For many people, college is the first time they are living without their parents. Here are some skills that can help make the transition easier.
The first useful skill is knowing how to clean up after yourself and operate a dishwasher and laundry machine. Everyone needs clean dishes and clothes, and you do not want to be known as the messy roommate. Although these skills seem mundane, they are very important for keeping your life in order.
Another crucial skill to work on is your time management. In high school, most people’s days are relatively structured. You arrive at school at 7:30 in the morning and have classes until 2 in the afternoon, but in college, you only have a couple of classes a day with a loose schedule. It is important that you make time for your responsibilities, since no one will tell you when to do so, but also have time to relax. According to Harvard, some ideas to help include creating a calendar, setting reminders, and more.
As stated by collegeraptor.com, another important skill to have is changing a tire or jump-starting a car. These skills can be very useful if you find yourself in a difficult car situation.
If you are attending a city school, a helpful skill to master is using public transportation. Many colleges in the city limit the number of students who are allowed to have a car on campus, so you will likely utilize public transportation sometime during your four years. If you do not know how to use it, it can be intimidating, but it is very useful for getting around a city.
A fifth life skill to possess is basic first aid, according to jlvcollegecounsling.com. You should know what medicines you need to take or bandages to apply if you have an issue. It is also vital to learn which cases you can stay home and manage on your own, and when you need to go to the doctor/hospital.
The final skill to learn is how to advocate for yourself and hold yourself responsible. In high school, your parents may have called your teacher or held you accountable for your grades, but in college, no one will do that. You are responsible for recognizing that you are struggling in an area and asking for help; your professors will not reach out to you. Many professors have office hours throughout the week that you can attend to receive further elaboration on your questions and assistance with your assignments. No one knows what you need to be successful unless you state it and advocate for yourself.
Overall, these are good life skills to be able to perform before you head out into the world.
