LANSING, MI (WOWO) Michigan State University Extension is offering a free online “Adulting 101” course to help teens and young adults learn practical life skills that are often missing from school curricula.
Bridge Michigan reports that the program features monthly virtual sessions covering topics such as budgeting, building credit, cooking, pet care, and avoiding scams. Educators say the course responds to growing anxiety among young people about transitioning to adulthood.
“We were finding that it can be very stressful for young people when they think about transitioning to adulthood and taking that next step to be independent,” said Laurie Rivetto, an MSU Extension 4-H educator.
The program includes 11 monthly sessions led by experts from the MSU Extension network. The first workshop of 2026 will cover fraud prevention, teaching participants how to recognize fake job offers, phishing texts, and other scams.
Similar programs exist at other universities, such as the University of California, Riverside, where eligible students can take courses on basic needs, career development, and financial wellness. MSU participants can earn a $600 stipend if they attend at least six events, including the program’s opening and closing sessions.
Declining home economics programs and a focus on standardized testing have left gaps in practical life skills education. While Michigan requires high school students to take personal finance and civics courses, many experts say these classes do not fully prepare students for independent adulthood.
Bradley MacDonald, a social studies and economics teacher, said students often feel unprepared for real-world responsibilities. “I think having a course that’s relevant, interesting, and applicable could even improve attendance because kids see value in learning skills they’ll actually use,” he said.
