10 Essential Life Skills Your Child Needs Before Going to College

As your child prepares to transition from home to college, it's important they master certain life skills to navigate their new independent lifestyle successfully. If your child is moving away and planning to live on campus, you won’t be there to help them with everything.

Hence, here are 10 essential life skills every parent should ensure their child learns before heading off to college.

1. Waking Up Independently

In college, your child won’t have their parents waking them up each morning. Learning to set and adhere to their own alarm schedules is crucial to ensure they get to classes, exams, and other important activities on time.

Time management is also important. College life involves balancing classes, study time, social activities, and possibly a job. Effective time management is key to staying organized and reducing stress.

Tips for Success

Set a Routine: Encourage your child to develop a daily routine that includes consistent wake-up times and designated study periods. Maintain a regular sleep schedule to improve wakefulness.

Use Alarms: Advise them to use both a traditional alarm clock and their phone to ensure they wake up on time for classes and other commitments.

Prioritize Tasks: Teach them to prioritize tasks and focus on high-priority assignments first to avoid last-minute stress.

2. Managing Money

College brings new financial responsibilities that your child may have never experienced while living at home (such as paying the utilities bill).

Some colleges will have people on campus trying to get students to sign up for a credit card and your child needs to know how to say no. Having one credit card may be important for emergency situations, but there is no need to have more than one at this time in their life.

To help your child avoid debt and live within their means, here are a few tips to follow:

Create a Budget: Help them track their income and expenses to understand where their money goes.

Avoid Unnecessary Spending: Teach them to be cautious with credit card offers and only use credit when absolutely necessary.

Build an Emergency Fund: Encourage them to set aside money for unexpected expenses.

3. Doing Laundry and Maintaining Cleanliness

Knowing how to do laundry and maintain a clean living space is essential for your child’s comfort and hygiene in college.

For starters, encourage them to keep their living space tidy by regularly organizing their belongings. Emphasize the importance of cleaning up after themselves – taking out the trash, washing dishes, and vacuuming their room – to maintain a healthy environment.

Remember to teach them to be considerate of roommates by keeping shared areas clean and organized.

Laundry Tips

Sort Clothes: Show them how to separate whites, colours, and delicates to prevent damage and colour bleeding.

Use the Right Settings: Explain the importance of using appropriate water temperatures and cycle settings for different fabrics.

4. Basic Cooking Skills

Basic cooking skills are essential life skills.

Without parents to prepare meals, it's easy to fall into unhealthy eating habits (e.g. regular consumption of instant noodles).

While college dining halls offer a variety of foods, it's crucial for your child to make healthy choices and know how to prepare basic meals. Help them learn a few simple recipes like pasta, stir-fry, and salads that can be easily prepared in a dormitory kitchen. Ensure they know what items can be safely used in a microwave to prevent accidents.

Healthy Eating Habits

Balanced Diet: Encourage them to include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in their diet.

Moderation: Teach them the importance of moderation, especially with junk food and sugary drinks, to avoid feeling sluggish and maintain their health.

5. Navigating Public Transportation

In many college towns, public transportation is the most practical way to get around, especially if your child doesn’t have a car.

Tips for Using Public Transport

Research Routes and Schedules: Help them familiarize themselves with local bus or train routes and schedules.

Understand Payment Methods: Ensure they know how to pay for fares, whether through transit cards, mobile apps, or cash. This may sound trivial, but it is important especially if your child is used to being ferried around in a car.

Stay Safe: Teach them to remain alert and aware of their surroundings when using public transportation.

6. Self-Advocacy

In college, your child will need to handle their own issues and seek help independently. Developing self-advocacy skills is crucial. Here’s how they can do it:

Communicate with Professors: Encourage them to visit professors during office hours for help or clarification.

Utilize Campus Resources: Make sure they are aware of resources like academic advisors, counselling services, and resident advisors.

Practice Assertiveness: Teach your child to express their needs and concerns effectively. e.g. politely but firmly decline activities that conflict with their schedule or values.

7. Basic First Aid

At some point, your child may get sick or injured. Knowing basic first aid can help them take care of minor health issues independently.

First Aid Essentials

Stock a First Aid Kit: Ensure they have bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and other essentials.

Understand Medications: Teach them what over-the-counter medications to take for common ailments.

Know When to Seek Help: Advise them on when it’s necessary to see a doctor or visit the campus health centre.

8. Personal Safety

Even on a safe campus, it’s important for your child to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to protect themselves.

In particular, they should avoid walking alone at night. Encourage them to use campus escort services or walk with friends after dark. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid shortcuts through secluded areas.

One other aspect your child should take note of is their online activities. Remind them to limit sharing their location and personal information on social media.

9. Coexisting with Others

Sharing a dorm room requires patience and cooperation. Learning to coexist peacefully with a roommate is essential.

In order to live harmoniously with their roommate(s) or housemate(s), it is important to establish open communication from the start to discuss expectations and boundaries. Teach them techniques for resolving conflicts amicably without resorting to arguments.

One way to avoid unnecessary conflicts is to respect differences. Help your child understand that people have different habits and preferences, and it’s important to respect those differences.

10. Learning to Say No

College life comes with numerous social opportunities and potential peer pressure. Knowing how to set boundaries is essential. Make sure they don’t feel pressured to engage in activities if they’re not comfortable.

Know Their Priorities: Encourage your child to focus on their academic and personal goals, letting them guide their decisions.

Avoiding Substance Use: Reassure them that it’s okay to decline invitations to drink, smoke, or use drugs.

By ensuring your child masters these essential life skills before starting college, you can help them navigate the challenges and opportunities of independent living. Preparing now will lead to a smoother transition and a more successful college experience.