12 Life Skills Every Incoming College Freshman Should Know Before Move-In Day

Posted June 26, 2026 by Prairie Wife -

My second Cowkid is about to head to college (gasp), and as a veteran adult child mom, I wanted to share with you 10 Life Skills Every Incoming College Freshman Should Know Before Move-In Day.

While some of the items on the list may seem like common sense, or things that “everyone should already know how to do,” I promise you, there are a lot of kids who head to college not understanding that a successful college experience depends way more on having the right life skills than having good grades.

I’m also posting this list NOW so that if you read it and realize there are some gaps in your child’s skills, you have plenty of time to work on them.

NOTE:  These skills are not listed in any particular order, so the first skill listed isn’t necessarily the most important.

1. Basic Hygiene: I can see you rolling your eyes at this one, but you would be surprised at how many kids were only doing this because someone at home was constantly reminding them! Make sure your child knows that they need to shower regularly, apply deodorant daily, brush their teeth frequently, and schedule their own regular haircuts.  I thought about adding shaving regularly to the list, too, but that’s a personal preference, not a necessity. Clean socks and underwear daily are a must, and talk to them about forming a regular laundry schedule.

2. How to Do Laundry: Speaking of laundry…It’s important to let your child know that they need to wash their clothes weekly, and that their sheets (yes, that includes their pillowcase) need to be washed as well. Comforters and blankets should be washed monthly. Nothing makes a small enclosed dorm room smell worse than a comforter that has never been washed. Make sure your child can do their laundry on their own (the right load size, how to wash, and setting an alarm on their phone to move wet clothes to the dryer), and have them do it at home multiple weeks in a row. Just showing them once how to do it won’t ensure they have this skill down before college begins.

3. Cleaning Their Space: Some dorm rooms have sinks and bathrooms, some are tiled, not carpeted, and others have closets and no shelving. Take a look online at the dorm room specifics and talk about how your child needs to clean it. Do they know they can use Bleach wipes for cleaning the sink and spills? If there is a bathroom, make sure your child can clean a toilet and shower. Tile floor? They’ll need a Swiffer mop, a broom, or a vacuum, and have to know how to use them effectively. In Wyoming, weather like snow can make a muddy mess, so get a mat by the door and teach your college student to take off their shoes. Picking up their items and respecting the space around them is important with Roomates. Have conversations about what it means to respect others, and how to establish their own boundaries and expectations! Like laundry, this is something your child should practice for weeks in advance.

4. Making a Schedule: Can your future college student keep track of their daily, weekly, and monthly schedule without your help? Do they know how to enter due dates and assignments, set a class or activity to repeat weekly, and remember to check their schedule daily? As soon as my Cowkids get a phone, they are expected to add their own activities to our family calendar. My oldest son color codes his calendar so he can easily see his classes, due dates, and exams, and keep track of his work schedule. Teach your child to do this now so that they can keep track of their busy college schedule!

5. Managing Their Sleep: If waking them up in the morning now is a problem, this is something you need them to work on ASAP. Have your child begin setting their own alarm (and learning how much time they need to get ready) and getting up without any help from you. For some kids, that may mean being late to an event or work this summer because you refuse to wake them up…but you won’t be there in their dorm room to do it this fall! Part of this is also learning to look at their schedule for the next day and plan when they should go to bed.

6. Study Habits: Every kid is different. Some students learned what study habits work for them in high school, while others never had to study. Talking about what environment helps your student work the best will set them up for success. Some kids prefer being in their dorm room with headphones and loud music on, while others prefer the quiet of the library or the dorm study rooms. Cowboy J liked to study outside, and when the weather was too cold, he found a sunny spot in one of the college lobbies where he could sit and get his work done. Encourage your child to try out a few things and see what fits them best.

7. Healthy Eating: This one is tricky, because how many teenagers eat healthy?! “The Freshman 15” is a real thing, and it makes sense when you think about how many incoming freshmen likely played sports in high school, only to suddenly adopt a much more sedentary lifestyle. Add to that cafeteria food and DoorDash, and it’s a recipe for disaster. The weight gain isn’t what matters; it’s that you want your child to fuel their body and brain so they do their best work and feel good physically! Remind your child to eat a balanced diet, and make sure they know what that means.

8. Keep Moving: With dorm living, crappy parking, and large campuses, many college students get plenty of physical activity walking to and from classes and the dorms. Establishing the good habit now of getting out and moving a few times a week will help them maintain the pattern in the Fall. For our family, movement and fresh air are directly connected with our mental health and overall well-being. Something that works well for them is making going to the gym a fun group activity with friends. Many colleges also have clubs or intermural sports available for students. Not only does it keep the students moving, but it’s a good way to meet new people and make friends!

9. Basic Money Management: Even if you’re giving your child full access to your credit card and unlimited funding, it’s still important that they understand basic money management. And for college students on a limited budget, it’s even more important! Start having them run errands with you so they can see the cost of things, and go over the basics of checking their accounts and keeping track of expenses. For college students who are on a budget, talk to them about what that means (needs vs. wants) and practice NOW sticking to a budget and problem-solving if they go over.

10. Filing Out Paperwork: Even now, at 44, filing our paperwork can be overwhelming for me! Imagine what it’s like if your child is sick and has to go to the campus clinic, and they’ve never had to fill out paperwork? Make sure they know the basics, like their birthday, new address, SSN, your birthday, and insurance information. Starting NOW, have them fill out any forms that come up from the college, as tempting as it may be to do it for them…DON’T!

11. Know Your Values: Sex, drugs, and alcohol are a part of college life. There is no getting away from it. If you haven’t talked to your child about these topics and shared your family’s values, you’re setting them up for overwhelm and danger. Have multiple conversations about their values and how they plan to tackle these situations and topics when they arise. Keeping safe is something that is up to them in the end, but talking about strategies and safe practices around the topics of sex, drugs, and alcohol is vital!

12. How/Who to Ask for Help: Your child WILL struggle during their first year away; this is expected and normal. When this happens, they may not be able to get in touch with you in their moment of need or feel comfortable asking you for help with a particular topic/situation. Now, while they’re doing just fine, is the time to set up a support system for them! Have them pick a few friends, family members, or close family friends that they know they can go to for support. Follow up by letting these people know they’re on that list so they’re prepared. Also, take a look at the campus directory and show them the on-campus services available to them.

As parents, we spend a lot of time focusing on how to help our children succeed in the classroom. Before they leave for college, let’s make sure we’ve also taught them how to succeed in everyday life. A little preparation now will save them a lot of stress later, and give them the confidence to handle whatever comes their way.

Making sure that they know these 10 Life Skills Every Incoming College Freshman Should Know Before Move-In Day will help make things easier for ALL of you!

Categories: Life As It Happens, Parenting, Prairie Life

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