October and University may seem a long way off but it's time to start preparing.

Your teenager will have enough worries when she gets there,without wondering how to operate a tin-opener.

Keeping it clean
A student room needn't be the filthy cliché. They may complain bitterly about helping with chores but it's important to practise basics before being let loose on their own room.

Smelly bedsits don't encourage friends to drop round. Get them acquainted with the washing machine, making sure they know about removing coins and tissues from pockets and separating colours.

Safety first
Needless thefts occur when undergraduates forget to lock doors or leave valuables lying around. Simple safety rules should become second nature: don't dry clothes in front of gas fires, don't leave candles and joss sticks burning unattended.

Food for thought
A student who arrives at university without being able to boil an egg, won't get very far. Anyone can learn to make simple standby dishes like spaghetti bolognaise or vegetable chilli, so show them how - after all, compared with A level maths, it's easy. Discuss what comprises a balanced diet. Encourage your prospective student to practice at home by preparing a family meal once a week!

Money talks
Understanding how to budget, handle money, pay bills, are essential skills to have before going to university. Hasn't got a bank account? then it's time to open one. If you don't do it already, give your pre university student an allowance to cover everyday expenses like clothes and travel, so she has a chance to juggle a budget.

Shopping skills
Most students will never have done much shopping for groceries before they start university. On a limited budget, students need to know how to shop for bargains. Comparing prices, finding special offers, getting value packs and end of the day discounts, all make a substantial saving on the week's food bill .

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