Things to know before heading to college: The List

Things to make sure your child knows how to do 

before heading off to college

A hundred gajillion years ago, when my kiddos were still teensy weensy, I talked with a woman who had a high school senior.  She said that she had seen an article in the newspaper with a list of all the most important things kiddos should know how to do before they headed off to college.  She said that she cut the article out of the newspaper, and put it up on the fridge, where she and her son could look at it every day during his senior year.  Throughout the year, the two of them worked on the list together, making sure that by the time he left for college, he knew how to do each and every one of the items on that list.

As my children have aged, I have started amassing my list of "to dos," and thought I'd post it here.  As the list grows, I'll add to it.  And if any of you have further suggestions, I'd love to add those to the list.  Here's my list (in no particular order) so far:

The List

1. How to cook and prepare 7 full meals (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners) from scratch.
2. How to plan meals and then go to the store and buy for the planned meals
3. How to choose good cuts of meat and the best produce
4. How to sew on a button
5. How to iron a shirt
6. How to tie a tie (and a bowtie)
7. How to wash, dry, and fold clothes
8. How to treat a stain on clothes
9. How to wash dishes (prepping dishes for the dishwasher, and washing by hand)
10. How to clean the bathrooms
11. How to vacuum and dust
12. How pump their own gas, check oil, change tire, check air tire pressure, and jump start a car.
13. Have the phone number to a plumber/electrician/car mechanic/towing service if ever needed.
14. How to balance a checkbook / manage a bank account
15. How to pay bills (with a check and with online banking)
16. How to plan and stay on a budget, including how to get and use coupons.
17. How to file taxes
18. How to apply for credit cards, understanding fees and the impact of credit cards on your life, etc.
19. How to read a credit report and manage credit / improve credit score, how check credit report annually and dispute inaccuracies
20. How to save for retirement, including how to invest money and having an emergency fund.
21. How to write and maintain an effective resume
22. How to look for, and apply to a job
23. How to ace a job interview
24. How to look for and rent an apartment 
25. How to schedule and confirm doctor appointments and have prescriptions filled.
26. How to effectively use birth control
27. How to administer First Aid (burns, cuts, sprains, broken bones)
28. How to administer CPR
29. How to administer the Heimlich maneuver
30. How to treat common illnesses--cough, fever, flu. 
31. How to treat insect bites, or poison ivy, or bee stings.
32. How to do minor home repairs. Unclog toilets/drains, change lightbulbs, properly hang pictures, etc. 
33. How to turn the water off to a toilet or sink if there is a leak
34. How to turn the gas or electricity off/where to find the switches to do so
35. How to operate a fuse box
36. How to fix running toilets, clogged toilets, clogged drains, and leaking faucets
37. How to use a drill
38. How to paint a room (including taping, painting trim, and rolling paint on walls)
39. How to use a fire extinguisher
40. How to put out different types of fires
41. What to keep on hand for an emergency (batteries, candles, etc.)
42. How to be a respectful houseguest
43. How to maintain a lawn (mow, weed, plant bulbs, flowers, and vegetables)
44. How to keep up on the news, government, etc.
45. How to drive 
46. How to swim 
47. How to use public transportation 
48. How to register to vote
49. How to contact their state and national representatives
50. How to be aware of one’s surroundings and how to be able to defend themselves in scary situations 
51. How to put on make up appropriately
52. How to shop for clothes that fit and flatter
53. How to open a bottle of wine  
54. How to fix one mean cocktail
55. Read the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”
56. Raise your kids to use common sense, try to do as much for themselves as possible, and know when to ask for help and who and/or where to go to for help when they need it, they'll be ok to get started in life out from under our wings.

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