Mastering Life Skills for High Schoolers 

What are the life skills that high school students should master?  In today’s fast-paced world, equipping high schoolers with essential life skills is more important than ever. Whether they choose to attend college, enter the workforce, or pursue other post-graduate endeavors, homeschooled students are uniquely positioned to learn practical skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. As homeschool moms continually evaluate the skills their children need for success as adults, it’s crucial to consider the specific life skills that high school students should master. From managing finances to making informed decisions, teaching these skills lays the groundwork for their future success and fulfillment. 

What is the definition of success? The Oxford Language Dictionary defines success as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” As Christians, we can take that basic definition and apply biblical principles to it. We can ask ourselves, “What should our aim or purpose be when preparing our high schooler?” Then we can ask, “Are we helping them accomplish this aim or purpose?” 

Deuteronomy 10:12–13 gives us a solid definition of what success is in the eyes of the Lord. These verses say, “What doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes?” These biblical commands are ones that need to be at the front of our minds as we guide our teens. Many issues and circumstances will beg for their immediate attention. Yet they must remember to guard their hearts and minds so that the Lord and His commandments always take preeminence. Yes, life skills and knowledge are good and extremely important. But without the framework and stability of God’s commands, they are futile. 

Facts to Consider When Teaching Important Life Skills to High Schoolers 

• Communication skills, whether verbal or in writing, are essential to obtaining a job. 
• Organizational skills can increase profitability and decrease anxiety. 
• Financial literacy will ease confusion and enhance long-term success. 
• Problem-solving skills will develop independence and boost confidence. 
• Emotional intelligence will complement healthy relationships and minimize stress. 

Communication Skills 

Allowing your high schoolers to spread their wings and take initiative communicating with teachers, youth workers, and bosses is a huge step in a parent’s life. Hovering over them to ensure correct tone and immaculate spelling may be a tendency for some. While guidance is necessary at first, freedom from your ever-watchful eye is often the push they need. Independence helps them to gain confidence in their ability to communicate their own thoughts and ideas. 

Finding a good high school communication curriculum can be a challenge. Even if one is found, learning how to grade a speech or debate may be daunting for most parents. One idea that has been helpful for our family is dual enrollment in a speech class. There are many colleges that offer dual enrollment opportunities. Basic speech classes are almost always an option. Local co-ops are also a great way to engage in speech classes and will allow high schoolers to practice effective communication skills in front of peers. 

Organization Skills 

High schoolers can benefit greatly from honing their organizational skills, setting them up for success in academics and beyond. Open discussions about effective time management, goal setting, and completing tasks “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) is imperative for the success of a high schooler.  

Time Management  

By learning to create schedules or use planners, they can effectively allocate time for studying, homework, extracurriculars, and relaxation.  

Goal Setting  

Allow high schoolers to establish both short-term and long-term objectives across various aspects of their lives. Breaking down big goals into manageable tasks fosters a sense of accomplishment and progress tracking.  

Effective Note-Taking Techniques 

Effective note-taking techniques are essential for improving learning retention and organization, supporting academic achievement across various subjects and tasks. 

Establishing routines for keeping study materials organized, whether they’re physical books or digital files, ensures that resources are easily accessible and reduces clutter, which can alleviate stress and improve focus. Alongside these fundamental skills, teaching the importance of prioritization and breaking down tasks is crucial. Guiding students to identify urgent and important tasks helps them manage their workload efficiently and minimizes last-minute rushes. Breaking down larger assignments into smaller, manageable tasks fosters sustained concentration and progress. Cultivating a conducive study environment is equally vital. Designating specific areas free from distractions promotes concentration and boosts productivity. 

Financial Literacy 

Last year, the South Carolina State Board of Education changed the high school graduation requirements to include a half-credit of personal finance. Meaning, all high schoolers are now required to take a personal finance class to receive their diploma. 

Our family has done a variety of things to ensure our high schoolers are able to make informed financial decisions. Ideas can be as simple as finding a reliable financial curriculum to use. More involved ideas include interning at a financial institution. Sitting down with your student and sharing your personal budgeting principles or financial goals is a great way to teach financial skills through example. Opening savings accounts, investing in the stock market, and watching financial news together are also excellent ideas. These methods can instill good financial principles in your student. They also help to build trustworthy relationships now and for the future. 

Critical-Thinking Skills 

Remember when your child had those beginning word problems in grade 1 math? If you were like me, you were tempted to skip them and focus on the simple 1 + 2 problems on the back of the page. But now, in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, I long for the days of those simple word problems. I now know those exercises were the foundation that my children needed to start developing critical-thinking skills. In those exercises, students begin to use specific thinking techniques to solve problems. 

Decision-making strategies are taught most often by everyday scenarios. Look at complex situations not as a burden, but as a teaching moment for your children and a sanctifying moment for you. Lean into these crucial teaching opportunities. Problem-solving is a basic life skill that can never be overtaught. Seize each grocery trip, vacation, and laundry-folding session. Find ways to enhance creative reasoning and critical thinking. Learning not to waste opportunities for learning is a lifelong process for homeschool mamas. 

Emotional Intelligence 

As parents, teaching our children how to handle emotions begins when they are very, very young. They watch us. They mimic how we answer the telephone, walk into a fancy store, talk to a small baby, and even deal with scary or hard situations. A word of wisdom I love to share with other moms is that if you have overreacted, lashed out in anger, or broken down with emotions that can or have negatively affected your children, you have time to change. You have time to train and teach your children what a godly response should be. 

In our home, this change happened one small incident at a time. When faced with a challenge that would cause me to have heated thoughts or words, I learned to stop, pause, and pray out loud to the Lord. This has not only been a benefit to me, but it has also greatly impacted my children. They saw that in both small and significant situations, Jesus could take control of our words, thoughts, and actions if we called upon Him. By the end of my prayer, I was calm, and the children were confident that God was there to help. Your daily actions are the best teacher of how to cope with stress, cultivate empathy, and build healthy relationships. All these things teach emotional intelligence to your precious children. 

Preparing for College 

Teaching basic life skills to high schoolers will look different for every family. As you prepare your children for college, or prepare them to succeed outside the home, don’t box yourself into a mold that doesn’t fit who you are as a family unit. 

Work on communicating with each other in different forms. Try allowing each family member to organize a certain part of the home or a specific activity for the day. Welcome your teen’s money-related questions. Be honest when explaining how your own personal budgeting works or doesn’t work. Allow your kids to help problem-solve a situation that you know would be quicker to solve on your own. The benefits may surprise you and your teen. 

Whether they choose to attend college, enter the workforce, or pursue other post-graduate endeavors, high school students are uniquely positioned to learn practical skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. As homeschool moms continually evaluate the skills their children need for success as adults, it’s important to consider the specific life skills that high school students should master. From managing finances to making informed decisions, teaching these skills lays the groundwork for their future success and fulfillment. As Christians, defining success through biblical principles reminds us of the ultimate aim: to fear the Lord, walk in His ways, and love and serve Him wholeheartedly. In guiding our teens, we prioritize instilling these values alongside practical skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate life’s challenges with faith and wisdom. 

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Kelly is a stay-at-home mom of 6 children and has enjoyed homeschooling them for the past 18 years. She has a degree in education and enjoys writing in her free time. Her passion is studying and applying God’s word to all aspects of her life, and teaching her children to do the same.