<p>I feel like it’s my last chance to get my teen ready to fly the nest.
Here are some lifeskills my son still needs to learn.
Anyone else want to add their hopes/experiences/thoughts?</p>
<p>1) setting his own alarm
2) wearing his retainer
3) cleaning his retainer (!)
4) studying ahead
5) using a wallet
6) using a watch (he uses his cellphone to check time)
7) using a credit card</p>
<p>What’s wrong with #6? Its what I do. A watch is just one more thing to keep up with, and Im not going to accessorize a cheap watch with a nice button down and khakis, or drop $200 on a nice watch. And as for #5, that’s something he should be doing already…</p>
<p>that is some list!!!</p>
<p>I would add:</p>
<p>learn to wash his clothes
learn that sheets need to be washed at least quarterly
make plane reservations online
write a thank note
how to tip</p>
<p>because if you are in a meeting or something, and you look at your cell phone, it APPEARS you aren’t paying attention, but a tip of the wrist is less obvious</p>
<p>most business people have watches…its kind of a grownup way to be</p>
<p>I agree, a watch is not only efficient, but much more professional in the workplace, or even in the classroom. If I had a nickel for everytime a professor got upset at someone looking at a cell phone with the excuse "I was checking the time:</p>
<p>How to keep track of imortant documents, and what to do if a wallet is stolen with a credit card and driver’s license in it. </p>
<p>How to balance a checkbook, make deposits, watch bank/ATM fees</p>
<p>Advice on seeking help early when having trouble with a concept. Making sure he knows what resources are available.</p>
<p>I’ve had to pare down the weight I carry because I have a bad shoulder. I don’t carry a purse; I don’t use a wallet; I don’t wear a watch. ID and a credit card and a few bucks in one pocket (I don’t buy clothes without pockets, preferably zip pockets at that) and a cell phone in the other. When I travel I use the cell phone alarm, too.</p>
<p>As for the retainer, my D points out that it is HER mouth and she’ll have to pay for more orthodonture if she doesn’t wear it… mostly she does.</p>
<p>I think any set of life skills needs to focus more on the actual needs rather than on adherence to custom. It is rude to check the time during any kind of meeting–whether it’s done obviously or not. </p>
<p>As for what to do if a wallet is stolen, there are good preventives that make it easier to deal with. Take everything out of the wallet and photocopy or scan it (I use my scanner). When my license was stolen, it took me a few minutes to replace—because I had the scan. </p>
<p>I think the biggest life skill ever is not being afraid to ask for instructions or directions or assistance.</p>
<p>Yeah, but this thread is titled “Life skills to get ready for college”, not the board room. Buying a watch that looks nice with an expensive ralph lauren shirt is easier to do when you’re not getting paid $7.00/hr.</p>
<p>-Realize that your roommates exist too.
-Clean the bathroom every now and then.
-Take out the trash every now and then.
-Consider what your eating.
-Make time to work out.</p>
<p>I kinda like the idea of a single electronic accessory serving multiple functions…it’s the way of the future! my son thinks a watch is totally obsolete and I agree.</p>
<p>-Remember to take your supplements that Mom so lovingly packed for you</p>
<p>-Look people in the eye when you speak to them.
-Understand how to use credit wisely. (Read and understand the fine print on a credit card offer!)
-Understand the effects of alcohol on your system. In other words, how much is too much. (Especially if they don’t drink!)
-Understand that people make stupid choices under the influence of alcohol and that they are far more likely to get mugged when they are drinking. My D’s both say that people get mugged all of the time on campus. 99.9% of the time the people who get mugged are drunk and make stupid choices.
-Know how to read a map, and get around.
-Know how to use public transportation
-Know how to write a decent thank you note and when it’s appropriate to send one.
