- Many students arrive on campus with no experience managing their time, money, or mental health.
- Life outside of the classroom (budgeting, grocery shopping, cleaning, dealing with roommates) can be just as difficult as academic life.
- These 20 life skills can help students stay healthy, organized, and better equipped to get through their first year.
As families navigate decisions regarding housing, orientation dates, and class schedules, one area that is often overlooked is Life skills. The transition from high school to college is one of the biggest changes a teenager will face. While some schools may offer study habits in sessions, far fewer address what it takes to function day to day.
The cost of not being prepared can be high. Students who don’t learn how to manage stress or money early may be more likely to drop out or take longer to finish their studies. Parents often assume that their children already know these skills or will discover them along the way. But being proactive helps students feel more confident from day one.
Here are 20 practical skills every rising college student should practice before heading to campus. If you want more inspiration, watch this video:
Financial basics and budgeting
Let’s start with financing. Your new adult child needs to know these things for the rest of his life.
Set up a personal budget using a simple app or spreadsheet
Before classes start, students should know how much they will spend each month and where the money is going. A basic spreadsheet or budgeting app like Monarch or Copilot can help track food, books, transportation, and entertainment.
With a budget, you have to do it with your own style. If you are not an App User, the apps will not work. If you like pen and paper, use a notebook. If you like spreadsheets, check out Tiller. But whatever the case may be, you need to create a system to track budget or spending.
Here are our picks for the best budget apps >>
Monarch Financial Dashboard.
Open a current and savings account
Whether it’s a local bank near campus or an online account, students should be able to check balances, transfer funds, and detect unusual activity.
Your student also needs a checking account in their own name. No more joint accounts. This protects them and you (you don’t want any mistake on their part to ruin your financial future). You can use services like CashApp or Zelle to transfer money.
Remember, your child needs to link their checking account to their financial aid account so they can get any refunds they are owed.
See our picks for the best checking accounts for college students here >>
Learn how credit cards work
Students need to understand the basics of credit and credit scores – and how this number can affect their finances for the rest of their lives. Bad credit? Your financial life will be more expensive due to increased security deposits, higher insurance and more.
You can also consider getting a student credit card to get started.
Check out this list of the best credit cards for students >>
Complete the FAFSA and compare financial aid offers
Even if parents handle most of the paperwork, students must learn how to access their FAFSA, compare aid packages, and understand what is a loan versus what is not.
They should be actively involved in the financial aid process. If you haven’t already reviewed your financial aid award, here’s a guide to reading your financial aid awards.
Set up calendar alerts for tuition, rent, and other billing deadlines
Late fees can add up. Missing work can be costly. Missing tasks can lead to failure.
Using a calendar to track important dates helps prevent missed payments, account holds, and unnecessary stress. If they haven’t started planning for work, school, and personal life yet – this is a project that needs to start now.
Check out our guide to the best calendar apps for students >>
Health and household skills
College is usually the first time many people live away from home for the first time. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Grocery shopping and planning meals for the week
College dining halls may not always be open or accessible. Knowing how to stretch your grocery budget through meal planning saves money and reduces eating out.
Plus, it’s much easier to grab a snack or meal in your room sometimes instead of having to search for food all over campus.
Learn how to cook at least five meals
Being able to prepare some simple meals (such as pasta, stir-fry, or tacos) gives students options beyond eating food in the microwave.
Plus, it’s just a life skill to have!
Food safety
Understanding refrigerator temperatures, nutritional labeling, and leftover safety helps students avoid waste and illness.
Teach them how hot to cook chicken (165 degrees), how long food can sit out before being thrown out (2 hours), and how to reheat food safely (again, 165 degrees).
Food safety is essential!
Washing, drying and folding clothes
Doing laundry right means knowing when to use cold water, what items to hang to dry, and how to prevent shrinkage or stains. Don’t make the dorms the first place your child does their own laundry.
Saying that again – make sure they know how to wash their own clothes!
How to replace a button with basic sewing skills
Although not every college student must be a tailor, being able to repair a simple tear or loose button can save money and extend the life of their clothing.
Plus, let’s be honest – there will be some parties and tricks where costumes and clothes may be needed, so this can come in handy.
Clean the bedroom or bathroom
Colds, flu, and other illnesses spread quickly in close quarters. Regular cleaning keeps rooms livable and helps avoid conflict between roommates.
Additionally, no one wants to share a bathroom with someone who doesn’t clean the sink, leaves toothpaste marks on the counters, or dirty the toilet and doesn’t flush it. Cleaning is a sign of respect.
Make sure your child knows how to clean surfaces, vacuum, and disinfect common areas.
Related to: The ultimate packing list for the bedroom
Scheduling medical appointments
Whether it’s an annual checkup or a sudden illness, students should know how to contact a doctor (and who to call — urgent care, nurse line, primary care, emergency room), carry insurance information, and know where the campus clinic is located.
Dealing with minor injuries using basic first aid knowledge
Keeping a small first aid kit and knowing how to treat cuts, blisters, and headaches prevents students from needing a trip to urgent care for every little concern.
Things will happen, it’s life. They should know how to handle the basics.
Stress management
Late nights and the pressure to succeed can take a toll. Learning how to protect sleep, find time to move, and take breaks is as important as studying.
Now is a good time to make sure they understand good sleep and exercise habits and where to find campus resources if they need them.
Spotting early signs of anxiety or depression and knowing where to seek help
Mental health challenges often arise during college. Realizing that something is wrong — and knowing that help is available — can make a big difference.
Here is a list of 11 low- or no-cost ways to get help in college.
Everyday problems and safety
Finally, there’s the simple aspect of doing something new that doesn’t happen very often: moving to a new area, dealing with housing, a new school.
Personal data protection and online safety
Students should know how to create strong passwords, avoid phishing attempts, and protect financial and academic accounts from hackers.
This is especially important as they create new bank accounts and new logins for school.
Be sure to read our guide on eight steps to protecting your personal financial information.
Time management skills to balance classes, study and social life
College schedules vary from day to day. Writing a weekly plan that includes class times, study periods, and break periods can help students avoid falling behind.
Here’s a guide to mastering time management skills >>
Handle roommate conflicts calmly and respectfully
Part of becoming independent is learning to share space, communicate boundaries, and compromise without texting a parent to intervene.
And let’s be honest: Roommates may be a part of your child’s life for the next 10 years.
Read the lease or housing contract and understand the tenant’s rights
Whether it is on-campus housing or off-campus rental, students should understand what they are agreeing to, especially the rules regarding deposits and damages.
Students should also understand the basics of renters insurance and what is covered if something happens. If you haven’t considered bedroom renters insurance, now is a good time to shop!
Check out the best bedroom renters insurance here >>
Get an emergency kit and learn about campus safety procedures
Every student should know where to go during a lockdown, how to contact campus security, and keep a flashlight, charger, and first aid kit on hand.
Emergencies happen, and although campus teams will help, having the basics can go a long way in the event of a power outage, natural disaster, or other emergency.
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