Even with a military career, Eric Medeiros was still feeling unsure about his financial security.

The military nets him living benefits like housing and clothing allowances, and military healthcare. But the Dartmouth High School junior, imagining what his life would be like at age 25, stopped by a table in the high school gymnasium offering part-time jobs.

“I’m looking to make some extra cash whenever I’m home from a deployment,” Medeiros explained.

He’s still too young to enlist, but he was one of hundreds of juniors participating in the high school’s annual Reality Day on June 8. Each student in the junior class picked a career and assumed the role of their 25-year-old self, explained business teacher Robert Aguiar.

“It’s real life for these kids,” Aguiar said. “Some kids make enough money, but others will have to do it over again.”

Aguiar assigns students a salary using state wage data, taking into account their ages and career choices. They even receive credit scores using attendance data in place of a credit history.

Then its off to dozens of booths staffed by local businesses and volunteers to secure necessary living essentials – housing, clothing, transportation – and, possibly, not-so-necessary items like premium electronics and consumer goods.

Joe Borges from BankFive helped students finance their first cars. Selections ranged from a $5,000 used Subaru Outback to a $66,000 Mercedes SLK350. They were also advised on yearly use, maintenance, and repair costs to guide their decision-making.

“It really gives young people an insight on what they can afford for a vehicle,” Borges said. “A lot of kids looked for the cheapest, but there’s reliability too.”

Providing guidance on all things food was Lori Rosa from Shaw’s and Richard Romero from Mirasol's Café. The pair helped students navigate their grocery bills and manage take-out and restaurant visits.

“A lot of students are shocked at how much groceries cost,” Rosa said, adding that their living arrangements – living with roommates or alone – can create even more challenges.

Hannah Mateus was one of those students surprised by the real cost of food. The aspiring actor was quoted $160 for her grocery bill, one of the larger items in her otherwise modest budget.

“I was surprised that groceries cost a lot,” Mateus added.

But life isn’t perfect, and to account for that, students had to spin the wheel at the “Reality Check” station for a chance at good or bad luck. They risked unexpected expenses, like parking tickets or a sudden rent hike, or positive financial news like free Patriots tickets or a bonus.

“It really is a reality check. It could be positive or negative, just like life,” said Rita Braga from Bristol County Savings Bank, who staffed the table.

Reality Day is an annual tradition at Dartmouth High School. Various volunteer groups have taken it on over the years, and most recently, the school PTO, Dartmouth Rotary Club, and BayCoast Bank have taken the lead in organizing community members and staffing the event, according to Julie Gagliardi, BayCoast Bank’s Vice President of Corporate Giving and Community Relations.

“A major focus of our community involvement is in education,” Gagliardi said. “Students really need to understand how much they’re bringing in before they start spending.”