By the time students reach high school, independence is often expected—but not always explicitly taught. Teens are navigating more responsibilities, more freedom, and higher stakes, but that doesn’t mean they always feel ready.
The Becoming More Independent worksheet from Everyday Speech gives students space to reflect on what independence means to them, where they feel confident, and where they still need support. It’s a free, printable activity designed to help high schoolers identify concrete steps they can take toward greater autonomy.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why independence matters (and why students may still struggle with it)
- A breakdown of what’s inside the worksheet
- A flexible three-part lesson plan for classroom use
- A free downloadable PDF to use today
Why Teaching Independence Matters
It’s easy to assume that high schoolers should already know how to be independent. But that assumption overlooks just how many skills are involved in independence—planning, self-regulation, problem-solving, and communication, just to name a few.
Even students who want more independence might struggle to:
- Identify where they need support vs. where they can take the lead
- Make decisions without second-guessing themselves
- Follow through on their goals without reminders
- Ask for more responsibility without feeling overwhelmed
Teaching independence means more than handing over tasks. It means helping students name what they need, reflect on their habits, and build confidence in their ability to take action.
What’s Inside the “Becoming More Independent” Worksheet?
This worksheet prompts students to:
- Define what independence means to them in their own words
- Identify one or two areas where they’d like to become more independent
- Choose a specific goal or behavior they want to work on
- Brainstorm strategies to help them take more ownership
Prompts are written with teen-friendly language and offer just enough structure without boxing students in. You can easily scaffold the activity with class discussion or peer modeling if needed.
How to Teach This Lesson
Here’s a simple three-part plan:
1. Introduce the concept of independence (5–10 minutes)
Start with a whole-class discussion:
- What does “being independent” mean to you?
- Where in your life do you already feel independent?
- Where do you still need help—and why might that be?
Let students know this isn’t about “doing everything alone.” It’s about learning to take ownership in ways that are age-appropriate, safe, and supportive.
You can also give examples from real life:
- “I want to manage my schoolwork without reminders”
- “I want to be more independent in social situations”
- “I want to make my own plans and follow through”
This helps normalize the process—independence is a skill, not a switch.
2. Complete the worksheet together (10 minutes)
Pass out the worksheet and walk students through it. Read each section aloud and give think-time between prompts.
Encourage them to be specific:
- Instead of “I want to be more independent,” push for “I want to get myself up in the morning without reminders” or “I want to email my teachers directly when I have questions.”
You can also model answers as a class or in small groups. This supports students who may need help articulating their thoughts.
3. Reflect and discuss (10–15 minutes)
After completing the worksheet, invite students to share (voluntarily) in pairs, small groups, or as a class:
- What did you notice about your own independence?
- What’s one thing you feel ready to take on by yourself?
- What might get in the way—and how could you respond?
Use this discussion to help students connect their goals to real-world action. If time allows, have students write one strategy or intention on a sticky note to keep on their binder or desk.
Why We Recommend This Resource
This worksheet gives high school students a framework to:
- Reflect honestly on their habits and routines
- Set personal goals without judgment or pressure
- Build confidence through small, achievable actions
- Shift from passive dependence to proactive independence
Whether you’re working in general education or support services, this activity opens up meaningful conversations about responsibility, identity, and growth.
Want More? Access Additional Free Resources!
Everyday Speech is a no-prep digital curriculum that combines evidence-based video modeling, interactive web games, and digital and printable worksheets to make teaching social skills easy.
We offer a free 30-day trial where you can use our thousands of video lessons, worksheets, and games to teach social skills like self-esteem.
Here’s an example video modeling lesson for helping students build independence from our curriculum:
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