They both worry if their children are ready for the next step.

The answer lies in how much their kids can do without help. For teens going on to college, it should be just about everything.

Here are some skills experts say teens should have before they are ready to be on their own:

• Gets up and gets out. It sounds almost too basic. But if your teen needs you to get her out the door in high school, she may sleep through many an early morning college class.

• Stays alone without trouble. At 18 years of age, your teen should be able to take care of herself, and control herself, over a weekend.

• Does schoolwork without nagging. No one will nag her when she’s in college. If she doesn’t do the work, she’ll fail. Simple as that.

• Balances schoolwork and outside activities. There are lots of fun things to do at college, and your teen should take part. But she’ll have to set boundaries for herself.

• Manages time. Early on, she will have to figure out how much time she will need for assignments, papers, even walking to classes. Otherwise, she will find herself always running behind.

• Knows how to say “no.” Nearly every college student will receive offers that are best refused. Should she apply for that credit card, go out alone on that late-night date? She will need judgment.

• Knows why she is going to college. New students don’t have to pick a major right away. But it’s good to have a few ideas.

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