I’m thinking more along the lines of basic skill sets such as managing money, cooking, cleaning, etc. What items might we be missing? Thanks.
-Writing in full sentences, using full words
-Writing a ‘thank you’ note
-Having a phone conversation with a stranger (interview, doctor, customer service, etc.)
-Putting the phone down every now and then
-Advocating for yourself
-Things to think about when visiting a doctor on their own
-Don’t be afraid to call in an emergency, no matter how bad
Car maintenance if they will have one
Laundry
When DD was in HS, we focused on laundry, banking/finances, and self advocacy. The making doctors’ appointments and the like were intimidating for her ; )
-money management (checking account, debit and credit cards)
-what to wear to certain events, meetings, etc.
-party/drinking/going out: don’t drink the punch, don’t leave friends alone/behind, don’t leave drinks unattended, it’s ok to fill cup with water, soda or nurse the same beer all night
-use fake ID at your own risk
-but…don’t ever hesitate to call, we always have her back
Symptoms and handling of common illnesses, how to tell meningitis and mono from flu, when to go see a doctor vs. go to ER vs. just take it easy for a few days.
How to address and get proper postage on something you are mailing. I kind of assumed my kids knew that, but turned out they didn’t. One kid mailed a resume for an internship (org requested it via regular mail), and it had postage due when it arrived. Stunningly, org hired her anyway.
@yucca10 Can you tell me how so I can tell D19? 
Try to get to bed at a reasonable hour, i.e. before 3am
Very, very basic home repair, with a gift of a tool kit. Both grown kids told us over and over how much use those got even in college.
Trust your instinct and do what it tells you. It is way better to simply be embarrassed for looking silly running away or locking your car door or leaving a party or seeking help from someone, etc., than the alternatives that can happen waiting to see how a potentially bad situation plays out.
@Mwfan1921 The neck stiffness is always a top clue, but doesn’t always happen. But if it does with flu symptoms, to the ER immediately.
This is still a good article, give me chills when I read it every time.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/04/02/santa-clara-university-meningitis-survivor-returns-to-school/
I heard Trumenba is down to 2 doses as well (use to be three) so some of this may be need to be updated…but here’s some other info…
Also try to learn what the symptoms to mono and strep throat are. Several cases so far last year at son’s school
But aren’t some people’s instincts too sensitive (many false positives, resulting in unwarranted fear), not sensitive enough (many false negatives, resulting in unknowingly entering dangerous situations), or otherwise incorrectly sensitive (overly fearful of some low risk things, but insufficiently fearful of some much higher risk things)?
Seems like calibrating the instincts properly is at least as important.
We tackled laundry over winter break. Went surprisingly well, he barely needed me at all.
Not cooking per se, but how to fix a decent lunch, nuking leftovers w/o causing havoc, etc.
Very basic car maintenance. Like how to put air in his tires, how to get an oil change, etc.
Definitely how to dress!! That’s been harder since the climate will be so different than what he’s used to. We look at alot of clothing websites. LOL
How to make Drs appointments, pay co-pays, etc.
Other medical things like how much cold meds to take & when.
Financial stuff. How to check his accts & how to move money from one place to another. Next step will be to get a credit card. How to pay that bill, and building credit since he won’t have any loans.
And just always letting him know that he’s not supposed to know everything & we’re just a text away.
@ucbalumnus I was answering the OP’s question, “What life skill lessons are you teaching YOUR kids for surviving away from home?” My kid’s instincts are highly in tune so wanted to empower them to use/follow them. Certainly not speaking for everyone.
@Mwfan1921 Meningitis - high fever, bad headache and neck stiffness. Mono - throat pain and fatigue that doesn’t go away for a while. Mono is not dangerous by itself but can have complications, so a kid needs lots of rest and shouldn’t try to tough it out. I’m not a doctor, so you should do more research, but to me these are most common campus health scares that aren’t as frequent in general population (not counting drug/alcohol overdose, obviously kids need to know to avoid it themselves and recognize signs of it in others).
Proper table manners for formal dining and of different cultures… should be comfortable at anyone’s table…
How to dance-foxtrot, waltz, Western swing, cha cha
How to dress and having the proper wardrobe for any occasions…suit, tux, tails… formal dinners, charity balls to funerals, business dinners…
This is for those who like this kind of stuff and have to opportunity to be fancy…
Laundry, how to use Uber, and how to plan ahead/use a day planner (calendar)
Ask questions. Follow up on things. Don’t just assume people will do what they say. It might be their fault, but you’re the one who got stuck. Be responsible for your own success.
- Be considerate to others and make friends
- Organize and plan ahead
- Exercise, eat healthy, and get enough sleep
- Be observant and pay attention to unfamiliar surroundings