18 Things Teenagers Should Know By the Age of 18

Your baby is growing up... here are a few things they should know by the time they're 18 to make adulting a whole lot easier

by Nancy Reynolds

This Post: 18 Things Teenagers Should Know By the Age of 18

Written By: Morgan Hill

I know it’s hard to believe, but in a few short years, your teen will be a full-fledged legal adult. YIKES! Time is flying by, isn’t it?

While they might not have it all figured out by the time they turn 18 (and that’s okay!), it sure doesn’t hurt to have a few life skills under their belt before they venture off to college, the military, or the working world. Here are 18 things teenagers should know by the age of 18 to make “adulting” a whole lot easier. 

18 Things Teenagers Should Know By the Age Of 18

 

1. Make Doctor’s Appointments On Their Own

For years, you’ve made your kid’s doctor’s (and other) appointments. But, by the time they reach the ripe age of 18, they should be able to schedule their own doctor’s appointments, actually talk with the doctor about what’s ailing them, and be able to ask (at least a few) general questions about any medication prescribed or whether they require a follow-up visit, etc. 

2. Cook a Few Meals So They Don’t Starve

Though they may tell you otherwise, they can’t live on Ramen noodles alone. So, whether they’re off to college, the military, or starting life out on their own, they should have a handful of simple meals they can make for themselves, friends, or a date. Maybe you teach them their favorites from home, or they get fancy and look through a cookbook (or, more likely, TikTok). Mastering a rotating list of go-to recipes is a solid skill to have as an adult. 

3. A Few Manners Beyond the Basics

When you’re a young adult, a tad more is expected of you than a simple “Please” and “Thank You.” Thus, one of the things teenagers should know by 18 is the importance of looking someone in the eye when they’re speaking, putting their phone away when they’re with someone to avoid coming across as rude, the value of a firm handshake, how to show genuine gratitude and offer a sincere apology, and the importance of dressing appropriately. Even if you teach them a few “extended” manners, you’ll be setting them apart from A LOT of others. 

4. Clean and Tidy Up

It’s one thing to hastily make their bed and throw dirty clothes into a hamper at home. It’s a whole other animal when they’re in their own digs, whether shared or solo.

They need to know how to really clean – scrub a toilet, wipe fingerprints off the fridge and mirrors, wash their clothes, sheets and towels, and make their place look (at the very least) presentable. Don’t forget to counsel them on the correct cleaning supplies! 

5. Self-Care

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life that our kids end up putting themselves and their health on the back burner. That’s why it’s so important for us to pound it into their head that what they eat, how much exercise and sleep they get and how they care for themselves day-in-and-day-out truly matters. (Ahem, which means pizza, Doritos, and Coke won’t cut it in the long run.)

Whether they treat themselves to their favorite drink at a local coffee hot spot or listen to their favorite music and snuggle in with a great book, self-care is a critical part of growing up.

6. Sick Care

Gone are the days of you putting a hand to their forehead and heading to the medicine cabinet or making a doctor’s appointment. That’s on them now!

Teach your kiddo how to take their temperature, get the appropriate medicine(s), when to get a vaccine, and when to see a medical professional. Also, familiarize them with their health insurance benefits. Telehealth may mean they don’t even have to leave their room for many ailments. 

7. Proper Hygiene (A Notch Above the Basics)

Haircuts, skincare, and good hygiene, oh my! Hey, everyone skips a daily shower now and then. But your newly minted “adult,” needs to learn to keep themselves in top shape now that they’re on their own. Clean nails, clean hair and skin, and looking well-groomed are not only important for our kids’ self-esteem but it can affect how others view them – from friends and dates to their boss and professors. 

8. Shop for Groceries (You Know… At Least the Basics)

Send a teen into a grocery store alone and they’re likely to come back with something like a gallon of chocolate milk, Hot Pockets, a bag of M&Ms, and a single orange. Amusing, yes. Helpful to them? Not so much! Teach them to read the grocery store ads to learn about the best deals, shop store brand products to keep costs down, and the basics of stocking a pantry so they can whip something up easily with things they already have.

Now too might be a good time to remind them of the concept of balanced nutrition, as well as food safety such as, how long uncooked ground beef lasts in the fridge or whether certain foods need refrigeration after opening.

9. Write and Deposit a Good ‘Ole-Fashioned Check

While the vast majority of teens live and die by Venmo or online payment plans, there are plenty of reasons why they should know how to write and deposit a good, old-fashioned check.

