5 Practical Skills Every High School Graduate Should Know

Each year high school graduates line up to receive diplomas, after a childhood and adolescence of academic study. Most students are prepared for college or the world of work academically, but many have no idea how to successfully navigate through some of the upcoming challenges they will face post-graduation. Basic life skills can help graduates get a good start with life beyond graduation. These five essential skills will prepare high school graduates for many of the common, everyday tasks and challenges that young adults may face.

1. How to Manage a Credit Card

Credit cards can be very appealing to young adults. Even credit card holding older adults are enticed by the idea of a buy now, pay later mentality. Credit card companies often target consumers with offers to encourage the use of their credit card. These offers can seem like a great idea at first glance, but new graduates should know the basics of the credit card industry before charging away.

Basic credit card skills include knowing how to determine interest and how to avoid high interest penalties. Many credit card companies lure consumers with low interest rates, which will skyrocket with as little as one late payment. New graduates should be able to understand how interest adds up monthly, and how paying the minimum payment each month may leave them with an never-ending mountain of debt. Since credit cards are often necessary in the adult world, graduates should have at least a working knowledge of how to apply for the best credit card, what interest rates mean, and how to manage a credit card account.

2. How to Get Around

Most high school graduates will need some form of transportation, whether it be for work or school. High school graduates who have a drivers license will be better prepared to get around without requiring transportation by others. This adds to independence and makes it easier to travel to work or school. Learning to drive is a skill that takes practice and time. High school graduates who still need to get a drivers license should look for a mentor to assist with learning to drive, or enroll in a drivers education program.

If a drivers license isn't necessary, learning how to get around the town or city by public transportation can be helpful. Graduates who plan to live on campus in a different town will benefit from taking a tour of the city or town and campus so they become familiar with their new surroundings.

3. How to Budget and Pay Bills

Many new graduates are shocked by the number of bills the average adult has to pay when living on their own. The free rent and utilities at home are finally appreciated when you have monthly rent and utility bills coming in the mail each month. The biggest mistake young adults often make is underestimating their budget for living expenses. Everything adds up.

Creating a budget starts with learning how to estimate expenses and comparing those with income. A working budget should try to include at least some room for unplanned expenses. You never know when a utility bill will be higher, a car may need maintenance, or any other number of surprise expenses.

4. How to Eat Right

Anyone who has heard of the term "freshman 15" is probably familiar with the sudden weight gain many freshmen students at college get after a semester or two of cafeteria food and late night pizzas. Weight gain is easy at college when so many foods are high calorie or high carbohydrate foods. Snacks might be a quick fix for hunger, but junk food snacks will only add to weight gain over time and a dorm living lifestyle. Those high school graduates who move into their own place are also at risk of developing poor eating habits.

Eating the right foods and learning how to cook a few basic healthy meals will go a long way in helping new graduates practice good nutrition. Learning how to cook breakfast, simple dinners, and even how to shop wisely at a grocery store can give high school graduates some practice and experience towards developing meal planning skills. A fast food drive through diet will only add up to health problems in the long run.

5. How to Make Money

High school graduates who are ready for the world of work are going to find the transition to earning money for a living much easier than those who have no idea how to find or keep a job. Learning how to write a resume is key to landing a good job, as well as developing some basic interview skills. One way to learn some important job skills before graduation is to try out different part-time jobs.

Some high school graduates may want to incorporate their natural skills with the type of part-time or full-time job they seek. The best jobs are ones where your skills and personality are a match with the job. A career inventory might help to identify areas where interests and abilities match the job type. Most high schools and local libraries will have materials for career exploration.

Ultimately, the degree to which a high school graduate can find and maintain a means to earn a living will determine how well they adapt to the adult world of work. For some high school graduates, college may be work for a few years, while others may need to focus on entering full-time work. No matter what the choice, learning how to make money is an essential skill that all high school graduates should seek to develop.