Stepping out feebly into the world

That's it, I am an adult. My childhood dreams of living on my own and cooking for myself (I've always considered it a mark of being "grown up" to be able to cook legit meals) are finally coming true... sort of. I've got two room mates and in an apartment that always seems to have something wrong with it and cooking by oneself is way more complicated than I thought. Maybe I haven't quite reached my dream lifestyle yet, but hey, I am still in college here.
In fact, my high school class graduated (from college this time) last year, so I am now an "old" undergrad student. 22 doesn't seem that bad an age for someone to still be in school, but realizing the 17 year old I sit next to in class has never lived outside of her parent's house, never been to a college party, and may or may not even know how to do her own laundry, makes me feel too old for this shit. Bad news is I still have a year and a half to go.
I'm taking this as a training opportunity. When I eventually enter the real world of a 40 hour work week all year round, I want to be ready to ace it. I know how to take care of myself as well as any typical college kid, I can cook basic things and clean up after myself, but I want that basic level of comfort kicked up a notch. I need to learn how to cook, not just make recipes. I always end up finishing one part of a dish while I've still got another pan or so going and the overall quality of the food and it's aesthetic value is a gamble every time. I need to get used to things like sauteing and roasting like they're second nature, be able to chop things up in a flash and improvise without ending up with inedible goop. I learn these things now, and I will be able to come home after a nine hour day and make a home cooked meal without it taking 2 hours and all of my energy. And that will take lots of tasty practice, practice, practice!
Here we go!