pertains to EVERYONE going to college, pointing out how some of what is learned while on campus is actually poor preparation for "real life" afterwards:

wallstcheatsheet.com/personal-finance/4-of-the-worst-lessons-you-learn-in-college.html/

[sunny]

Thanks for posting these resources.   Looks like a great selection of books and articles!  

[shawbridge]

We're not quite there yet, but here's a book on how to negotiate when you get your first job offer: www.amazon.com/How-Negotiate-Your-First-Job/dp/0991271416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412481578&sr=8-1&keywords=levy+first+job. It is written by a friend of mine. It is aimed at kids graduating from college who finally get their first job offer.

[healthy11]

It sounds like a good read! I know many new grads are happy to receive even one job offer, and they're reluctant to say anything that might make a company rescind it. On the other hand, knowing how to assert oneself with tact and diplomacy is a valuable skill not just on a first job, but going forward in their careers, too.

On a related note, this article suggests 6 excellent questions that interviewees should ask the representatives of the company they're considering: theweek.com/article/index/271452/6-questions-about-company-culture-you-should-ask-in-the-interview

Also read fortune.com/2015/02/14/6-ways-to-determine-if-youre-in-the-right-career/

And this article lists some "cautions" www.mainstreet.com/article/12-red-flags-that-you-shouldnt-accept-that-job-offer-no-matter-what

[shawbridge]

In addition to the book I mentioned above, here are a few books that I think are good. I know the authors of the first one:

www.amazon.com/Graduate-Great-Job-College-Degree/dp/0988868601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421679913&sr=8-1&keywords=david+delong&pebp=1421679915662&peasin=988868601

www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421680017&sr=8-1&keywords=cal+newport

[healthy11]

Here's a nice, short article in which author Matthew Dicks gives some practical suggestions on "How To Be A Grownup" www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-dicks/how-to-be-a-grownup_b_6796842.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

I particularly like the following:

*Seek to identify, acknowledge, and improve upon your weaknesses and faults.

*Remember that there not everyone's brain is like yours. Others may be geniuses, impaired, chemically unstable or damaged. Assume nothing and be gentle with your words and actions.

*Raise your voice only in celebration.

[healthy11]

I think there's some good career advice in this article: lifehacker.com/the-company-you-work-for-is-not-your-friend-1692113529/+aleksanderchan

[healthy11]

Here are a few more articles relating to young adults, work, and life:

www.businessinsider.com/skills-every-young-professional-should-have-2015-10 and

www.businessinsider.com/hard-lessons-to-learn-in-your-20s-2015-7

[healthy11]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but it seems like it might help people, especially young adults, who have not yet figured out how to manage money: lifehacker.com/adult-budgeting-101-how-to-create-your-first-budget-in-1440446091

www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/the-52-week-money-challenge-should-you-try-it.html/?ref=YF

www.forbes.com/sites/jrose/2016/08/20/6-financial-advisors-share-their-best-financial-advice-for-saving-money/#5b421df4e8df

and this article gives a fairly comprehensive list of ways to earn extra money, while still keeping a full-time job:
www.huffingtonpost.com/john-rampton/101-ways-to-make-an-extra_b_9236954.html?

[healthy11]

When it comes to job interviewing, I thought this article brings up an interesting perspective: www.yahoo.com/finance/news/charles-schwabs-ceo-takes-job-203700719.html

[healthy11]

I just added some new resources to the initial post, and thought it would be good to remind people about it!

[healthy11]

I just read an article by Deborah Copaken, that makes persuasive points about how "Adulthood has nothing to do with age anymore"

"...What’s illuminating about adulthood’s current lack of clear benchmarks and signposts is the way outward markers of maturity have become irrelevant. When everyone, no matter their age or gender, presents themselves to the world in the same normcore jeans and hoodies while secretly struggling to pay the bills, it becomes clear that adulthood has nothing to do with age, or biology, or clothing or marital status or income or home ownership or law.

