Soft Skills Stew
Soft Skills Stew has 7 ingredients that when all mixed together help your child succeed in college beyond academics. Straight As, extracurricular activities and good writing skills are necessary for the academic side (and some downtime) in college. But what about life skills like living with others, doing laundry, managing money, and future-proofing your social media accounts.? These soft skills make up Soft Skills Stew. Below is a list of the 7 ingredients with an article on each topic monthly.
1. How to make your bed or the art of living with others
2. Doing laundry and sewing basics
3. Time Management and productivity or how to live large and still get As
4. Money management 101
5. Cooking basics or how not to overcook pasta
6. First Aid tips and planning for emergencies
7. Social media tips to scandal-proof your future
Welcome to step 1 of Soft Skills stew: Make you bed. “If you want to change the world… start by making your bed. “ — Admiral William H. McRaven, Make Your Bed
Watch this video for simple tips to make your bed fast and have the sheets stay tucked in. If my maternal grandmother were still alive, she would stress the importance of knowing how to do a hospital corner to make sure your sheets stay tucked in night after night.
“…but sometimes the simple act of making your bed can give you the lift you need to start your day and provide the satisfaction to end it right.” — Admiral William H. Mc Raven, Make Your Bed. There is something so nice about crawling into a “made” bed to drift off to sleep or for you, college kids, to sit and study on for an all-nighter.
Guess what?! Studies show that you sleep better when your bed is made. “A National Sleep Foundation poll found that participants who reported regularly making their bed were 19% more likely to say that they got a good night's sleep most nights. This is because they are falling asleep in a tidy, organised bedroom. 75% also said that clean, fresh sheets improved their quality of sleep.” — Emily Bashforth, Patient.com
And even beyond this, making you bed can have a ripple effect on your productivity through-out your day. “Making your bed each morning can be a 'keystone habit'. Keystone habits produce a ripple effect where one little positive change has the potential to produce other smart choices and positive changes throughout the day.” — Emily Bashforth, Patient.com Making your bed each morning can give you a sense of accomplishment, and when you need momentum to begin writing that 10- page paper or start a reading of 50-pages, making your bed can do it.
Making your bed can also be good for your mindset. “Making the bed is about setting an intention to do the little things that bring about an orderly, thoughtful, responsible, balanced, or successful life. In addition to providing a quick sense of daily accomplishment, some people find making the bed calming as well.” — Sarah Vambuskirk, VeryWellMind.com
Also, making your bed is a sign of respect for your roommate. In addition to making your bed, you want to keep your side of the room neat out of respect. Don’t be one-half of the odd couple! A neat room is also good for your mindset. “Cleaning and having a clean, clutter-free living space has been linked to many positive health benefits including physical fitness, improved focus, sleep quality, and a reduction in stress and anxiety.” — Clean Pacs The act of cleaning can be a restorative and stress-reducing as you sweep, dust, and wash dishes.” The act of cleaning itself is actually a stress-reducing activity. Cleaning is very hands-on, and while you are cleaning, you are forced to step away from work and screens and focus on the repetitive motion of dusting, organizing, or washing surfaces. This allows you to be fully present in the action of cleaning and step away from sources or triggers of stress. “ — Clean Pacs
So, the next time you are stressed out about an exam, a paper, or the latest drama with your roommate, make your bed and neaten your space. You’ll feel so much better afterward (and your roommate might too).