As a teenager, the prospect of going to university can be both exciting and intimidating. While you may be looking forward to the independence and freedom that comes with university life, it’s important to consider the new responsibilities you’ll be undertaking.
Things that were once sorted by your mum and dad will now fall onto your shoulders. So it’s essential to learn some basic life skills before you embark on this new chapter.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the key skills that every teenager should know before setting off for university.
Budgeting
University life can be expensive – with the majority of campuses being located in the centre of major cities with a high cost of living, it can be tough to live off of a student loan. Therefore, it can be helpful to learn how to properly manage your money before you get there.
Take some time to learn about student finance, the different student bank account options, and the process of creating a simple budget. This can help you to make more informed choices when it comes to your everyday spending, allowing you to easily track what you can afford to spend in a given period.
Time management
Although you may have some experience with time management from school, university takes it one step further. Without dedicated tutors or teachers to chase you, it’s up to you to keep track of your own deadlines and ensure you deliver the work on time. What’s more, you’ll often have multiple tasks to juggle at once, so it can easily get overwhelming.
To help make this more manageable, it’s useful to practise some time management skills ahead of time. A good place to start is to use a calendar or app to note down your tasks, allowing you to easily prioritise ones that have upcoming deadlines.
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Cooking
If you’re used to relying on your parents or resorting to fast food for your meals, learning how to cook can be a game changer. Cooking your own meals not only saves you money, but it’s often healthier and more satisfying.
Start by learning some basic cooking skills, such as chopping vegetables and boiling pasta. This provides you with a great starting point, as
these ingredients are cheap and readily available.
Over time, you can start to experiment with simple recipes and gradually build your skills. The most important thing is not to be intimidated by cooking.
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Safety precautions
In university, you’ll likely be living in a shared space with one or more other students. Although this is a great time to make friends and socialise, it’s important to keep your wits about you and take necessary precautions in order to keep yourself and your possessions safe.
Those aged 16-24 are most likely to be targeted by household burglars, often due to the high-value items typically found in shared accommodation. To protect yourself, make sure to lock your door whenever you leave your room, and consider storing valuable items in a locked container.
Summary
Taking these steps ahead of your upcoming adventure to university can make the transition much easier, equipping you with the necessary skills to handle your new responsibilities.
This exciting time in your life is all about learning, so prepare as much as you can and you’ll have a great headstart.
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About the Author:
Samuel Townsend is a life coach, helping people to find their purpose and reach their goals. He is an organised person and enjoys sharing his tips and tricks with others. When he’s not working, he often plays tennis and spends time with his dog.
