In a previous post we talked about life skills to know before heading off to college, but there are plenty more that aren’t taught in schools or at home regularly anymore! If you don’t know how to do any of the tasks listed below, now is the time to ask or look it up. You don’t want to be lost on how to proceed when life happens or you have to make professional connections.
Some of these you’ll definitely already know how to do, but make sure to set aside some time before freshman year to figure out the ones you don’t.
Home Care
Flickr user Loren Kerns
How to…
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Do dishes
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Use small space efficiently
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Make a bed
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Clean the bathroom
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Organize your clothes
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Tell if food is spoiled
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Handle clogs or other plumbing issues
Life Management
Flickr user Patrick
How to…
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Balance a checkbook
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Track internet accounts and passwords
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Use your checking and savings accounts
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Grocery shop without buying too much
Transportation
Flickr user State Farm
How to…
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Check your car’s oil and other fluids
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Check tire pressure
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Talk to a mechanic
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Read a car manual
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Not get towed
Personal Stuff
Flickr user Michelle
How to…
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Recognize your limits
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Motivate yourself
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Relax
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Vote
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Pack a suitcase
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Use health or car insurance
Professional Stuff
Flickr user Brian’s Dallas Habitat for Humanity
How to…
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Set up a job interview
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Research potential opportunities
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Tie a tie
Student Stuff
Flickr user Penn State
How to…
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Ask for help
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Use school resources
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Read quickly yet efficiently
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Research professors
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Deal with a difficult printer that says it’s out of ink, but absolutely isn’t
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Create a study and homework schedule
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Type correctly
There is definitely a lot of things you need to know before you head to college or the working world. It can be a lot to deal with! However, knowing how to handle these things now can help you avoid mistakes or problems in the future.
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