Thank you for subscribing!
Yes! You’re finally headed off to college. Your first true taste of freedom and independence. However, with great freedom also comes great responsibility. What will you eat every day? How does the washing machine work? How do you pay your bills? Read and master these 20 essential life skills you must have before going to college.
1. Learn how to do the laundry
You may have had good luck with your mom or dad doing your laundry until now, but in college you’ll have to manage cleaning your own clothes. Your dorm will have laundry rooms for you to use. If you are not in a condo, there will be a few laundromats in the area. As it turns out, doing laundry is actually pretty easy. If you can learn how to do this before leaving home, great. If not, that is video It can give you a quick and easy run: don’t forget to separate your whites from your colours!
2. Know how to cook
Basic cooking is a skill that everyone should have. It may sound boring or difficult, but the basics are actually quite easy—and if you live in an apartment without a meal plan, developing basic cooking skills is really essential. For example, you will be surprised how easy it is to do this scrambled eggs or macaroni. If your budget allows, you can order in or eat out on campus, but it’s better and cheaper to make your own meals. Choose some meals that you like and learn how to cook them. If you’re still lost, you’ll have plenty of new friends who can show you a recipe or two. Cooking a meal together with friends can be a fun activity when you have the time. If you need some inspiration, here it is 30 easy meals you can prepare with just an oven and stove. Pro tip: Cook big portions over the weekend to save time for studying during the week.
3. Manage your money
Most teens are not financially independent before going to college. You may still get help from your parents when you’re in college, but you’ll have more freedom to spend money. It’s smart to set a budget for yourself so you know how much you can spend on groceries, school expenses, and fun. You can use an app like Mint To help you stay on top of your budget. The last thing you want to do is end up in huge debt.
4. Have a bank account
Managing your own bank account is as “adult” as it gets. College may be the first time you open a bank account on your own. You should know how to use an ATM to withdraw money, and if you work part time, it is also important to know how to deposit checks as well. Many banks now offer a mobile deposit service, allowing you to deposit checks on the go, without having to go near an ATM! If you are planning to get a credit card, use it responsibly and pay your bills on time so that you will have a good credit score.
5. Balance between work and fun
You are likely to have a lot of fun in college, during Welcome Week and beyond. You may tend to go out a lot every night of the week. There are plenty of opportunities to socialize and make memories, but it is important that you stay focused on your main goal, to get a degree! Knowing the balance between working hard and having fun is a skill that you will take with you for the rest of your life.
6. Maintain an organized space
All those years of your parents nagging you to clean your room may finally pay off in college. Keeping your room organized, your bed made, and having a tidy study area is very important for productivity. If organizing isn’t easy for you, here are several things you can do to get started:
- Write to-do lists that you need to do
- Disinfect clothes that you don’t wear
- Use shelves to keep books organized
- Get a place for everything so you don’t get lost
- Make your bed every morning → a good habit that leads to the following
7. Time management
Learning how to manage your time efficiently is a skill that can literally save you time. You will have a busy schedule in college, especially during finals week. It is important to know how to divide your time between all of your responsibilities. Learn how to prioritize so that you tackle the most important tasks first. You can use a planner to write your schedule and tasks, or an app like Google Calendar. If your phone is distracting you, put it on silent mode or turn it off.
8. Basic sewing
If the button falls off your shirt, there is no need to throw the shirt away. You simply need to learn how to fix it. Having some basic sewing skills under your belt can be very beneficial. You can just turn it into a file Bedroom sewing!
9. Get to know the gym
Exercise has a lot of benefits for both your physical and mental health. College is a lot of mental work, and stress, so working out can be the perfect release. There are a lot of things you can do in the gym such as cardio, weights, dance classes, yoga, squash, racquetball and more. Learning about the gym early can help you learn about the activities you like best. It can also help you learn how to do them safely, because things like weight lifting can sometimes cause injuries.
