Development of life skills is an important part of the transition to adulthood. These skills can help people live more independently and become more confident in themselves.
Some of these skills, such as communication and assertiveness, contain both interpersonal and cognitive components. However, studies on life skills development and transfer in typically developing emerging adults are scarce.
Communication
Misunderstandings can escalate into conflict without clear communication. Strong communication life skills can help people resolve disagreements with empathy and clarity.
Life skills also include digital competencies - such as media literacy, self- and social competences related to media, and media identity (Aufenanger, 2002; Brandhofer & Wiesner, 2018; Festl, 2021; Initiative D21, 2021). These can be combined with traditional life skills in youth prevention interventions.
Self-Awareness
Environmental anchors and trusted relationships provide constant feedback on internal states. Learn which environments energize or drain you and notice how certain people affect your mood. This observance fosters self awareness without dedicated reflection time.
Learning to pause for mindful self-observation is a practice that promotes sound judgement and behavioural maturity, key aspects of holistic Personal Development for Students. Practicing self-awareness daily enables students to respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively.
Self-Management
Having self-management skills means knowing how to calm down when you're stressed. It also includes being proactive and planning ahead so that you can stay on top of tasks.
Although there were a variety of life skills described in the literature, no dominant definition emerged from this scoping review. Nonetheless, the WHO and UNICEF frameworks seem to offer a solid starting point for future research on life skills in vulnerable populations.
Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is the ability to push through obstacles and work towards long-term goals. It is important for achieving success in both personal and professional life.
For example, people with self-discipline are less likely to give up on diets or exercise programs that seem difficult. They realize that the benefits of these habits outweigh their short-term desires.
In fact, studies show that self-control is a stronger predictor of academic performance than IQ.
Self-Confidence
Generally, people who feel confident in themselves tend to be more happy than those who don't. They're also more likely to take on new challenges and to achieve their goals.
The most frequent categories of life skills in the literature are developmental vulnerabilities, sexual behavior and contextual vulnerabilities (Table 2). However, there are few studies that clearly define what is meant by ‘life skills'.
Teamwork
A team's ability to collaborate efficiently drives streamlined productivity. Teams with strong teamwork skills communicate openly and respect each other's contributions, helping them achieve goals quickly and effectively.
Teamwork can be cultivated through fun team-building activities such as the human knot, where members grab hands and pull in opposite directions to untangle themselves without letting go. Such games promote clear communication and collaborative problem-solving, essential aspects of strong teams.
Social Skills
Social skills are important for both personal and professional success. They can help you build strong relationships, improve your career opportunities, and foster a positive workplace environment.
The majority of life skill research focuses on vulnerable populations, as reflected by the three most frequent topics being developmental vulnerabilities, sexual behavior, and contextual vulnerabilities. Ideally, future research will put more emphasis on addressing motivation and outcomes outside of mental health contexts.
Self-Defense
Self-defense is a development of life skills that empowers individuals to take control over their own safety and security. Moreover, it also fosters mental resilience and confidence, enabling them to navigate challenging situations with poise.
The physical challenges of training boost overall fitness, strengthening muscles and improving coordination. Additionally, the focus required to learn and practice techniques helps reduce stress by disconnecting from daily concerns.
Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is the ability to understand money topics, such as interest, compound interest, debt management, and saving for retirement. Emma uses her life skills to teach her students about these topics, so they can be financially independent after graduation.
The majority of life skills research focuses on vulnerable populations, but some skills such as budgeting/finances and communication seem to be more generic. It may be worthwhile to explore their relevance and transfer in typically developing emerging adults.
Independence
Having the capacity to rely on yourself is important for both personal and professional growth. A person who can rely on themselves can move forward with confidence and fosters a sense of autonomy.
A common theme within life skills studies is a focus on reactive teaching strategies rather than pro-active learning. This can be seen in the majority of life skills research focusing on vulnerable populations and the lack of discussion of transfer between contexts.
