What does it mean to be an independent adult? in your opinion, what are the characteristics of an independent person? when did you feel you became an independent adult? what are the biggest challenges of being independent? what aspects of becoming independent required from others? what is the biggest adjustment you made in the process of becoming independent? what are the biggest rewards of being independent? what's the biggest surprise you discovered after becoming an independent adult? is there a certain age at which people should be independent? if yes, what is it, and how did you determine it? in your opinion, why do some people never become independent adults, or take a long time to become such? what advice can you share about personal responsibility for finances and debt? what advice can you share about searching for and selecting a job? how did you determine what type of work you wanted to do? what advice can you share about keeping ties with your family while still maintaining independence? did your family treat you like an independent adult once you truly were on your own? what view of independence were you raised with? what advice can you share about education? what role does education play in being independent? what do you wish you had known as a teenager that would have you become an independent adult?