Life Skills to Teach Your Teen Before They Leave for College

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Most colleges don't teach students how to do laundry, manage money, or handle conflict. Here's the practical life skills list parents wish they'd covered before drop-off day.

By Justina Thompson

Tags: budgeting-money, college-transition, parent-guardian, sage-scholars-program, student-housing

Life Skills to Teach Your Teen Before They Leave for College

Parents want to prepare their children for success in every aspect of their lives. One of the most important ways to do that is teaching practical and necessary life skills that will serve them in their transition to college and life. Instilling these skills in your high schooler ensures they have the necessary tools to navigate adulting with confidence and ease. This article will break down some essential practical life skills parents should teach their high schooler before they head off to college.

Time Management

Time management is one of the most essential skills for success in college and life. Knowing how to manage time helps others to view your child as dependable, reliable, and responsible. High schoolers often juggle multiple responsibilities, including schoolwork, extracurricular activities, care-taking, and part-time jobs. Teaching your high schooler how to prioritize tasks, set goals, and create weekly and month schedules can help them stay organized and on track. Encourage them to use tools like planners and online calendars to keep track of assignments and deadlines. Breaking large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can also help to reduce overwhelm. Mastering time management skills early on will help prepare your child to handle the demands of college life. For more resources on time management, check out these Newsroom articles:

Money Management

Financial literacy is another crucial skill for young adults. Many high schoolers have part-time jobs. Some may even receive an allowance. It's important that your high schooler how to budget and manage their money wisely. In college, they'll be responsible for managing living expenses. Encourage your child to keep track of their expenses, learn how much things cost, and then save for long-term goals. Show them how to compare prices, avoid impulse purchases, and make informed decisions about spending. Helping your child develop good money habits early on helps set them up for future financial success. To learn more about money management, read these SAGE Scholars Newsroom articles:

Basic Cooking Skills

College students notoriously live off ramen noodles and takeout. In addition to not always presenting the best options for healthy eating, takeout expenses can add up quickly. Knowing how to cook simple, healthy meals can save them time, money, and improve overall well-being. Teach your high schooler basic cooking skills, such as how to chop vegetables, cook pasta, and follow a recipe. Get them involved in the kitchen during holidays or other gatherings that require cooking. Show them how to plan meals, shop for groceries, and stock a pantry with essential ingredients or versatile 'kitchen staples.'

Encourage your high schooler to experiment in the kitchen and develop their own go-to meals for when their schedule has less expendable time. Even for freshman, learning how to prepare and cook things quickly will help to lessen the stress and fast paced atmosphere of college life. Sometimes, their schedule will not always permit or allot enough time for a dining hall visit. Mastering basic cooking skills helps your high schooler maintain healthy habits and know how to feed themselves nutritiously even on a limited budget or with limited time. For more articles about meal prep and healthy eating, explore these Newsroom articles:

Laundry Skills

Doing laundry is a necessary part of adult life. Many high schoolers might not be comfortable with this skill. Teach your child how to sort, wash, and fold clothes to empower them to take care of this basic chore on their own. Show them how to read care labels, use different cycles and temperatures, and how to remove stains. Demonstrate how to properly fold and hang clothes to prevent wrinkles and keep them looking fresh. Putting away clothes and keeping them from wrinkling has the power to reduce potential disorganization and mess while living in a small dorm. Encourage your high schooler to develop a routine for doing laundry regularly. This way, they will always have clean clothes available while also becoming more independent and self-sufficient.

Basic Car Maintenance

For incoming freshman, not all campus will allow students to bring cars. If your child has a medical exception, is an athlete, or works a campus job that requires a vehicle, there might be exceptions to this common rule. When your child does bring a car to campus, it's important to teach them some basic car maintenance skills to keep their vehicle running smoothly. Show them how to check the oil, tire pressure, and fluid levels, and how to change a flat tire. Teach them how to jump-start a car, replace windshield wipers, and keep the interior and exterior clean. Help your high schooler familiarize themselves with the car owner's manual and schedule regular maintenance checks. Equipping your child with these basic car maintenance skills can help them avoid costly repairs and stay safe while commuting.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is essential for success in college and in life beyond campus. Teach your high schooler how to express themselves clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing. Help them to practice active listening skills, remain curious by asking questions, and seek feedback when they might need assistance. Show them how to communicate professionally via email, phone, and social media. Many college students arrive on campus not understanding email conventions. On campus, your high schooler will communicate with their professors primarily through email. Making a good first impression will be important. Help them to understand the importance of titles, like addressing their professors appropriately with "Dr." followed by the Professors name and closing an email with an appropriate convention, such as 'thank you' or 'best wishes.'

While in high school, encourage your high schooler to participate in debates, presentations, and group projects to build their confidence and improve their communication skills. Honing your high schoolers communication skills will better equip them to navigate social interactions, collaborate with other students and community members, and advocate for themselves in various situations, like grade inquiries or extra classroom assistance.

Problem-Solving Skills

Life is full of challenges and obstacles. It's important for your child to develop strong problem-solving skills. Teach them how to identify problems and take the time to respond instead of reacting to a problem by brainstorming solutions. Weighing the pros and cons can also help your high schooler and make more informed decisions in day-to-day college life. When problems do arise, help your child to think critically, analyze situations from different perspectives, and seek help when needed. Actively show them how to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps and learn to stay calm under pressure. Fostering your high schoolers problem-solving skills now helps your child become more resilient, adaptable, and resourceful when daily problems, big and small might arise. Visit the Newsroom to learn more about conflict resolution and problem solving:

Self-Care Skills

College can be a stressful and overwhelming time for many students. New daily demands, change of routine, more rigorous academics, while also potentially living away from home all contribute to new stressors. Teach your high schooler how to prioritize daily habits that improve their mental and physical well-being. When adapting to a new routine, encourage them to schedule and practice self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, journaling, and spending time with friends and community members. Teach your high schooler the importance of getting enough sleep, eating nutritiously, and staying hydrated. Encourage them early on to establish a routine for self-care and to make time for activities that bring them joy and relaxation. Prioritizing their self-care will help prevent a downward spiral of overwhelm freshman year.

Teaching your high schooler practical life skills before they head off to college is essential for their success and well-being during this major life transition. Instilling these skills early on helps prepare your child for the challenges of young adulthood and encourages them to navigate the many moving pieces of living on their own ease. Time management, money management, basic cooking and car maintenance skills, all help your child make a smooth transition to campus life. The practical life skills outlined in this article help to equip your child with the tools they need to thrive.

Justina Thompson

Justina "Farmer J" Thompson is the Farm Education and Volunteer Manager at Urban Creators, Philadelphia, PA. Justina intentionally attended school in Philadelphia so she could “connect her passion and experience to the ongoing environmental justice work in the area.” As a speaker, educational curriculum designer, program leader, and community organizer, Justina possesses extensive knowledge on urban farming inspired to work in the field of environmental justice from a young age.

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