When we send our teens off to college, we often focus on the physical essentials — like extra-long sheets and shower caddies — while overlooking the “invisible” life skills they need to survive on their own. Here are the essential skills your teen needs before they leave home:
The courage to ask for help: Teens often feel that confusion is a sign of failure; they need to know that reaching out to a professor or advisor for help is a vital part of being an adult.
Recovering from setbacks: College is often the first place a high-achieving student faces a bad grade or a social rejection; they need practice getting back up and understanding that a single struggle doesn’t define their future.
Building personal structure: Moving from a micro-managed high school schedule to total freedom is a shock; teens must learn to create their own routine, such as regular sleep patterns and meal times, to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
It was easy to feel comfortable and connected to my children during the middle school years. This sweet spot stretched into junior high, peaked, then heartbreakingly plummeted off the charts. Overnight, I became an annoying person who knew absolutely nothing. Banned from being seen in public with them, I was forced to parent on the sidelines. Everything changed. How did it happen that I’m now officially ‘The Enemy?’
Reduce stress with a clear plan for each semester (grades 9–12) to help your teen find colleges that are an academic, social, and financial fit.
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