Kaiden McHenry | Contributing Writer
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that young adults who lacked basic life skills reported higher levels of stress and lower overall well-being due to difficulties managing daily responsibilities. Part of the college experience should include preparing for adulthood. Incorporating basic life skills courses—such as financial literacy, mental health management, and basic cooking—into college curricula is essential for equipping students for life after graduation.
According to the Federal Reserve, the total amount of student loan debt in the U.S. exceeds $1.8 trillion, affecting over 45 million borrowers. As a result, newly graduated young adults are entering the workforce or pursuing further education with significant, overwhelming debt and little understanding of how to manage their finances independently. Teaching students how to manage their debt and finances before graduation can help them better plan for their financial future.
Mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent among college students. According to the American College Health Association (ACHA) 2022 National College Health Assessment, 39.2% of college students reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function in the past year, and 63.6% reported experiencing overwhelming anxiety. It is unreasonable to expect young adults to automatically know how to manage their mental health. Without these skills, their personal lives, academic performance, and overall health can be severely impacted. Teaching mental health management equips students with strategies to handle stress and recognize when to seek additional help, improving their overall quality of life and education.
A 2022 survey by the American Heart Association found that 51% of young adults aged 18-34 admitted not knowing how to cook basic meals from scratch. How can a young adult be expected to manage academics effectively when they lack the skills to handle basic household tasks and cooking? This issue impacts students both during and after university, hindering their ability to manage their living spaces effectively, whether in a dormitory now or a home in the future. By teaching students basic cooking and household maintenance skills, we can better prepare them for independent living and encourage a healthier lifestyle.
To thoroughly prepare students for life after college, the standard curriculum must be updated to include essential life skills. In summary, integrating financial literacy, mental health management, and practical life skills into college curricula is crucial for preparing students for life after graduation. These courses equip students with the tools they need to manage their finances, maintain their mental health, and handle everyday responsibilities, ultimately leading to a smoother transition into adulthood and a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. It is time for all colleges to embrace the need for a more holistic approach to education by including practical life skills that will benefit students long after their time on campus.
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