According to Denise Witmer—who has worked with adolescents since 1988, has worked in teen development programs, launched a Parenting Teens website, published two books, and has been featured in many magazines—some of the most useful skills for teens are:
- The development of hygiene and healthy habits
- The ability to set and obtain a goal
- The ability to manage their time wisely in order to get more tasks accomplished which will help them feel good about themselves and their abilities
- The ability to deal with stress such as finding someone to communicate to about their stress, healthy ways to relieve stress, building confidence and self-esteem and keeping a healthy perspective
- The ability to deal with anger including anger awareness techniques such as recognizing the warning signs and emotional triggers of their anger and how to prevent situations that make them angry, in addition to anger management techniques such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and journaling as a way to express themselves
According to Laura Kastner, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and author of several books, including Wise-Minded Parenting and, along with Jennifer Wyatt, Ph.D., The Seven Year Stretch: How Families Work Together to Grow through Adolescence:
- A motivation for personal goals such as a willingness to try new things, persistence, work ethic and commitment
- Planning ahead, being organized and making informed decisions
- Value and self-care in relation to exercise, sleep, eating, health maintenance, and limitations on risk taking, substance use and media overuse
- The ability to size up interpersonal situations; cooperation with others; communication skills; conflict resolution skills; gaining perspective; and accurate self-appraisal in groups
- The ability to accept and cope with adversities; emotional resilience