College success entails more than just attending lectures, taking notes, and performing well on exams. Your student will be more successful in college both inside and outside of the classroom if they have certain skills. Check out this list of abilities your student needs to start acquiring in order to be prepared for college.
1: Assertiveness
The proverb "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" has been around for a reason: it's accurate. In college, it's likely that your student will have to defend themselves on a number of occasions and speak up for themselves. It might be challenging, depending on the circumstance and the student. But as they practise more, it will get simpler.
2: Responsibility
Your student will be held accountable for everything when they are away at college on their own. It's now up to them to get up on time for class, finish their assignments, and prepare their own meals. Give them more responsibility at home to aid in their preparation. Don't ask them if they finished their homework, don't wake them up (even if they are oversleeping), and let them prepare some of their own meals occasionally. Even though it might be challenging, doing so will be to their long-term advantage.
3: Self management skills
Being responsible also means learning how to manage oneself well. In college, your student will be responsible for scheduling their own medical and dental appointments, doing their own laundry, and making and maintaining their own financial plans. Again, these are actions you can support them in taking right away.
4: Communication skills
Your student should be ready to communicate in different ways with different people because they will meet new advisors, professors, staff members, and other people in college who communicate with students in a variety of ways. What's up? could be used as the subject line of an email to a classmate, but not for one to a professor.
5: Collaboration skills
In college, your student's classes are probably going to involve a lot of group work. That's advantageous because many professions demand teamwork. However, they must be prepared if they have little prior teamwork experience. This entails doing their fair share of the work and speaking up if another team member isn't contributing enough (see the assertiveness section above).
6: Independent work skills
Your student will also need to be adept at working independently in addition to teamwork and collaboration. Being a self-starter, knowing where to find information, and having problem-solving skills are big pluses because they'll likely be doing more individual work than group work.
7: Critical-thinking skills
Critical thinking is valued highly in college. Your student will no longer be expected to memorise state capitals; rather, they will now be expected to solve problems analytically. By posing hypothetical life questions to them and allowing them to consider the best answers, you can help them get started right away.
8: Study skills
Hopefully in high school, your student gained effective study techniques. These include planning, taking notes, and dedicating a lot of time to studying. The internet is a wealth of useful information if your student feels they need to sharpen their study techniques.
9: Technological skills
Many students have no trouble using and navigating the technology of today; it almost seems as though children are born with the ability. But if your student isn't tech-savvy, they'll need to learn how to use some fundamental software applications as well as find and access information online. Additionally, it wouldn't hurt to become familiar with online communication platforms like Zoom and Slack.
10: Tolerance for ambiguity
There are grey areas in both life and college. When it comes to assignments, some professors provide guidelines rather than specifics. Less nervous and more able to pick up on subtle cues are students who are better able to work in the "grey" area when things are not entirely clear.
11: At ease with diversity
Your student will come into contact with people from a wide range of backgrounds in college, including those related to various races, cultures, religions, political ideologies, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. The great thing about this is that they will learn from different students in addition to their professors.
12: Creative thinking
College is the best place for your student to start making things happen if they have an innovative way of thinking. There is a need for innovative and original approaches to conventional modes of thought. Your student will be able to stand out and be noticed for all the right reasons if they do this.
13: Ability to follow directions
While in college, your student will have a lot of freedom but also be required to follow a lot of rules. This covers their professors' expectations for submission of assignments and classroom behaviour, as well as other issues like the number of visitors they are permitted in their dorm room, parking restrictions, and even where they are permitted to ride their bikes on campus. There will always be some degree of conformity even though college is a time for independence and self-discovery.
14: Having personal goals
Your student's college experience will be significantly more valuable if they have goals. This does not imply that they must choose a major on their first day of college. It might imply that they want to have specific college experiences, like working on a research project with a professor, participating in at least two clubs, or going abroad to study. Make sure your student is aware of these opportunities and incorporates them into their long-term goals because college offers so many of them.
15: Being engaged
No matter what they are doing, encourage your student to be attentive. Even if the subject isn't the most interesting, pay attention in class because there is always something to learn. Additionally, they ought to get involved in college life in general by joining clubs, getting to know their professors well, keeping up with student government (even if they decide not to join), reading the student newspaper, and attending football games. Your student can experience and learn so much in college, but they must put forth the effort to participate.
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