10 key life skills every teenager should master before leaving home
Whether your teen is leaving home to go to university or moving out of the family home into new lodgings, there are various life skills they'll need to successfully transition into adulthood and independent living.
But, it seems, not everyone is quite so prepared.
A nationwide survey of 2,000 people conducted by student accommodation provider Yugo, reveals the life skills parents fear their children are lacking by the time they're ready to fly the nest. With 74% feeling as though their kids are ill-prepared for life beyond the family home, and a further 77% believing they were better equipped to leave home at that age.
Here, we take a look at the things every teenager should know how to do before they leave home.
Financial literacy
According to the survey, 50% of teens were taught how to shop for groceries on a budget and 48% were taught how to open a savings account. But, only 16% of teens were taught how to understand student loans – which is kind of scary if they are leaving home for university.
1. Help them get to grips with student loans, bursaries and maintenance loans
A student loan is offered to eligible undergraduates to help them pay for university or college tuition fees (i.e. to pay for their studies). Whereas a maintenance loan is to help cover the costs of living while they study.
Some students may also be eligible for bursaries or scholarships, which is offered directly by the university or college on top of other student finance – this doesn't need to be paid back if awarded.
To find out more, visit the Gov.uk website.
2. Show them how to open a student account – and what to look out for
As well as being the account where all their student finance will be transferred, a student account will likely come with other benefits to help them throughout higher education. For that reason, it's best to shop around for the best rates and perks – which can include free railcards, 0% interest overdrafts or even free cash.
To compare student bank accounts for 2025, visit the Money Saving Expert site.
3. Discuss overdrafts and credit cards
Most student accounts will come with a 0% interest arranged overdraft limit, but it's key to discuss the difference between arranged and unarranged limits, interest rates and penalties. It's also worth noting how long they'll have after graduating before the account switches to a normal current account, as their initial offer will no longer be valid.
Likewise, they may be tempted to sign up for a credit card, but flag how this could impact their credit score and how to manage repayments to avoid accumulating debt or paying hefty interest rates.
4. Teach them how to budget
Whether you help them create a spreadsheet of their monthly outgoings or you download budgeting apps like Monzo, Revolut or Emma, this could help their money go further and avoid them ringing you up when they run out of cash at the end of the month.
Healthy living
A large portion (44%) of the database said their teens were mindful about their mental health and 39% said they had been taught to recognise when they need help. However, just 35% had taught their kids how to book a doctor or dentist appointment.
5. Learn how to sign up to a GP and book an appointment
Help them locate their nearest GP and sign up. Some universities have their own healthcare providers on-site, so it's also worth checking with the university ahead of time.
6. Know other resources you can use – and when to use them
Consider creating a document of helpful resources, with a bit of information on when to use them. For example, do they know to call NHS 111 when they have urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns?
Cooking skills
Some 37% of teens were taught how to cook a dinner staple, classic spaghetti bolognese, and a further 32% were taught about food safety. Yet, despite the uptick in meal prep videos on TikTok, only 29% knew how to plan meals for the week. Even less (14%) knew how to cook tomato sauce from scratch.
7. Learn the cooking basics
As well as going through what to stock their cupboards with, consider showing them basic culinary skills, such as how to batch cook and figure out portion sizes. You could also teach them how to make a roux (white sauce) from scratch and how to use ingredients before they go out of date.
8. Figure out how to plan meals for the week
Similarly, showing them how to shop and plan meals for the week is key. Get them thinking about common ingredients and how they can make multiple meals from the same shop.
Social skills
One of the key things you learn when you enter university halls is how to live with others – even if your dorm room is private. And for many, it's that transition that takes the biggest toll and adjustment.
Reassuringly, then, 43% of teens had been taught about having empathy for others. Less reassuringly, however, only 26% had been taught how to handle difficult conversations and only 22% had been taught about respectful roommate etiquette.
9. Go through different scenarios and solutions
Of course, nothing can fully prepare you for living alone, but going through certain situations or discussing common themes and issues can help your teen navigate independent living. For example, do they struggle making friends? Do they struggle to control their temper? Do they find it difficult to share? Going through real-life scenarios with them and how to approach them can really help.
10. Cover roommate etiquette
No one wants to live next door to that guy who blasts acid house from his speakers until 4am – or the girl who spends over an hour in the communal bathroom each morning. Going through roommate etiquette doesn't just benefit others, it can mean your own child is more likeable and adjusts better to the real world.
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