As we gear up to send another group of young adults off to university, I can’t help but wonder—how ready were you when you first moved away from home? There’s that thrilling readiness of making your own decisions (hello, pizza and cookies for dinner!), but then there’s the not-so-ready side that kept you returning home for laundry service and a little cash boost from mom.

Today’s teens, though? A recent study suggests that 1 in 4 aren’t equipped enough to live on their own. They even likened it to sending a kid to play on the freeway. A bit dramatic, right?

But here’s the thing: as long as you’ve got your bills on auto-pay, know how to cook at least three things, and can handle your laundry, you’ll survive—at least long enough to meet someone who helps you figure out the rest. Worked for me!