Life Skills Academy | San Jose Public Library

Due to our temporary closures, we are currently not accepting book donations at any location.

Eight icons representing different life skills: apartment building, moving dolley, wallet, healthy heart, book stack, silverware, resume, judo robe.

Life Doesn’t Come With an Instruction Manual

You’ve been through a dozen years of school and know Shakespeare’s birthday, our fifteenth President’s favorite pie, and the value of A Midsummer’s Night Dream up to five decimal points ... or was that the other way around? Now you’re ready to kiss high school goodbye and go on to something new. The only question that matters now is: "Are you ready?"

The San José Public Library may not know the answer, but we do have the solution. Introducing the Life Skills Academy, a new program designed by the library exclusively for you, the high school student planning on leaving it all behind for college or the work force. Sure, you may have a great résumé and GPA, but can you boil an egg? The Life Skills Academy will teach you some of the essential tips and tricks that you’ll need to lead a successful and (relatively) stress-free adult life.

Our Programs

No registration required. Our Life Skills programs are built to target ages 14-19, but all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

apartment building

Life Skills Academy: Your First Apartment

There are many different ways you can go right and wrong when you’re embarking on the journey of figuring out where you want to live, looking for housing, and even living with roommates.

books and papers on a desktop

Life Skills Academy: Your First College Class

College is an amazing experience. It’s fun, challenging, educational, and absolutely nothing like high school. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure the experience works for you.

cooked meat

Life Skills Academy: Cooking on a Budget

Tired of cooking out of a box? Has cup ramen lost its flair? Impress your friends, your parents, your bae. Learn some healthy, and tasty alternatives to ketchup spaghetti and store-bought burritos.

coins

Life Skills Academy: Credit, Budgeting, and Managing Money

Getting your first paycheck is an awesome experience. Paying your first bill? Not so much. Learn how to budget, build credit, and balance your needs and desires with your income.

First Aid Kit with bandages, pills, scissors, syringe, and gauze.

Life Skills Academy: First Aid

A box of bandages in your bathroom isn’t going to solve all your medical maladies. Learn basic first aid and be prepared when the worst happens. (Or at the least what to do about that nasty hangnail.)

Two pairs of martial artists practice self defense on mats.

Life Skills Academy: Self-Defense

Part of growing up is keeping yourself safe and knowing how to handle yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. Learn how to avoid dangerous situations and what to do when a crisis hits.

Desk with pens, pushpins, a tablet, and a sticky note with text: Good Job

Life Skills Academy: How Not to Get Fired from Your First Job

Getting your first job is only half the battle. Keeping it can be just as hard. Learn the skills you need to make sure that once you get employed, you stay employed.

White loveseat with clothing and shoes cluttered around

Life Skills Academy: How to Live on Your Own

You take a look at your first apartment, but now what?  How the heck are you supposed to survive?  Get firsthand tips and tricks from our expert in living on your own.

Job search with resume, application, clock, keyboard, and coffee

Life Skills Academy: How to Get a Job

Getting a job is tough. You have to write resumes, prepare for interviews, and actually find someplace to be hired.  Learn the best ways to find a job and make an impression on your interviewer.

Orange and yellow alarm clock with a book and mug of tea on a navy blanket

Life Skills Academy: Time Management

Life can be way stressful even before you begin to worry about college, moving out, or your first job. Learn how to make the best use of time, avoid procrastination, and set goals to succeed.

SJSU Building

Life Skills Academy: Getting into SJSU

Test scores aren't all colleges look at! Hear firsthand from currently-enrolled San José State students and counselors. SJSU is one of the nation's best kept secrets - find out why.