Rather, adulthood is at its core a state of being. It’s an understanding of the interconnectedness of the universe and one’s humble place in it. It’s being able to wait the fifteen minutes for the second marshmallow. What’s illuminating about adulthood’s current lack of clear benchmarks is the way outward markers of maturity have become irrelevant. It’s appreciating the bifurcation between the rational and the emotional, and knowing when and how to use each. It’s an ability to love and be loved. It’s empathy. It’s kindness. It’s tolerance. It’s a grasp of one’s faults and limitations combined with a concomitant desire to transcend them. It’s self-acceptance. It’s self love.

You can be old enough to vote but still fundamentally be a child. You can legally be a child but still act like an adult. It’s actually hard to explain with words this state of being, but you definitely know it when you see it..."

[healthy11]

Here's a short article that gives good financial advice for EVERYONE, not just young adults starting out (but if you can develop good habits when you're young, it's even better!)
www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2016/0419/The-only-six-rules-of-frugal-living-you-need-to-know

[healthy11]

I found some interesting information in the following articles, about things employers of Millennials can do to help keep them "engaged" in their workplaces: www.forbes.com/sites/christinecomaford/2016/05/14/got-millennials-heres-the-culture-they-need/2

www.careerline.com was mentioned in www.foxnews.com/us/2016/06/06/this-is-why-need-to-let-your-best-employees-go.html as a toolbox for your career; a private space to map your career history and chart your future

[healthy11]

Here's a slideshow that gives 40 tips from ADHD experts about "managing daily life."
It begins, "ADHD experts struggle with the same symptoms that challenge us all. They lose stuff, they miss appointments, they buy books on organizing that they never read, and they live with clutter. What makes them experts is that they figure out tricks to help them overcome the problems. ADDitude asked eight ADHD experts for their simplest, most effective organizational tips. Here's what they said..."

www.additudemag.com/slideshow/187/slide-1.html?utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=november&mc

[healthy11]

Thanks to hsmom for pointing out this article, with Tips for Young Adults about Transitioning to College and Work - See: www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD/About-ADHD/ADHD-Weekly/Article.aspx?id=328

[healthy11]

www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/ten-must-have-college-life-skills-for-teens/ lists some general life skills that 12th graders should have, before heading off to college or to live on their own.

[healthy11]

observer.com/2016/02/25-things-about-life-i-wish-i-had-known-10-years-ago/
25 Things About Life I Wish I Had Known 10 Years Ago
By Darius Foroux • 02/17/16 10:32am

Socrates, considered as one of the founders of Western philosophy, was once named the wisest man on earth by the Oracle of Delphi. When Socrates heard that the oracle had made such a comment, he believed that the statement was wrong.
Socrates said: “I know one thing: that I know nothing.”
How can the smartest man on earth know nothing? I heard this paradoxical wisdom for the first time from my school teacher when I was 14 or 15. It made such an impact on me that I used Socrates’s quote as my learning strategy.
“I know nothing” to me, means that you might be an educated person, but still, you know nothing. You can learn from everything and everyone.
One thing that I like better than learning from my mistakes is to learn from other people’s mistakes. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to have great mentors, teachers, family, friends, that taught me about life.
What you will find below is a list of the most important things I learned from other people and books. Some of the lessons took me a long time to learn—but if I had to learn these things all by myself, it would take me a lot longer.
We might learn things quickly, but we often forget things at the same rate—and sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the things we’ve learned.

