Things to Know @ 18

In order to be successful in the modern world, there are some things students should know upon graduating high school. Whether you are attending college, working full-time, or learning a trade; today's high school graduate can benefit from understanding a set of skills useful not only in school, but in life.

Effective Money Management

Learning to manage your money means understanding how to keep track of your income and expenses. Take advantage of online financial literacy webinars that cover topics such as balancing checkbooks, budget, credit management, etc.

Time Management

A high school student needs to learn how to effectively manage time. This involves knowing when to work and when to play, when to socialize and when to relax. An online calendar or weekly planner can help you keep track of your commitments. Getting all of your tasks done and still having time to do the things you love will contribute to peace of mind and reduce stress.

Goal-Setting

The high school graduate should be able to set a goal and work toward it. This requires understanding what goals are realistic and attainable, and which are not attainable.

Communication

Effective communication is key to human relationships. Graduating seniors should know how to communicate with others. This includes knowledge of body language, etiquette, politeness and eye contact when dealing with a variety of people. It also involves how you communicate in writing, whether it's an email to your boss, a job application or a letter of complaint to your landlord.

Critical Thinking

There's a lot of information out there. High school students should know how to think for themselves and to not take everything they hear or read as truth. Critical thinking skills imparted at the high school level will challenge teens to be more questioning and probing as adults, and to expand their knowledge base through independent research.