Life Skills You Need As You Leave High School

Table of Contents
Laundry
You must know how to clean your own clothes. Shocker right? But you would be surprised. This means you need to know if something will get messed up in the dryer, if those jeans bleed blue onto your other clothes, and if you have an allergy to the really really cheap laundry detergent. Start washing and drying your own clothes while you are still at your house. It is way easier to figure things out there.
Learn what the settings on the washer and dryer mean and if you need them. For me, I don’t ever use but two. Learn if everything you own can be put in the dryer or if you have to hang stuff up. Learn how to get basic stains out. Shout and Oxiclean are lifesavers. Learn to fold your stuff when it gets finished drying or face wrinkled clothes. There is nothing wrong with taking your laundry home, sometimes. But do not hold on to all your dirty stuff for a whole month and then expect mom to clean it all. Shame on you.
Change a Tire
This one might surprise you. But if you have a car, then you need to be able to do emergency maintenance on it. That means if you have a flat tire, you can’t call your dad from two states away at college and expect him to fix it. You need to be able to do it on your own. I have changed 4 of my own tires in my life and it has saved me lots of time and money. Get your dad, brother, or boyfriend to show you how it is done, or be brave and watch some youtube videos. Make sure you know where the jack is in your car, that you have all the parts, and that you know how to use it. Make sure your spare tire is in good condition and you can access it. For me, I got an extra long-handled wrench to turn the lug nuts so I have enough leverage. Gals, this can seriously make the difference between being able to do the job yourself or being at the mercy of the first passing “gentleman”.
Take into account what would make it easier for you if a flat happened. I also have a can of fix-a-flat and an air compressor in my car, both of which have saved me on more than one occasion. Essentially make sure that you can take care of yourself should your car decide to leave you stranded.
Schedule Your Own Appointments
Handle Your Own Medication
Handle Your Own Money
How to Feed Yourself
Personal Hygiene
These are skills that aren’t specific to tech school, college or the work force. It doesn’t matter where you are headed once you leave high school, you need to learn and get comfortable with all these skills if you want to set yourself up for success. There is no downside to learning these skills and they will absolutely make your life easier. Learn them well and learn them early. You can thank me later.