As families are staying home together in this time of quarantine, it is a good opportunity to begin to teach your high school student basic life skills that he/she will need in college. College readiness is not only about academics but also about being prepared to live independently. Below are a few basic life skills that all students need to master prior to leaving for college:
Time management
College is a busy time for students. Students need to be able to keep track of their time and with the myriad of classes, activities, studying, and writing papers, calendar apps on their phones are perfect for these tech savvy students. Fantastic 2, Timepage or Google Calendar are just some of the apps that students can download. In addition, these apps have reminder settings that students can set reminder notifications minutes, hours or days before an activity. Have your student start keeping track of his/her time while in high school, this way it will be second nature to him/her when they are at college.
Money Management
Take this time to discuss college finances and cost with your student. As we all know, college is very costly. However costs go beyond tuition, room and board. Whether you're giving your student a monthly allowance or they are getting a part -time job while at school, he/she needs to know how to track expenses. Most banks offer student checking accounts with debit card and online banking. Teach them how to track deposits and withdrawals using online banking services.
If you plan on giving your student a credit card most likely you will be the responsible party. Set limits on how and when he/she can use the credit card and make sure you discuss with your student who is paying the monthly charge before handing the card to your student.
Perform Basic Chores
Most household chores get done during the day while students are in high school. Since they are home all day, have your student help with basic household chores. Show him/her how to separate, load and turn on the washing machine and dryer. Have him/her vacuum and dust and show him/her how to use different cleaning products. With everyone eating at home, it is a great time to teach your student basic cooking techniques. Maybe even have him/her make a meal!
Being Self-sufficient
Students who know how to fend for themselves are better prepared to use the safety nets that colleges offer. To be self-sufficient, students need to be able to make decisions for themselves and problem solve. Decision making and problem-solving requires critical thinking and creativity and both of these skills need to be nurtured throughout high school and in place by the time the student goes to college.
The pandemic of 2020 has turned our lives upside down, however; soon our lives will go back to a normal routine and we will be sending our kids to college. Use this time to make sure that your son/daughter is ready to handle the challenges of college and to live independently.