Simple tricks to help your high school graduate prepare for college

TAMPA, Fla. — Do you have a high schooler who is about to graduate? If so, we are helping you prepare your graduate for college. From dorm rooms to balancing a budget, there are some things teens just cannot learn in high school.

COOKING IN YOUR DORM ROOM

• Breakfast: Try cooking an omelet in a mug. Eggs, milk, tomatoes and cheese!
• Lunch: Make a Chipotle bowl from home. Warm up brown rice, add black beans and avocado.
• Dinner: Try substituting your mac and cheese w/cauliflower.
• Late night snack: Pizza in a mug. Marinara, cheese and pepperoni for 2 minutes in your microwave.

LAUNDRY

Maybe your graduate's never done laundry before. Make sure they know the basics before sending them away.

• Never mix colors with whites.
• Dry your clothes in cold air to avoid shrinkage.
• Wash your sheets at least every two weeks.
• Hang up your nice clothes.

INTANGIBLES

• Time management — Teach your soon-to-be grad about how to run a calendar on a smart phone and keep a running to-do list.
• Professional quality e-mails — Text-speak and emojis probably won't go over well with their professor or manager with a job offering.
• Money management — Pinching pennies can be necessary on a college student budget.
• Present yourself as a professional — Look and act professional but also know how to give a good handshake.

Your soon-to-be college student can get more financial advice at College Guru Academy.