For many of our students, there’s no plan. They don’t think beyond immediate needs or wants. But you know your child can’t live that way. They’ll find themselves running out of money for essentials, or time for school or work projects. And then the cycle of failing classes or being fired from jobs continues. So for our students, we work on making those plans.

• Creating a budget to ensure there’s enough for week-to-week needs
• Developing a daily schedule so all work is completed, but still have time for fun and relaxation
• Choosing a career and planning the steps to get there

The Value of a Routine

Many people mistakenly believe planning their day means breaking all tasks down into the hours required to complete them. But this doesn’t work. Tasks end up taking too long and eating into time assigned to something else. Or, your child finishes quickly and takes advantage of the “extra” free time, only to realize they’ve lost track and are now running behind. But by teaching your child to develop a routine with time packed in for completing tasks such as homework and chores, your child will develop the habit of completing one task and immediately moving on to the next. Once the tasks are done, the rest of the day can be spent in front of the TV or hanging out with friends.

Managing Finances

Budgeting is hard for many of us. That’s why our transition program has a focus on budgeting and financial management. Students receive a set amount of money each week. We help new students develop their budget and stick to it so they know how much money needs to go to food, how much can be spent on wants, and how much they should save if they want something they don’t currently have the money for.

Growing Academics into a Career

Your child may be taking classes based on what sounds fun or fits graduation requirements. But how will your child translate their coursework into a future? One way for young adults to make this leap is by completing internships. Some internships may help your child learn general job skills, such as being prepared for the work day and showing up on time. Others are geared toward providing your child with experience directly related to the work they want to do. For example, the student in the video above is interested in communications, specifically broadcasting. He gained valuable experience in an internship as a broadcaster with a local sports team, but also completed a journalism internship since he’s working on a journalism minor.

Making the Plan

Students aren’t left to create these plans on their own. Throughout their sessions, our staff help students realize what they want and how to get there. And then those goals are refined as students grow. It’s important your child learns why these plans are necessary and how to develop them. Once plans are in place, they need encouragement to continue working. Repeat it enough times and your child will make plans a habit.