10 Basics Every High-School Graduate Must Know About College

The desire for high school graduates to experience the adult world is extremely high, but there are more to it than just the longing. It takes quite some time to effectively practice the rudiments of college life. Besides the academy aspect of it, there are other basic life skills that need not to be overlooked in order to have a wonderful experience in college. How would you know the basics of college life? Below are the key things you will need to know for a happy stay in college.

10 Basics You Need To Know About College

1. Finance Management

Piggy bank with young man worrying in background

Managing finances is one key aspect you need to handle squarely to have a splendid stay in college. It is true that teens like online banking, but it is essential that they get conversant with writing and endorsing of checks, using deposit slips and visiting the banking halls in person. They need to be financially savvy in terms of comparison of prices, handling unfair fees and be sensitive to possible scams. A budget should be in place based on the available income – money from both scholarships and parents.

2. Handling Your Basic Self-Care

As a teen, you should be able to handle your laundry properly without any complications – how to sort by color when washing, water temperature to use and the required heat needed when ironing different fabrics. Also, they should learn how to hem or hand-stitch a torn clothing, sew on buttons and have a sewing kit ready for such repairs.

3. Learning Cooking Skills

College student creates home-cooked meal.

Learning cooking skills is a vital aspect you wouldn’t want to ignore learning. Apart from being healthier for you, it is way cheaper than eating out at all time. For you to perform excellently in your academics, then you must pay attention to healthy cooking. While eating pasta on daily basis is quite economical, adding stuffs such as fruit, vegetables, and proteinous content will boost the nutritional value of the meal.

 4. Use Transportation 

Before leaving high school, it is essential for every teen to learn how to drive, including driving on highways, at night, and in all weather conditions. This is what true independence means. They should also know how to go about it if an accident occurs. But owning a car isn’t the only way of transportation; knowing how to use public transportation is also important. Teens should understand how to call a taxi, access the subway and how to read a bus schedule.

5. Maintenance & Upkeep

Be it an apartment or a dorm room, teens should know what it takes to take care of it. It will save you from paying for damages if you learn how to hang frames without damaging the walls. Regular cleaning of floors and bathrooms will make provide a neat environment and save you the stress of serious cleaning when the school year is over.

6. Be Security Conscious

A man stalking college students.

Since your parents won’t be around you most of the time, teens should not compromise their security for whatsoever reasons. This means being mindful of strangers, locking doors, and understanding the effect of drugs and alcohols on behavioral changes. Self-defense, first aid, and CPR are the key safety skills needed.

 7. Problem Solving 

Teens must know how to handle problems amicably – be assertive, to ask questions and speak up when need be. If you have a roommate, you must know how to set boundaries, settle disputes, voice out concerns and compromise. At this point, parents need to allow their kids take some reasonable decision in solving their own issues.

8. Looking For A Job

Students looking for a job

It doesn’t matter if you are going to college or to work, as a teen, you will soon need to get a job. While most schools help students write their resumes, they need to know how to hunt for jobs off and on campus. It is called “job hunting” because you need to hunt, request for help, networking with colleagues, etc.

9. Get Involve In Exercise

After high school, it is easy to ditch exercise because you no longer take part in sports and physical education classes. Teens should set out a routine for exercise and make it part and parcel of their everyday lives. They can either get involved in a sport league or join a health club. This will keep them fit always and help them handle stress better.

10. Develop Social Skills

Happy college students looking at mobile phone in park

It is understandable and excusable for a high school student not to lack social skills, but it becomes abnormal for a college teen. It is important to know how to relate with people perfectly – shake hands, initiate simple conversations and look others through the eyeballs. While some teens are cocky when it has to do with confidence, others are too shy to speak up. Having a balance of both – not being timid but not overconfident will play a crucial role in their lives.