Photo by Kipras Štreimikis on Unsplash
Article by Katherine O'Brien, ThD candidate, Certified College Planning Specialist
This is what we hope for when we visit our children in their first apartment or dorm suite. Such a scene, full of cleanliness and orderliness, does not happen automatically.
While many of us are aware of good study habits, carefully course selection, the ability to attain top test scores, and basic time management as skills we need to help our teens develop, there are a host of additional skills they also need in order to flourish once they move out of our homes, whether to work or to study at university.
Here is the list I use when I work with my students, particularly during the Spring of their senior year.
Domestic Skills
Meal planning, shopping, and preparation
Cleaning a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area properly
Maintaining a yard - in every season
Laundry - treating stains, sorting clothes, proper care of garments, proper storage, use of a hamper, not the floor for dirty and wet clothes and towels
Cleaning hair out of a sink, shower, and/or tub drain
Pushing chairs in after use/ Tidying up after yourself in general
Trash management - use the bin, not the floor!
Clipping nails over a waste basket
Be a Good Roommate
Say please and thank you as necessary
Make eye contact during conversations
No electronics during meals and around company in general
Be kind to strangers
Be on time
Keep promises
Be trustworthy
Don't gossip
Know how to resolve conflicts and work through difficulties
Financial Skills
Budgeting
Know how to pay bills - online, cash, with check
Understand how insurance works (home, car, life, health)
Understand how debt works, and how to avoid it, and how to get out of it as needed
Understand taxes - how they work, how to file, state, federal
Self Care
Make own appointments
Arrange own transportation - walk, bike, car, taxi/uber/lyft, bus, train, plane
Manage time
Know how to get help when needed - practical, repairs, counseling, tutoring, medical, etc.
Learn from mistakes and failures
What strategies can you use to manage stress?
Pay attention to yourself. Are you flourishing or surviving?
College (and Life) Plan/Goals
What do you want to learn? Academically, personally, socially, etc.
How do you want to show up? Be intentional.
What experiences do you want to have? To avoid?
Networking - who and what kinds of people do you want to meet? social, professional, professors, mentors, peers, etc.
What programs/opportunities do you want to participate in during your junior and senior year? How can you prepare for them?
How can you best organize your tasks and your time?
