The lights dimmed, and we were asked to take a moment to relax and breathe, to exist without thoughts or purpose.   

I’ve been so tightly wound that literally just existing made me anxious — flashes of unfinished forms and unopened totes started flooding my brain.   

The past few months haven’t been smooth sailing; being an adult is hard.   

Lucky for me — and anyone in my boat — DMACC Counseling offers Adulting 101 classes.   

Which brings me to Building 8, Room 19, on a freezing Wednesday morning.   

I scan my surroundings and note friendly chatter among the students — about 10 in total. I missed a previous session, and it was clear that the returning attendees already established a sense of camaraderie. I feel like an undercover agent, leading a double life as a student/marketing spy.

An instructor walked in, rosy-cheeked and slightly out of breath, carrying 3 pizza boxes topped with another box of breadsticks.    

With excited cheers and a “You’re the best” thrown in to express gratitude for being fed, the session began, the topic: "Stressed and Overwhelmed - Nervous System Regulation.” 

A gentle voice instructs me to close my eyes and focus on my breathing.  

I oblige. My world goes black.  

Then, a Menards cardboard box slowly materializes in my brain – an almost too poignant reminder of my mental load.  Is this what losing your mind feels like?   

I’m yanked out of self-pity and back to reality by a polite request to borrow a pen.   

My eyes dart down — a questionnaire is waiting for me on the table.  

“Check what applies.” 

“Eyes: Alert, Tired, Glassy;”  

“Legs: Crossed, Planted, Sore;”  

Working through the paper, I’m forced to think about my eyes, my mouth, my hands...  

Strange feelings arise from acute awareness of my body; my own skin feels tight, and my mind starts itemizing and organizing a pile of papers sitting on my desk at home.  

In my last semester of college, I’ve moved out of the suburban bliss of Pleasant Hill into the chilly countryside of Winterset. Juggling heavy moving boxes with scholarship applications, transfer paperwork, everyday classwork, and just regular work hasn’t been the easiest feat.  

Instead of letting these responsibilities linger and taunt me, I catch myself from spiraling and forcibly give my attention back to the PowerPoint now illuminating the whiteboard.   

I start listening to the good advice offered to me for free and grab a slice of pizza.  

And a breadstick. Or two.  

Stuffing my face full of gluten, I almost choke when asked to join in on group “vooo-ing.” Apparently, making noise helps release pent-up energy.  

In all honesty, I went into Adulting 101 with a fair share of skepticism. I felt overwhelmed by my stressors and doubted the course would teach me anything valuable.  

“Voo-ing” brought that skepticism back.  

Nonetheless, I let out a long, flat, “vooo” and I start feeling... Better?  

As the session continues, I find myself... relaxing. My shoulders drop, and that tight knot stuck in my chest since the beginning slowly unravels with each passing moment.  

I find myself bouncing off the others — cracking jokes, sharing experiences, and indulging in quick, quirky exchanges. 

Suddenly, all my responsibilities didn’t seem so daunting.   

I didn’t expect that.   

And then, with a glance at the clock from the instructor, the experience ended. Despite being in that dimly lit classroom for almost an hour, it felt abrupt.  

I had some initial judgment, but I'm glad to say I’d now recommend attending to a friend not just for the advice, but for the sense of belonging I felt in a relatively short time.  

I didn’t want to leave this tiny haven and go back to the office.  

But I knew I had to.  

Because that’s the adult thing to do.  

Armed with new self-care tricks up my sleeve, I venture back into the finger-reddening cold.   

As I speed-walk my way through campus, I quietly “vooo” and think to myself:  

“Maybe I’ll unpack those totes sitting underneath my bed when I get home.” 

About Adulting 101 

Adulting 101 is a skills-based workshop series developed by DMACC Counseling professionals Rebecca Papian and Shannon Peterson to support students navigating the practical, emotional, and interpersonal challenges of adulthood. The interactive sessions focus on core life skills — including stress management, communication and boundaries, time management, values, purpose, and goal-setting — with tools students can apply immediately. 

Offered on the Ankeny and Urban campuses, the workshops are strengths-based and responsive to the real-life challenges students are expressing in real time. As the series has grown, facilitators have found that Adulting 101 fosters not only practical skill-building, but also connection and a sense of belonging among participants. 

For more information, visit dmacc.edu/counseling