Young Adults: Life Skills for Launch
The following list was created by our University of Washington School of Education Intern. If you are trying to find something to do while quarantined with young adults who may be heading away from home in the future, especially for those who may be moving to dorms, you could help prepare them for moving out! JED has a great website dedicated to helping kids transition into adulthood. They have a basic life skils section on this page.
We think that the current Covid-19 quarantine is the perfect time to get started on this important list of life skills.
As a college student, here are some things I needed to know how to do or wish I had thought to ask before I left:
Make lists/planner
- Work on how to set up a planner:
- Daily calendar
- Agenda
- Bullet Journal
- Your preference
- Online + Google calendar (Google Calendar tutorial here)
Budgeting
- Food
- Rent + utilities + WiFi
- Books + notebooks/lab books + course companions
- Clothes
- Going out + fun
How to clean the bathroom
- Don’t clean the toilet, sink and shower with the same brush
- How to use toilet cleaner
- How to clean a shower
- How to use drain cleaner
Shopping
- When you notice something is running low, buy it before it runs out (e.g. toilet paper)
- Make sure to buy foods for balanced meals
- Keep a running shopping list on your phone
How to ammend an inexpensive packet of Ramen
- Adding vegetables
- Adding meat
- Seasoning
- Eggs
- Sauces: soy, sesame, chili paste, even peanut butter
- Garlic
- Find these and more by clicking here
Microwaveable foods
- Eggs
- Steamed vegetables
- Baked potato (recipe here)
- Mug brownies/cakes
- Pasta
- Find these and more by clicking here
Provide a Sewing Tutorial
- Buttons (click here for a tutorial)
- Holes on a seam (click here for a tutorial)
- Tears (click here for a tutorial)
- Hemming (click here for a tutorial)
Train them to do their own Laundry
- How to separate clothes
- What not to dry
- Removing stains (find some examples here)
- Where/when to put in detergent, softener, bleach
Basic tool usage
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Following instructions
- Especially when building furniture
Communication skills
- Communicating with new roommates
- Setting expectations
- Sharing schedules
- Discuss supplies
- Who brings what?
- Who buys toilet paper and when?
- Be honest and friendly
- Conflict resolution (find tips here)
Mindfulness Apps
- Headspace
- Ten Percent Happier
- Calm
- Insight Timer
Self-soothing techniques
- Hot shower
- Nap
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Distractions
Podcasts
- Mindful Meditation
- Daily Meditation Podcast
- Sleep with Me
- Guided Sleep Meditations
You can also start making a list of everything they might need when they start living away from home. Here is a list of things that could help to start a list:
Hygiene
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush & Cover
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Soap/body wash
- Hand soap
- Cotton swabs
- Baby wipes
- Shower shoes
- Lotion
- Razors
- Nail clippers + file
- Tissue/Kleenex
- Towels
- Hand towels (at least 2)
- Washrags
- Bath towels (at least 2)
- Shower caddy
First aid
- Band-Aids
- Antibacterial ointment
- Rubbing alcohol
- Peroxide
- Steri-strips
- Pain relievers
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
Cleaning
- Bleach or bathroom cleaner
- Toilet cleaner
- Brush for cleaning toilet
- Brush for cleaning shower + squeegee
- Kitchen cleaner
- Sponges
- Dish soap
Laundry
- Detergent
- Softener
- Dryer sheets
- Stain remover
- Lint roller
- Iron
Dishes
- Water bottle! Stay hydrated
- Plates
- Bowls
- Cups + mugs
- Make sure to have microwaveable safe stuff!
- Pots + pans (if stovetop available or single burners)
- Storage containers
- Can opener
Bedding (if moving into a dorm, make sure to check if the beds are Twin XL)
- Sheet set
- Comforter or Duvet and cover
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Extra pillowcases
- Sheet straps (so they don’t slide off, especially if bed is lofted)
- Mattress protector
- Mattress pad
- Storage bags + totes (especially for under the bed or closet storage)
- Shoe rack, can be shared with roommates by the door to help keep floors clean
- Closet organization
- Hangers
- Closet dividers
- Hanging shoe organizer
Misc.
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Tape
- Superglue
- Broom + dustpan
- Step stool
- Sewing kit including extra black and white thread