First of all, they’re more likely to get money via a check instead of through a cash transfer app on special occasions. They may also get paid by check for work and some rental agencies still require checks. Even in the day of depositing checks automatically, they still need to know how (and where) to sign the back with their signature.

10. Pay Bills (If They’re Living on Their Own)

It’s an important part of adult life and they need to know how and the best way to pay their bills. Almost everything from utilities to cable can be automated now, but some businesses may still require a check. They should use a calendar to track all bill due dates so it’s paid by that day, if not a little early. They also need to know when money will be deducted if on AutoPay, so they don’t get overdrawn and end up with no A/C during a heat wave on a weekend, for instance. 

11. The Basics of Establishing Credit

Before you can finish singing “Happy Birthday” to your new 18-year-old, the offers for new credit cards will start hitting the mailbox. While your teen may be tempted to sign up for credit card deals, there is a specific way of establishing credit and building it responsibly.

Make sure they understand how credit works, what it’s used for, and how it can be a powerful tool for the rest of their life. It can also be a disaster if it’s misused. Choose one card together to start – even if it’s just a bank card – and teach them how to stay on top of spending. 

12. Set (and Keep) a Schedule

High school was a breeze compared to college or work. Every day was nearly the same. Bells rang to tell them it was time to switch classes and they had you to keep them on track with events, sports, and other commitments. But in college, they’re on their own. Even work may have an erratic schedule.

They need to set a schedule for every day and ensure they follow it. What time do they need to wake up and eat breakfast to get to their first class or work? Plus, scheduling in time with friends or an hour or two at the gym. A schedule to the rescue! Here are a few great calendar apps they might like!

13. Comparison Shop

Oh, the knee-jerk shopping habits of a teen. They see, they want, they buy. Then they complain they don’t ever have enough money!

But by looking at advertisements, using online rebate programs, waiting for sales, and comparison shopping, they’re likely to find a much better deal and have a fatter wallet to show for it. 

14. Step Out of Their Comfort Zone

Life after high school offers so many cool opportunities to make new friends, expand hobbies, and pursue new interests. Maybe their company has a slow-pitch softball league or there’s a dorm ice cream social at their college. Encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and create a new space and identity for themselves as an adult.

15. Brush Themselves Off and Get Back Up

As parents and adults, we know all too well that life has a way of knocking you down time and time again. And, soon enough our kids will realize that. But what they also need to realize is that it’s not the number of times they’re knocked down, it’s about the number of times they brush themselves off AND get back up. 

REMIND THEM: There’s no such thing as failure. Just opportunities to try again. Just opportunities to learn. Just opportunities to change their direction. Just opportunities to find out how strong they are in the face of struggle. 

16. Crafting a Resume, How to Fill Out a Job Application, and a Few Key Job Interview Skills

They’re young… we certainly can’t expect them to be pros at filling out job applications, crafting the perfect resume, or knowing how to conduct themselves in an interview, but we CAN start teaching them now so they have at least a few of the basics down pat before they hit the job market. 

RELATED POST: 8 Tips for Teens to Ace a Job Interview

17. Realize It’s Not “All About Them”

For the vast majority of their lives, their small, protected world has revolved around them.

But they’re venturing into the world now and one of the things teenagers should know is that they are part of something much bigger than them. It’s not “just about them” anymore. They need to learn to be a good friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend, how to be kind, give back, and take the focus off themselves.

18. Know When to Ask for Help

Of all the things teenagers should know, this might top the list. Sometimes, even with the best prep available (that would be from you!), things can go south. Maybe your new young adult is in a bind or they just need some old-fashioned advice or your ear for a bit. Knowing when to ask for help is a critical adult skill that will serve them well. Encourage it! Normalize it!

About Morgan Hill:

Morgan Hill is an essayist and humorist. She has written for many online and print publications including Insider, Your Teen Magazine, Revel, and MASK Magazine. She is the mother of freshman and senior sons in high school. When not writing, she can be found at flea markets, in her garden, photographing architecture, taking cooking classes, or eating the stinkiest cheese she can find. You can also find her on Twitter @MorganHWrites or Instagram @MorganHillWriter

If you enjoyed reading, “18 Things Teenagers Should Know By the Age of 18,” you might want to check out these other posts!

10 Things You’re Probably Doing for Your Teen That’s Preventing Them from Adulting

Am I Caring For or Enabling My Teen? One Mom’s Honest Answer

8 Chores Your Teen Should Be Doing (Without You Nagging Them)

Help Your Teen Learn to Adult: 20 Life Skills They Need

What did we miss, parents? What are things teenagers should know to learn to adult? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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