Draft - What Teenagers Everyone Should Know before College

The influence and persuasion of peers, the media, and advertisers are continually trying to create the world around us in 'their' liking - not our own. To guide you, below are the tools you need to develop and have in your personal self-defense toolbox. You should learn, build, and understand ...

1. the basics of financial management (living within a budget, investing, tax returns, interest compounding, living beneath your means, financial independence)
2. it is okay to fail small (but learn from it and do not repeat)
3. always have a back door a way to escape of minimize risk or permanent liability
4. that it is best to "seek first to understand - then be understood" (don't assume what others are saying, wait until you understand - then offer your position)
5. if you can't say something nice about someone - then don't say anything (if you talk about someone who is not present, how would you feel if it was you, others were talking about)
6. you are not a mind reader (someone's actions are not their thoughts)
7. how to debate and present your ideas or points (while being respectful)
8. proper use of hand and power tools and kitchen utensils (for safety and harm prevention)
9. goals alone do not work - use systems (goals identify an end result, but a system gets you there)
10. how to use the general steps to problem-solving (ID the problem, consider causes, brainstorm solutions, implement solutions, test, redo, etc. most often the simplest solution is the best)
11. how to make 'trend your friend' (people, things, events usually follow the past)
12. how to create a spreadsheet (spreadsheets are the most flexible note tool for budget, inventory, notes, search database and more)
13. basic self-defense and safety (to protect and/or save yourself or others)
14. your skill stack of multiple skills (tools and skills that together provide a means to address most life challenges - relationships, technology, mechanical adaptiveness, financial basics, etc.)
15. how to respond in an emergency (to protect or save yourself 
16. how to identify and minimize risk by making the right choices (financial, safety, relationships, health, and more ...)
17. how to cook a meal (from planning, buying, preparing, cooking a meal)
18. the basics of automobile operation and maintenance (even how to change a tire)
19. the basics of home repair and maintenance (many costly repairs are avoided when problems are addressed when found) 

I may or may not include these in my post to the Grandchildren

... that God exists and that the ways of Jesus can serve as a model for you (however, not everyone believes the same)

... what your family believes is right and wrong (act only if you can proudly tell your family what you did and why)

... that your family will be there in your good and bad times (they may not like what you did or what happened - but they will not abandon you)