What Every Student Heading Off to College (or to the Workforce) Should be Able to Do

by Katherine O'Brien, MA CCPS, Founder of Celtic College Consultants

 

Regarding Working

1.     Write a cover letter and resume.

2.     Send a professional email to a potential employer or a colleague.

3.     Search online for open positions/jobs you are interested in.

4.     Make a call inquiring about a position.

5.     Create and maintain a LinkedIn profile.

6.     Keep all social media posts appropriate for the kind of work you are doing and/or hope to do.

7.     Prepare for a job interview by researching the company via its website and social media.

8.     Know how to dress for a job interview.

9.     Know how to behave for an interview, with talking points about qualifications for the position, questions for the interviewer about the position and company, and small talk to fill in any gaps in the conversation.

Regarding Finances

10.  Create a monthly budget.

11.  Monitor your spending.

12.  Limit expenditures to what is within the budget.

13.  Know how to plan meals and grocery shop and maintain a healthy diet and within the budget.

14.  Know how to manage your finances, balance your accounts, transfer money to other accounts, withdraw money, pay bills, monitor balances.

15.  Look for an apartment within a budget.

16.  Be able to track expenses, prepare taxes, and maintain organized records.

Regarding Relationships

17.  Work out living arrangements and shared costs in an equitable and agreed upon manner with his or her roommates.

18.  Successfully negotiate issues of privacy, tidiness, cleanliness, expenses, responsibilities, guests, etc. with his/her roommate(s).

19.  Be able to move into a new apartment or dorm room without parental assistance.

20.  If living away from home, call home regularly without reminders.  Texting is ok but regular calls are essential; hearing each other’s voices is important.

21.  Remember and do something for family birthdays and holidays without being reminded.

22.  Know how to buy and deliver a gift for family and friends.

23.  Write/email thank you notes when others do kind things for you.

24.  Answer texts and emails within a reasonable amount of time, especially if they are from Mom or Dad.

25.  Nurture and maintain your own relationships with relatives and family friends.

Regarding Health

26.  Be able to find a doctor, clinic, urgent care clinic, and emergency room that takes your insurance without help.

27.  Know how to schedule a doctor’s appointment and keep it.

28.  Know how to use health insurance and keep records of medical expenses.

29.  Be able to fill and refill a prescription.

30.  Know your own health history and basic health history of your parents.

31.  Know how to listen to your body’s needs for sleep, nutritious food, exercise, prayer, social time, quiet time.

32.  Know basic first aid and how to manage basic illnesses.

33.  Make prudent decisions regarding sexual behavior, aware of the health, moral, and psychological consequences.

34.  Handle alcohol prudently.

Regarding General Life

35.  If in college, plan your courses so you will graduate on time, meet all pre-requisites, have a balanced course load from term to term.

36.  Be able to speak knowledgeably about some of the major issues of society.  Be aware of what’s going on in the world, and be prepared to vote.

37.  Vote.

38.  Make and change travel arrangements using transit, bus, plane, train, and automobile, hotels, B&Bs, etc.

39.  Be able to prepare basic meals and clean up the kitchen afterwards.

40.  Be able to treat spots on clothing and launder your clothes.

41.  Be able to sew buttons on clothing.

42.  Be able to get a haircut/style.

43.  Have a driver’s license or state issued identification card.  Optionally, have a passport.

44.  Choose friends wisely.  Learn to extend trust carefully.

45.  Be able to resolve conflicts with peers, superiors, and business relations.

46.  Ask for help as needed – tutoring, mentoring, counseling, etc.