Key Life Skills For Incoming College Freshman

As families juggle decisions about housing, orientation dates, and class schedules, one area that often gets overlooked is life skills. The transition from high school to college is one of the biggest changes a teenager will face. And while some schools may offer a session study habits, far fewer address what it takes to function day to day.

The cost of not being prepared can be high. Students who don’t learn how to manage stress or money early may be more likely to drop out or take longer to finish their degree. Parents often assume their kids already know these skills or will figure them out along the way. But being proactive helps students feel more confident from day one.

Here are 20 practical skills every rising college student should practice before heading to campus. If you want more inspiration, check out this video:

Financial Basics And Budgeting

Let’s start with finances. Your new adult needs to know these things for the rest of their life.

Setup a personal budget with an app or simple spreadsheet

Before classes begin, students should know how much they’ll be spending each month and where the money is going. A basic spreadsheet or budget app like Monarch or Copilot can help track food, books, transportation, and entertainment.

They with a budget is that you have to do it in your own style. If you’re not an “app person”, apps won’t work. If you like pen and paper, use a notebook. If you like spreadsheets, check out Tiller. But no matter what, you need to create a budget or spending tracking system.

Here’s our picks for the best budgeting apps >>

Opening a checking and a savings account

Whether it’s a local bank near campus or an online account, students should be able to check balances, transfer funds, and spot unusual activity.

Your student also needs a checking account IN THEIR OWN NAME. No more joint accounts. This protects them, and protects you (you don’t want a mistake on their part to ruin your financial future). You can use services like CashApp or Zelle to transfer money.

Remember, your child needs to link up their checking account to their financial aid account so they can get any refunds due to them.

See our picks for the best college student checking accounts here >>

Know how credit cards work

Students need to understand the basics of credit and credit scores – and how this number can impact their finances for the rest of their lives. Bad credit? Your financial life will be more expensive due to bigger security deposits, higher insurance, and more.

You can also look at getting a student credit card to start.

Check out this list of the best student credit cards >>

Completing the FAFSA and comparing financial-aid offers

Even if parents handle most of the paperwork, students should learn how to access their FAFSA, compare aid packages, and understand what’s a loan versus what doesn’t have to be paid back.

They should be actively involved in the financial aid process. If you haven’t already gone over your financial aid award, here’s a guide to reading financial aid awards.

Setting calendar alerts for tuition, rent, and other bill deadlines

Late fees can add up. Missed work can be costly. And missed assignments can lead to failing out.

Using a calendar to track important dates helps prevent missed payments, account holds, and unnecessary stress. If they haven’t started planning work, school, and personal yet – this is a project that needs to start now.

Check out our guide to the best calendar apps for students >>

Health And Household Skills

College is typically the first time that many people live away from home for the first time. Here’s some things to keep in mind.

Grocery shopping and planning meals for the week

College dining halls may not always be open or accessible. Knowing how to stretch a grocery budget with meal planning saves money and cuts down on takeout.

Plus, it’s a lot easier to simply have a snack or meal in your room sometimes than having to hunt for food around campus.

Know how to cook at least five meals

Being able to make a few simple meals (like pasta, stir fry, or tacos) gives students options beyond microwave food.

Plus, is simply a life skill you should have!

Food safety

Understanding fridge temperatures, food labeling, and leftovers safety helps students avoid waste and illness.

Teach them how hot you should cook chicken (165 degrees), how long food can stay out before it needs to be tossed (2 hours), and how to reheat food safely (again, 165 degrees).

Food safety is essential!

Washing, drying, and folding clothes

Doing laundry correctly means knowing when to use cold water, which items to hang dry, and how to prevent shrinking or staining. Don’t make the dorms your child’s first go at doing their own laundry.

Saying this again – make sure they know how to do their own laundry!

How to replace a button with basic sewing skills

While not every college student needs to be a tailor, being able to fix a minor rip or loose button can save money and extend the life of their clothes.

Plus, let’s be honest – there will be some parties and shenanigans where costumes and attire may be needed, so this can come in handy. 

Cleaning a dorm room or bathroom

Colds, flu, and other illnesses spread quickly in close quarters. Regular cleaning keeps rooms livable and helps avoid roommate conflict.

Plus, nobody wants to share a bathroom with someone who doesn’t clean the sink, leaves toothpaste marks on the counters, or dirties the toilet and doesn’t clean it. Cleaning is a sign of respect.

Make sure your child knows how to clean surfaces, vacuuming, and disinfecting shared areas.

Related: Ultimate Dorm Room Packing List

Scheduling medical appointments 

Whether it’s for a yearly check-up or a sudden illness, students should know how to call the doctor (and who to call – urgent care, nurse line, primary care, ER worthy), carry insurance information, and know where the campus clinic is located.

Handling minor injuries with basic first-aid knowledge

Keeping a small first-aid kit and knowing how to treat cuts, blisters, and headaches keeps students from needing a trip to urgent care for every small concern.

Things will happen, it’s life. They should know how to handle the basics.

Managing stress

Late nights and pressure to succeed can take a toll. Learning to protect sleep, find time to move, and take breaks matters as much as studying.

Now’s a great time to make sure they understand good sleep habits, exercise, and where to find campus resources if they need them.

Spotting early signs of anxiety or depression and knowing where to seek help

Mental health challenges often emerge during college. Recognizing when something isn’t right—and knowing that help is available—can make a big difference.

Here’s a list of 11 low or no-cost ways to get assistance in college.

Everyday Problems And Safety

Finally, there’s the simple aspect of doing something new that doesn’t happen often: moving to a new area, dealing with housing, and a new school.

Protecting personal data and online safety

Students should know how to create strong passwords, avoid phishing attempts, and protect financial and academic accounts from hackers.

This is especially important as they create new bank accounts and new logins for school.

Make sure you read through our guide on the 8 steps to protect your personal financial information.

Time-management skills to balance classes, study, and social life

College schedules vary from day to day. Writing out a weekly plan with class times, study blocks, and breaks can help students avoid falling behind.

Here’s a guide to mastering time management skills >>

Addressing roommate conflicts calmly and respectfully

Learning to share a space, communicate about boundaries, and compromise without texting a parent to intervene is part of becoming independent.

And let’s be honest: roommates could be a part of your child’s life for the next 10 years.

Reading a lease or housing contract and understanding tenant rights

Whether it’s campus housing or an off-campus rental, students should understand what they’re agreeing to, especially rules around deposits and damages.

Students should also understand the basics of renters insurance and what’s covered if something does happen. If you haven’t thought about dorm room renters insurance, now’s the time to shop!

Check out the best dorm room renters insurance here >>

Have an emergency kit and know campus safety procedures

Every student should know where to go during a lockdown, how to contact campus security, and keep a flashlight, charger, and first-aid kit within reach. 

Emergencies do happen, and while the campus teams will help, having the basics can go a long way if there’s a power outage, natural disaster, or other emergency.

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