School prepares you for a lot of things, like your job and those tough questions that pop up on “Jeopardy!”. But there’s some quite valuable life lessons you never learned in school but still needed to know. Check out the following five life tips to get ahead of the class, even if you’re long past graduation.
1. How To Handle Your Finances
If you have no clue how to do a tax return, don’t worry, you’re certainly not alone. We’re not taught how to deal with credit cards, our bills or things like tax returns and retirement investments. It’s more trial by fire as these financial items pop in and out of our lives.
Teach yourself how to handle your finances by using tools such as free online guides, reputable financial advice blogs and books. Seek professional advice if and when you need it. For example, if you’re having an issue with a tax return, it may be wise to speak to a tax pro instead of risking fines and penalties over a costly mistake.
2. How To Run A Household
From unclogging toilets to cleaning gutters, there’s a lot of household skills you may be lacking. While you can hire help if you’re a bind, that will eat at your finances, and no one wants to take a loss over something they can do themselves.
Teach yourself some basic household maintenance and repair tricks by asking a knowledge friend or family member and checking out free online tutorials. Avoid the big guns, like working with your home’s electrical system, if you don’t have the knowledge and skill set for that type of dangerous work.
3. How To Master Time Management
Good time management can literally mean the difference between failure and success. From excelling at your job to managing your family’s social calender, how proficient you are at managing your time directly correlates to your productivity and your stress levels.
Try a time management app if you’re not sure how to improve your ability to schedule and stay on task and on time. Look for free or low cost seminars at local colleges and community centers if you need more help than online tools and guides can provide.
4. How To Mind Your Manners
Unless you went to finishing school, you probably never learned manners in school beyond the very basic. But having a full understanding of how to be polite and being in the habit of it is not only the right thing to do, but also can give you an edge. People remember and appreciate those with manners in both relaxed and work settings.
Use online resources and manner books to brush up on your etiquette. Try to practice it as often as you can so it becomes natural and comfortable behavior. If you’re unsure about the correct procedure manner-wise for any situation you find yourself in, don’t be afraid to look it up!
5. How To Navigate Relationships
This one’s a toughie. Even if you follow relationship guides to the letter and never miss a dating show episode, you still will have hiccups. Life experience is probably the best teacher when it comes to handling relationships. Learn from your mistakes and work toward eliminating bad habits or patterns you’ve developed in your life that impact your relationships with other people. Don’t be afraid to ask trusted friends and family members for advice if you find yourself in a rough patch. Talking things over with other people and getting their perspectives can help you catch things you missed and see your relationships in a new light.