-Know how to use all of the forks and glasses on the table.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Know how to get yourself to the airport with all proper documents and ID, take a cross country flight that includes a connection, and get yourself and your luggage to your destination in one piece.</p></li>
<li><p>He probably won’t need it in college much, but pretty soon he’s going to need to know how to iron a shirt.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Great suggestion, coureur!</p>
<p>I sent 2 boys and a girl off to college, but FIRST…</p>
<p>Open a door for others and walk in behind them. (notice: gender neutral)</p>
<p>Offer to give up a bus seat for anyone elderly, disabled, or carrying a baby.</p>
<p>When phoning, first utter a greeting (“Hello…”), say your name clearly, and THEN ask for whom you seek.</p>
<p>Chew with your mouth closed. (Actually, mine were all good for this, but when I saw a b.f. doing this I almost ejected him from our house). </p>
<p>No more gum at seminars or committee meetings. It makes a person look stupid. </p>
<p>Sew a button, iron a shirt, cook a basic meal for others (spaghetti, omelette).</p>
<p>Learn how to inquire, then remember (or make note of) a person’s name on the phone
when you’re trying to get permissions (bureaucratic).</p>
<p>After hearing a verbal “yes,” request written or e-confirmations of anything that matters a lot (financial, academic, etc.).</p>
<p>After hearing a verbal “no,” ask, “With whom may I speak to discuss this further?”</p>
<p>How to Drive. One of my 3 kids didn’t want to learn to drive and left for college at age 17. Once they leave, it’s sometimes hard to make enough time during vacations to handle this essential life skill, get licensed and have supervised practice until they’re pretty good at it. Now that one graduated, lives in another city with no car to practice on. It just got away from us. Big nuisance.</p>
<p>p3t-Its pretty rare when we college kids call someone on anything other than their cell, and when we do, its likely that we’re programmed in their phone, and they know who’s calling before they pick up. “sup” is my standard greeting for my male friends. I give a little more effort if Im talking to a member of the opposite sex, or an employer.</p>
<p>Agree with everything above and add:</p>
<p>-How to be the “squeaky wheel” in a nice way.</p>
<p>-How to build relationships by exercising empathy and thoughtfulness. Send thank you notes and put yourself out to do a favor. </p>
<p>-Make travel plans way in advance, it creates less stress and saves money. </p>
<p>-Don’t be too trusting. Lock doors. Don’t leave valuable things lying out. Use that cable lock for the laptop.</p>
<p>VYSE, you’re absolutely right about cellphones! Unique Ringtone, calling source ID, and “SUP…?” is all you need.</p>
<p>I was thinking more for those formal times, like talking to college administrators/professors, potential employers, or parents of g.f.'s when you have to use a landline, which I bet doesn’t happen much any more at all.</p>
<p>I agree with the above, It’s never too early to teach professionalism, it does indeed help a lot when dealing with professors and other authoritative figures.
Another few points
-Well balanced diet. Junk food only causes tiredness and loss of concentration.
-Clean the bathroom after you use it will keep it clean and you won’t notice the effort after a while.
-Clean kitchen utensils and plates right after using them, don’t let them pile up in the sink, bacteria isn’t your friend.
-Febreeze, Bedrooms can stink up pretty quickly, Preferably anti bacterial, spray in the morning so that it will be dry by night.
If the kid is living in an apartment, all of this will be essential.</p>
<p>-Stand up when a respected figure walks into the room.
-Always hold the door for women, and press elevator buttons for them (be polite as possible)
-Iron clothing, polish shoes, keep laundry baskets or bags around, never throw dirty clothes on the floor.
-Make sure your work area (Desk) is organized efficiently, this goes for all school documentation as well.
-Keep cell phone charged at all times, do not forget to plug it in at night (learned this the hard way)
-School work first, NO PROCRASTINATION!
-No swearing or cussing when women are around!
-Jeans and sneakers do not match with a button down and a tie.
-Keep personal belongings, especially wallet and any other documents that can be used for identification in a safe place (preferably a locked up safe.) College kids are always having friends and strangers over and you never know what can happen to your personal belongings.
-BACK UP all school work, anything done electronically should be backed up physically and kept in a safe place where it can be retrievable at any time.
-Always use protection!</p>
<p>and last but not least, NO MEANS NO!</p>
<p>This is all stuff I have found to be very useful in shaping myself into a responsible adult.</p>
<p>-it takes a lot of work and a long time to re-create a stable group of friends. lots of trial and error.</p>
<p>-independence is sometimes lonely</p>
<p>-professors are people too and really like it when you talk to them</p>
<p>Advice about keeping important documents together (ie:social security card, birth certificate, and passport) in a safe place. Many students take them, and many don’t bring them.</p>