Here are 25 of those reminders that others taught me.
1. Struggle Is Good
Never say “I can’t take it anymore.” Say “Bring it on!”
2. Don’t Complain
Complaining is the biggest waste of time there is. Either do something about it, and if you can’t, shut up about it.
3. Spend Time With People You Love
That’s your family and best friends. If you don’t have a family, create one. Most people in life are only visitors. Family is for life.
4. Don’t Start A Relationship If You’re Not In Love
I’ve done this more than once. You kind of like someone and think: “We might as well give it a shot.” Not a good idea. You’re either in love, or you are not. Don’t fool yourself. It’s not fair to you and the other person.
5. Exercise Daily
I didn’t get this until recently. A healthy body is where you have to start everything in life. If you can’t build a healthy and strong body, what CAN you build in life?
6. Keep A Journal
No, keeping a journal is not for children. It helps you to become a better thinker and writer. “I don’t want to be a writer” you might think. Well, how many emails and texts do you send a day? Everybody is a writer.
7. Be Grateful
Say ‘thank you’ to everyone and everything. “Thank you for this beautiful day.” “Thank you for your email.” “Thank you for being there for me.”
8. Don’t Care About What People Think
We all die in the end, do you really think it matters what people think of you?
9. Take More Risks
Don’t be such a wimp.
10. Pick An Industry, Not A Job
If you want to become good at something, you need to spend years and years doing that. You can’t do that if you hop from industry to industry. Pick an industry you love and start at the bottom. You will find the perfect role for you eventually.
11. Lead The Way
When you find yourself in a situation where everyone looks at each other, it’s time for you to lead. You‘re a leader when you decide to become one. There’s no initiation or a title. Just a decision.
12. Money Isn’t Important
It really isn’t. But you have to train yourself not to care about money. Don’t become too dependent on the stuff you own — otherwise, the stuff will own you.
13. Be Nice
I don’t mean you should be a pushover. You can be someone that doesn’t take shit and be nice about it. Just don’t insult people, think you’re better than them, or act like an idiot.
14. Learn Every Day
You’ve got to train your brain to stay alert. You don’t have to read a book a day to learn every day. Learn from your mistakes. Learn from the people around you — be open to what they can teach you.
15. Rest Before You Are Tired
Even if you love your job, and every day seems like a holiday, you need to take time to rest. You’re a human and not an android, never forget that.
16. Don’t Judge
Just because people make different choices than you, they are not stupid. Also, you don’t know everything about people, so don’t judge them — help them.
17. Think About Others
Just be mindful, that’s all. We all have families, bills to pay, and our own issues. Don’t always make everything about yourself.
18. Give Without Expecting Something In Return
Don’t keep score. You will become a bitter person if you do that. Give solely for the joy of giving. If you get something in return, great, if you don’t, great.
19. There’s No End Game
We, as a species, just are. Don’t try to figure it all out. Enjoy your journey.
20. Enjoy Small Things
I like clichés because they are true. Especially this one. You know why? Everyone says they know it, but no one lives up to it. They just chase big things.
21. Don’t Take Yourself So Serious
Yeah, yeah, you’re an individual, and people have to take you seriously, I get it. But at the end of the day, we’re all a bunch of ants trying to chase the same things. Lighten up.
22. Don’t Blame People
What’s point? Do you want to punish them? You don’t do that to people. Also don’t blame yourself — you’re only human.
23. Create Something
Not to leave a legacy, you won’t be here to see it anyway, but to be of use. Make music, write a book, build a table, anything. You’ll feel good about yourself, plus you give something back to people to use or enjoy.
24. Never Look Back Too Long
Reflecting on the past is only good for one thing: Learning.
25. Take Action
Don’t just sit there, do something. Without action, there is no outcome.
You might know a lot. But like Socrates, you and I know nothing at all. So we have to keep learning.

Darius Foroux is the author of Massive Life Success and founder of Procrastinate Zero. He writes at DariusForoux.com, where he uses tested methods and frameworks to share ideas for overcoming procrastination, improving productivity, and achieving more. Join his free newsletter. This article was originally published on dariusforoux.com.

[shawbridge]

Here are a couple of books. The first I have not read but talked to the author when he was writing it. Good descriptions of how people actually found jobs (and mistakes they made along the way). The second may be a little advanced for this site, but is really useful. I like the way the author sees the world and thinks.

www.amazon.com/Graduate-Great-Job-College-Degree-ebook/dp/B00DQBEWFE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539698831&sr=8-3&keywords=delong+david

www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=so+good+they+cant+ignore+you+by+cal+newport&sprefix=so+good+they%2Caps%2C255&crid=3BC2M915G9TP3

[healthy11]

humbledollar.com/2019/04/before-you-leave/ is a short article that gives some good "life" advice to people.