You may feel like a grown-up when you leave high school, but you may have a lot to learn! Check out the list below for 5 essential things you should know how to do before you strike out on your own.
After high school, you will probably be out on your own without an unlimited cash flow from Mom and Dad. That's why thinking about the future value of money you make is so important. While it is tempting to spend your paychecks on new clothes, eating out, or a fun new tech toy like you used to, you now have to make a budget for admissions fees, housing, food, transportation, and other everyday costs. Learning how to split your money amongst these bills is super important so that you are not always worrying about if you can eat or make rent that month. If you fail to budget every month, you will struggle to save and invest throughout your life.
2. Do laundry
Once you no longer live at home, you will be responsible for your own laundry. Learning how to separate it into loads and wash and dry items on appropriate cycles will keep you from ruining your clothes. You should also know the basics of ironing so you can look sharp for job interviews and other professional events. Look up video tutorials or ask your parents for a lesson so you are not that person who accidentally dyes their whites pink their first week away from home!
3. Make a real meal
Even if you are living in a dorm with full access to a cafeteria, knowing how to cook at least a few basic foods is important for living on your own. It doesn't have to be a 5 course meal, but learning kitchen basics like how to bake and fry will help you when you get tired of cafeteria food. Spaghetti, eggs, burgers, and salads are all pretty easy to make so you can start there. Cooking skills are a great way to make friends and attract partners, plus you will not be tied down to what your cafeteria offers.
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4. Schedule an appointment
As scary as it may seem, this day comes for everyone. In fact, scheduling appointments is not scary at all! If you are afraid of talking on the phone, many places have online appointment schedulers now so you can just type everything in and show up on your appointment date. If not, you can always practice what you want to say before you call the office or salon. Do not let an illness turn into something serious or your hair grow shaggy just to avoid making an appointment. After you do it for the first time it gets easier and you will feel very grown up!
5. Use public transportation
If you grew up in a big city, chances are you have this one down already. Many people, though, have little to no experience using public transportation. It is not hard but can be intimidating if you are used to driving everywhere. If you are moving to a new city after high school, study the transit system there and figure out which lines you will use to get from your new home to common places like school or work, the grocery store, and a pharmacy. The more you learn before you get there, the less clueless you will feel when you first step aboard the bus or subway.
Each of the things listed above are simple once you know how to do them but can seem difficult at first. Take the time to prepare and you will transition into your new life with ease. Soon these things will come as second nature!
