Skills You Should Know Before Leaving for College

High school spends a lot of time focusing on what you need to be academically ready for college, but some of the most essential skills you need to succeed aren’t taught in school. Professors, therapists, career counselors and parents share the practical knowledge they think you should have before you leave home for college.

  • How to apologize well - Being able to genuinely say you’re sorry, take responsibility for your mistakes without blaming or trying to justify is a skill worth mastering for anyone. Learning how to do it as a young adult will help you in college and long after in both personal and professional relationships.
  • How to do laundry - If you don’t know how to wash, dry, fold and put away your own clothes, learn what to do before you’re overwhelmed in the dorm laundry room. Y’oull also need to know how to wash your bedding and how often to do so.
  • How to listen to your body - Pay attention to your bodily cues and to listen to what they’re telling you. To move toward people, places and ideas that light you up and have you buzzing with positive energy, and to not ignore things that leave your stomach in knots or your shoulders tense.
  • How to be assertive - You will need to be able to advocate for yourself and communicate effectively and share you thoughts and opinions. Speak up for yourself, then listen to feedback as you get better at it.
  • How to create and maintain a healthy routine - You’ll need to know how to prioritize healthy habits like sleep, eating nutritious foods, being active and hobbies that make you happy, all while balancing time spent studying, working and partying, since it is college we’re talking about.
  • How to stay on top of important letters and emails - Learn to recognize official correspondence from the school or work and actually read it, paying attention to deadlines.
  • How to stick to a budget - Learn to manage your money and how to be able to say “no” when you reach your spending limit.
  • How to clean a bathroom - Learn the basics that go into a weekly bathroom cleaning, even if you’re living in the dorm as a freshman.
  • How important it is to connect with people and find true friends - Get to know people different than you are and to be open to new experiences with your new besties.

Source: Huff Post


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