Congratulations! You’ve graduated high school, found your dream college, moved in, and started classes. Now what?

Starting college is thrilling, but it also comes with new responsibilities. For many, it’s the first time sharing a room, managing finances, or living far from home. College is where you begin to build the life skills you’ll rely on for the rest of your life. From budgeting to cooking, mastering these essential life skills will set you up for success on campus and beyond.

Adulting in College: Key Life Skills We Recommend

1. Budgeting: Taking Control of Your Finances

In college, how you choose to earn and spend your money is up to you. According to the National Center of Education statistics, as of 2020, 40% of full-time college students had a job, while 74% of part-time students had a job. Working during college offers the perfect chance to hone your budgeting skills. Making sure you are covering your books, bills, food, and fun is great practice for the rest of your life.

A great option to help you keep track of it all is SUNY Smart Track, which helps you navigate financial aid, the FAFSA, and loans, while also connecting you with budgeting resources. There are plenty of budgeting tools available online, take a look around and see which one fits your needs. Budgeting is a skill that you can use for the rest of your life, take the time to practice in college.

2.Protecting Your Credit: Building a Strong Financial Foundation

Now let’s chat about credit cards and your credit score. Credit cards are a powerful tool. They can be a convenient way to spend, but if you misuse them you can end up with significant debt. On the plus side, they you can earn rewards and are extremely convenient. Credit cards can also help you become a budgeting pro. Using a credit card forces you to be more cognizant of your spending and adds another element into your monthly budget. Many banks also offer cards specifically for students which can be a good way to start building credit.

Another thing you have to consider is monitoring for fraudulent purchases, accounts, and more. With events like the recent data breaches, many students’ personal information may be at risk. One proactive way to protect yourself is by freezing your credit. Doing so prevents fraudulent accounts from being opened in your name. To freeze your credit, you must do so at all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can unfreeze your credit at any time, you can find methods for all three bureaus here. Certain federal and private college loans require a credit check, so be sure to check their policies before applying.

3. Making Medical Decisions: Taking Charge of Your Health

For the first time, you might be in charge of making important decisions about your healthcare. If you’re not feeling well, it’s up to you to decide whether you need to visit the campus health center or head to urgent care or a hospital. It’s imperative that you sit down and take time to understand your health insurance.

It’s also important to consider establishing a medical power of attorney with your loved ones. A medical power of attorney gives a trusted person the ability to make medical decisions on your behalf in case of a serious emergency where you can’t make a decision yourself. You can read more about power of attorney documents here.

4. Mastering Laundry: Keeping Your Clothes Clean and Fresh

Doing laundry may seem simple, but it’s easy to get it wrong without some basic knowledge, and unfortunately your family isn’t around to pick up the slack.

Start by sorting your clothes, keeping white clothes separate from colors and dark clothes separate from light clothes. Check your pockets, the last thing you want is for a pen to explode all over that nice new campus bookstore sweatshirt. Be sure to read care labels as well, you do not want to shrink your favorite sweater. A routine is a great way to manage your laundry.

Setting a day and time each week to do laundry keeps the task more manageable and stops your laundry from piling up and upsetting your roommate. Also, remember budgeting from earlier? Don’t forget to include your laundry detergent!

5. Cooking on a Budget: Eating Well Without Breaking the Bank

Whether you are living on campus or off, learning some basic cooking skills can set you up for success. Sometimes, the dining hall may not have an option you like and eating out can add up quickly, impacting the budget you already worked really hard to create. When you set out to fill your pantry, start simple. Make a list and grab some basics like pasta and eggs.

Not every residence hall or apartment is going to have full-sized kitchens, work with the space you have and spend some time experimenting with different recipes to find what works for you. Another great option is to meal prep. By preparing some meals in bulk, you can save yourself time.

Schedules can be hectic when you’re running from class to practice to clubs to work and to practice. Knowing you have a meal ready for you ahead of time can take a mental load off of your shoulders. Making a few meals here and there can positively impact your health, as you get to choose exactly how much of each ingredient, seasoning, and sauce goes into your food. To help get you started on your culinary adventure, check out some easy recipes.

Building Independence in College

College is more than academics—it’s where you learn to navigate life as an independent adult. By mastering these essential life skills, you’ll gain confidence and set yourself up for long-term success. Remember, you don’t need to learn everything overnight. Take small steps, practice regularly, and watch as these habits make your college experience smoother and more rewarding.

Ready to take on college and beyond? Start building these skills today, and you’ll be well-prepared for whatever comes next.