10. Iron the shirt
We know this is total, but there it is We are Times you want to look stylish. The last thing you want is to show up to an interview or formal event in a crumpled shirt. Learn how to use an iron So that you immediately make a good impression.
11. Clean out your living room
One essential life skill that no one ever tells you about is that you need to keep your living space clean. Things like dirty dishes in the sink or garbage that has been left out for too long can create some nasty issues in your life. Old dishes in the sink For example, it can spread bacteria and germs around your living space, which can then cause stomach problems. Not taking out the trash can spread bacteria and germs. It can also cause a foul odor to spread in your living space, infesting flies and other insects. You can pay someone to clean your house, but a more economical solution is to create a weekly schedule of when to do the chores. If you are not sure how to do something, just google it. You will find it very easy to use the right supplies. Not only that, cleaning can be a great break from studying, and it can make you feel like you’ve accomplished something when you’re done.
12. Take public transportation
You may not go to college in a big city, but even many colleges are big enough to have their own bus system. It is useful to know how to take the buses yourself. Google Maps is a godsend and can easily help you get from point A to point B. If you’re going to college in a city with a subway system, you’ll want to learn about that, too.
13. Maintain good hygiene
We hope you will maintain healthy practices, such as brushing your teeth and showering, throughout your life. But now that you live far away from your mom and dad, you might be tempted to throw your healthy habits out the window. Please take care of yourself, if not only for you, your roommates can too. Wash your hair and body, brush your teeth, and clean your hands after using the bathroom. Make sure to use deodorant daily, and reapply after working out.
14. How to take care of your health
Everyone should know what to do when they get sick or get injured, not just students pursuing a medical degree. Learn the differences between different over-the-counter medications, how to treat minor cuts, and when it’s time to see a doctor. Don’t let pesky colds and infections linger, instead go to the doctor. It also wouldn’t hurt to know CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. It’s a good idea to have a DIY first aid kit with some bandages, hydrogen peroxide, pain relievers, and cold medicine in your room.
15. Take care of your mental health
Living alone for the first time and dealing with stress in college can take a toll on your mental health. It is very important that you make time to do things for you. This means getting enough sleep each night, exercising, and doing what you need to de-stress. For some this might mean meditation, for others it might be a run outside or a coffee date with a friend.
If you’ve been feeling down for a while, make sure you take care of yourself. according to StatesmanMore than 41% of college students report that they have spoken to a therapist before. College is the perfect time to talk to a therapist for the first time if you haven’t already. You can discover more Low-effort self-care tips here.
16. Goal setting
Setting goals gives you motivation, helps you stay focused, and makes you more productive with your time. If you know what you want to work at after college, use the time until then to gain relative experience and take classes in that particular field. Your short-term goals might include getting a summer internship or participating in a research project. Set realistic and achievable goals. Don’t be afraid to change your goals along the way if they no longer work for you.
17. Pay bills
When you live alone, you will be responsible for paying your bills. Keep a physical or digital folder for all your expenses, such as electricity, rent, car insurance, and phone bills. This can be very helpful if there are any disagreements. Make sure you pay your bills on time so your internet connection doesn’t go out.
18. Write a professional letter
You might be a great texter, but that won’t be helpful when you’re trying to write an email to a potential employer. You need to know how to address potential teachers and employers professionally. And for everyone’s sake, leave the emojis out.
19. Write a resume
Now that you’ve applied to more advanced positions, having a resume is crucial. It can literally make you make or break an interview! Need help writing a resume? paying off How to write a badass resume.
20. Rock interview
Scary interviews! But with the right preparation, you’ll be a confident guest of interviews. Before you interview, make sure you introduce yourself to the company. This means who the team is, their mission, and any other information you can find online. If you’re on the shy side, “practice” interviews with friends and family can help. Need more tips? These tips about rocking interviews Good place to start.
Final thoughts
College is a time for many firsts, such as living alone and paying your bills. These 20 life skills to master before you leave college will help you transition into the “adult” stage and ensure you have a successful college experience.