The Teen Toolkit: Life Skills Not Taught In Schools

By Koren A. Norton

Are you a parent who wants to prepare your child for the real world? Are you a teenager on the brink of graduating high school? Do you feel excited about the adventures that lie ahead but also a little unsure about what life after graduation will entail? Look no further than "The Teen Toolkit: Life Less

• Language: English
• Publisher: Koren Norton
• Release date: Apr 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869318091

Book preview

The Teen Toolkit

Life Skills Not Taught In Schools

Koren A. Norton

Copyright © 2024, Koren A. Norton.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. All rights reserved worldwide.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1: 3 Essential Tools to Make It in This World

Chapter 2: Common Sense and Street Smarts

Chapter 3: Dealing with Difficult Emotions

Chapter 4: Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Chapter 5: Having a Mentor

Chapter 6: How to Get Along with People?

Chapter 7: Financial Literacy: Money 101

Chapter 8: How to Make Money?

Chapter 9: Stress Management & Self Care

Chapter 10: The Art of Negotiation

Chapter 11: Setting and Achieving Goals

Chapter 12: Choosing a Career

Chapter 13: Building Self-Confidence

Chapter 14: Handling Conflict

Chapter 15: Managing Your Digital Presence

Chapter 16: How to Be a Model Citizen

Conclusion

About the Author

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the incredible young people in my life. Your energy, curiosity, and passion inspire me every day. Thank you for sharing your stories, insights, and dreams with me. This book is dedicated to you, and I hope it empowers you to reach for the stars and make your mark on the world.

I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to Dr. Elijah James, whose expertise, guidance, and unwavering support were instrumental in shaping this book. Your keen eye for detail and commitment to excellence have truly made a difference, and I am immensely grateful for your collaboration.

A special ‘Thank You’ to you, Ancier White, for your invaluable assistance throughout the writing and editing process. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work have been indispensable, and I could not have completed this project without you.

To all the mentors, educators, and advocates who continue to champion the next generation, thank you for your tireless efforts and unwavering belief in the potential of youth. Your support is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

Introduction

Hey there! Welcome to your go-to guide for conquering the real world. As you gear up to tackle life beyond the classroom, we know you’ve got questions – and we’ve got answers. From managing money to mastering relationships and everything in between, we’re here to help you navigate adulthood like a pro.

There is so much you didn’t cover in school and we have addressed some of these issues for you. In these pages, you’ll find down-to-earth advice and real-life stories to guide you through life’s ups and downs. Whether you’re figuring out how to budget, acing that job interview, or figuring out the world of friendships and dating, we’ve got your back.

So, get ready to dive in, learn some new skills, and discover how to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. Let’s tackle this adventure together because you’ve got what it takes to succeed.

Chapter 1: 3 Essential Tools to Make It in This World

There was a girl named Liz Murray whose parents were both drug addicts. As a child, when the government support checks came, her parents would buy drugs first and then buy food with what was left. Liz and her sister would eat ice or toothpaste when hungry as they often went without food. Liz’s mom died from AIDS. She had become HIV positive because she was sharing needles with other addicts. Later, on, her Dad also would sadly, die of AIDS. Eventually, Liz became homeless and hopeless. She eventually enrolled back into High School and submitted an essay to get a scholarship to attend Harvard University, one of the most prestigious universities in the United States.

You can imagine her excitement when she was accepted. Liz’s story was made into a movie called From Homeless to Harvard. If Liz could have made it despite all her circumstances, you can too!!!

Maybe you have parents who are addicts

Maybe you have experimented with drugs

Maybe you were compared to your siblings as a child

Maybe you were bullied because you were darker than others, bigger than others or you were a migrant

Maybe someone called you no good

Maybe you were told you wouldn’t amount to anything

In spite of all that, you can make it in this world.

Three characteristics can make a difference for you.

Resilience

Grit

Perseverance

Some of us when we were growing up, had many dreams. One of my young friend’s first fantasies was to be an astronaut, which may sound strange for a Caribbean teenager. He thought that if he worked hard and did well in physics, he would make it.

But then he began reading al

l of the conditions for him to do so, and he realized it was more than what he wanted to do and the odds were too slim. He started reading several books and looking at the reality of life in his country, he decided he could do more good by becoming a doctor. Now, he is happy with his decision. It was not easy working through medical school, but he succeeded.

What do you need to make in this world?

Resilience

Grit

Perseverance

I tell you, it’s not always going to be easy, but it will never stop being an adventure until you give up.

Life is a trip, and the journey becomes easier if you have the right things in your bag… a passport, a ticket, and a destination in mind.

So if you want to make it in life, you have to know where you want to end up. Otherwise, how do you know what direction you should take? And when you start moving in that direction of your dreams and passions, you will reach those obstacles and mountains and roadblocks and speedbumps, but do you stop? No, you pause, but you keep going with your three companions.

Resilience

Grit

Perseverance

You have to train your mind to withstand hardships and obstacles. You have to always hold on to your passion and keep your dreams in sight.

What do you want to do right now, at this particular moment? When you figure it out, you will know what your destination is. Of course, you can change it sometimes, but have something that you are reaching for that means a lot to you.

What do you really desire? What’s that precious thing you want to get? Ask your heart and then let your mind listen.

When you decide what that dream or goal is, then you figure out what you need to do to get there. The next step is finding the resources you have that will help you and what you need to ask for help.

What Do You Need To Ask Yourself?

This is a question that everyone must answer, and it will lead us all differently based on what we want out of life. You still have a lot of uncertainty in your life. You are young and eager to learn, eager to get up and make a difference in your own life, and eager to persevere.

I think that once you have an answer to that question you have to ask yourself another thing; am I going to make the world a better place? Determining what you want to do in your life and what impact you want to make are important.

Being a better person entails making your home, your community, your country, or the world a better place for everybody.

Resilience, Grit, and Perseverance: Guiding You

Resilience, Grit, and Perseverance are three of the best companions you can carry with you on your journey of life to achieve the goals you envision for yourself.

Resilience is the capacity to heal, bounce back, or rebuild from challenges in your experience. It's all about being able to navigate and adjust to a situation, or tension, and yet continue to plough along. Often, you have a stamina that helps you to heal better than others and get back to living life to the fullest or chasing your goal.

Grit is all about perseverance in pursuit of long-term targets. It all comes down to self-control and the ability to forego immediate pleasure. To me, it's a subtle distinction from perseverance, which necessitates grit in order to endure and persevere.

Perseverance means holding the course and not giving up. You ‘persist' – you keep pushing to the finish line no matter how many challenges, hurdles, or delays you encounter on the way to reaching your aspirations or ambitions! To persevere requires having a never-say-die attitude, no matter how difficult circumstances are.

I hear you when you say: it is easier said than done. When the people in your own home, like your parents, are ready to give up, how do you push through? Sometimes you feel so alone and as if no one understands. Don’t give up though, especially if the goal you are trying to achieve is a good one. You can pause to rest or ask for help, but keep going.

Remember Usain Bolt? This sprinter