After a decade of teaching college, these are the lessons I wish every freshman already knew

The author (not pictured), a college instructor, says there are several things parents should teach freshmen before they head off to their first year at school. Terry Vine/Getty Images As a college instructor, I've seen students thrive and struggle in their first year. The ones who succeed seem to have a few important life skills in common. If your child is heading off to school, you should make sure to do these things first. I am a mom of four, one of whom is dual-enrolled in high school and college courses. I have also taught more than 1,000 college students over the last decade. Of course, I've seen students thrive and flounder over the years. The ones who succeed all seem to have some similarities. My experience has shown me that knowing a few things before starting freshman year can make a big difference.