Life Skills Toolkit: Practice Your Hacks

Section 1: Organizational Strategies

Instructions: Read each scenario and describe which organizational strategy you would use and why.

1. Scenario: You have three major assignments due next week (a history essay, a math project, and a science presentation), plus a part-time job and a sports practice every day after school. You feel overwhelmed just thinking about it.

   • Strategy:
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Why:
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Scenario: Your backpack and study space are cluttered with old papers, forgotten snacks, and random items. When it's time to do homework, you can never find what you need.

   • Strategy:
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Why:
     
     
     
     
     
     

Section 2: Resource Identification

Instructions: For each situation, identify at least two resources you could use to help, and explain how each resource would assist you.

1. Scenario: You are struggling to understand a complex topic in your English class, and the teacher has already moved on. You don't want to fall behind.

   • Resource 1:
     
     
     
     
   • How it helps:
     
     
     
     
   • Resource 2:
     
     
     
     
   • How it helps:
     
     
     
     

2. Scenario: You want to learn a new skill, like basic coding or playing a musical instrument, but your school doesn't offer a class for it, and you don't know where to start.

   • Resource 1:
     
     
     
     
   • How it helps:
     
     
     
     
   • Resource 2:
     
     
     
     
   • How it helps:
     
     
     
     

Section 3: Problem-Solving Steps

Instructions: Use the problem-solving steps (Define, Brainstorm, Act, Evaluate) to address the following scenario.

Scenario: You planned to study for a big test with a friend, but at the last minute, your friend cancels, and you feel unprepared and anxious.

1. Define the Problem:
   
   
   
   

2. Brainstorm Solutions (at least 3):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Choose one solution to Act on and describe your plan:
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. How would you Evaluate if your solution was successful?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 4: Reflection

1. What is one life skill we discussed today that you feel is most important for high school students, and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How do you think practicing these life skills can reduce stress and overwhelm in your daily life?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Life Skills Discussion: Solving Real-World Scenarios

Opening Question:

Think about a time you faced a challenge in your daily life (e.g., managing your time, figuring out a school issue, trying to learn something new). What was the challenge, and how did you try to solve it? What worked, and what didn't?

Scenario-Based Discussion Prompts:

Instructions: In small groups or as a whole class, discuss the following scenarios. Apply the organizational, resource identification, and problem-solving strategies we learned today.

Scenario 1: The Group Project Goof-Up

You have a major group project due, and one of your group members isn't doing their share. The deadline is approaching fast, and you're worried about your grade.

• How would you define the problem here? Is it just about the group member, or something more?
• What resources could you use (e.g., people, tools, school policies) to address this situation?
• Walk through the problem-solving steps. What are some possible solutions you could brainstorm? What would be your first step to act on a solution?
• How might good organizational skills (like tracking progress or communicating deadlines) have prevented or lessened this problem?

Scenario 2: Budgeting Basics

You've started earning money from a part-time job, but you find it hard to save for bigger goals (like a new phone or college applications) because your money seems to disappear quickly.

• What is the core problem you are trying to solve?
• What organizational strategies could help you manage your money better? (Think about tracking, planning, etc.)
• What resources are available to help you learn about budgeting or saving? (Consider both people and information sources).
• If you tried a budgeting method and it didn't work, how would you use the