Help Your Teen Get Some Essentials Before They Go to College
This holiday season, families can help teens save money for college and learn the practical skills they need for college — and life.
Offer Your Teen Cooking Lessons
Most freshmen have meal plans, but cooking can be a great way for teens to bond with other students and save money when they do move out of the dorms, experts say. Parents can discuss how to stock a pantry, save money on food and the differences between processed food and other varieties, and teach kids how to cook from scratch.
Encourage Family and Friends to Give Cash
Cash can seem impersonal but college is expensive and every dollar helps. Encourage family members to make monetary donations to a college savings account. Parents can sign up for a savings registry and send out announcements to contributors when their teen reaches a college savings goal to help gift-givers feel more connected to the process.
Help Students Learn How to Budget
Teen savers have more financial success later in life. Parents who don’t feel equipped to teach their children good financial habits can hire a financial advisor who is willing to sit with their teen for a few hours and turn to online sites to help teens learn everything from budgeting to investing before they head to college.
Give Self-Defense Classes
Campus safety is a prominent issue on college campuses. Self-defense classes can be a fun way for teens to gain confidence and protect themselves.
Share the Gift of Credit
Good credit will come in handy when it’s time for teens to buy their first car or rent an apartment. Parents who have discussed proper money management can cosign a credit card to help teach teens about building credit scores and managing debt.
Provide a Calendar, Planner or App
Organization and time management are keys to college success. Buy your teens a student planner or a subscription to online apps that allow them to sync their calendars across devices and learn about organization and time management.
Hire Your Kid a Tutor
It’s not an exciting gift, but students who struggle academically in high school may have a more difficult time in college. A tutor may help your teen get on track. Teens should know how to study properly before they head to college.
Purchase a Set of Fitness Classes
Proper diet and exercise can help your teen fight stress in college and high school. Parents can buy a gym membership or a set of fitness classes to help students build healthy habits that they can take with them to campus.
Pay For Auto Repair Lessons
If your teen is going to have a car for his or her first year of college, take some time to talk to your kids about how to take care of their car, who to call for help and how to manage some minor repairs on their own.
Fund Gift Cards
Gift cards are another way to stack up money for your teen to use to buy supplies for school. Gift cards from credit card companies can also be used as an alternative to credit cards by teens in emergencies.
Get More College Gift Ideas for Students
Start getting your high school graduation gift ideas ready or browse more gift options for parents to give to college students.
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Holiday Gifts for High School, College-Bound Students originally appeared on usnews.com
