As graduation approaches, high school seniors are eagerly awaiting responses from their chosen colleges. Some have already secured their spots through early decision, while others are anxiously checking their emails for updates. The uncertainty can be overwhelming—will they get accepted, deferred, or rejected? Amid this whirlwind of emotions, it’s crucial to prepare them for the next chapter of their lives. Here’s a helpful checklist of skills and knowledge your teens should possess before embarking on their college journey.
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Self-Advocacy Skills
If you’re still reaching out to their teachers or school officials, it’s time to step back. Encourage your teens to ask for help when needed, whether it’s addressing academic challenges or roommate conflicts. Teach them how to communicate effectively and negotiate calmly. They’ll need to feel comfortable approaching authority figures and expressing their needs along the way. -
Navigating Travel Independently
Your teen should be capable of planning and executing local trips by themselves. This could involve using public transportation or figuring out how to get to a friend’s house. If they need to travel far, ensure they know how to handle flight delays or cancellations. If they have a car, they should be familiar with changing a tire and using roadside assistance services. -
Safety and Well-Being Awareness
Safety on campus is paramount, including awareness of sexual assault issues. Discuss strategies for staying safe, such as walking in groups at night and knowing emergency resources available on campus. Make sure they are aware of how to access medical services and manage prescriptions, so they can take care of their health. -
Doing Laundry
They won’t have you around to wash their clothes! Make sure they know the ins and outs of doing laundry, including sorting clothes and using machines. Set them up with detergent and other essentials so they can manage this task independently. -
Basic Cooking Skills
While meal plans may reduce the need for cooking, it’s vital for them to have basic kitchen skills. Teach them how to whip up simple meals—like frying eggs or making a sandwich—so they can fend for themselves when necessary. -
Financial Management
Before they head off to college, ensure your child understands how to manage money. They should know how to create and stick to a budget, understanding their financial responsibilities. Discuss who will cover expenses for outings or travel, and remind them to prioritize expenses wisely, like buying textbooks over non-essentials. -
Building Resilience
Remind your teen that setbacks are a natural part of college life. Failing at something is not the end of the world, and they should develop the resilience needed to bounce back from challenges. Instilling this mindset will help them navigate the ups and downs of college life with confidence.
Once they’re equipped with these skills, remind them to stay in touch! Encourage them to call, text, or send a message home regularly.
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Summary
Preparing for college involves more than just academic readiness. Teens need to learn essential life skills such as self-advocacy, independent travel, personal safety, laundry, cooking, financial management, and resilience. By equipping them with these tools, you can help ease their transition into this exciting new phase of life.
Keyphrase: College readiness for teens
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