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What is something I can do in Highschool that will prepare me for college besides taking AP/honors classes??
Even after taking APs and Honors classes, I still feel behind other students.
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Doc’s Answer
Congratulations Aaron you'll be starting college soon, it’s a big deal, especially if you’ll be living away from home for the first time. While the amazing experiences ahead will be accompanied by some challenges along the way, there are key life skills that will help you stay on the path to graduation. Mastering these five things could make a difference for you before, during, and after college.
1️⃣ SELF-MOTIVATION
Most students know that college will challenge them to become much more self-motivated and self-disciplined. With more free time and a less structured environment, college students learn to form their own schedules, make mental and physical health decisions, and prioritize studying and assignments to meet deadlines. Self-motivation is also an important life-skill that all types of careers will require. Though some careers will include structure and formulaic assignments, employers prefer to work with an individual who knows how to self-motivate, especially during busy times. Those who can learn to motivate themselves, foster their own growth, and manage their time wisely will easily become top-rated and sought-after students and employees. Start working on your self-motivation by listing your priorities, setting goals, and keeping a calendar. The more you check in with yourself, the better you will recognize what motivates you and how to carry out the actions that will lead you to your goals.
2️⃣ PROBLEM SOLVING
Critical thinking and problem solving skills are imperative for college students. These skills help the student navigate the uncertainties of college expectations and coursework. They must make informed decisions in order to be successful. Let’s begin with the start of college – students must pick the courses they need which is not an easy task. Students must learn to navigate the school’s portal and not only decide on which classes are necessary to take, but also enroll at the right time. These skills come in handy when classes are closed due to space capacity and they must decide which courses they would need to replace — this is effective decision making. There are a myriad of options that can confuse a student. This confusion can be discouraging and dangerous to the student’s degree completion. Making effective decisions through critical thinking can solve problems early on to ensure the success of the student right from the beginning. These skills are also essential for coursework. The rigor of coursework might feel overwhelming and challenging for the student. Naturally, these skills are developed throughout a student’s high school career and can later be an asset in higher education.
3️⃣ EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Communicating can be very difficult for students who fear the unknown. But communicating effectively, verbally and in writing, is key to a student’s academic, personal, and social success. In the classroom, a student must know that communication is vital for understanding curriculum and classroom expectations. They must ask questions, express their ideas, and be strong writers in order to ensure their success. Participation is expected in almost every classroom, whether individually or within a group. This includes reaching out to a teacher during office hours or when receiving challenging feedback on an assignment. Students must have the confidence and the professionalism to communicate effectively. They will thrive when this skill comes into play — it is one of the most important skills to have. It not only benefits them in the classroom, but also personally and socially. College is a time for a student’s personal and social growth and it starts by being vocal. Being social requires a student to be vocal. This can lead to networking, respect, and lifelong friendships. If a student is timid and reserved, they can join a club or a sport in high school to have more opportunities to talk to people. This will build confidence and effective communication will follow.
4️⃣ TIME MANAGEMENT
Time is precious and in order to enjoy all that college life offers, students should start with being able to balance that time. With effective time management skills, students will be fully engaged in the classroom while enjoying the social aspects of college. There are several ways a student can balance academics and a social life; it all starts with planning. Having a planner is essential — this is a daily reminder of events, assignments, class times, among other important events. A planner can be in the form of a book planner, a calendar or a digital planner from an app. This helps the student to be organized and on track for tasks and commitments. Being cognizant of the time helps the student be on time, avoid procrastination, as well as prioritize assignments and appointments. This is not an easy task. But when college feels overwhelming, balancing time is essential for academic success, and more importantly, for the mental health of the student. Make sure students know that balancing this time includes self-care.
5️⃣ PERSEVERANCE
Perhaps one of the most important readiness skills for college, career, and beyond is perseverance, or what some might call “grit.” No matter what path you decide to take for higher education or your career, you will likely face many challenges along the way. And perseverance will get you there. The ability to recover from failures is the only sure way to success. Work hard, learn from mistakes, and continue to grow. That’s all anyone can ever ask for, and if you learn to persevere now, you will be ready for bumps in the road in both college and your future career path.
CONCLUSION
For many students, going away to college provides your first taste of true independence. No one is giving you a curfew or telling you what to eat or when to sleep. The freedom can be exhilarating, but it also comes with new responsibilities. Eating well, getting plenty of sleep, exercising, and avoiding risky behaviors are all important steps in managing stress and keeping yourself focused on succeeding in college. If you haven’t already developed these habits, now is a great time to begin working on them.
Hope this will be helpful Aaron
1️⃣ SELF-MOTIVATION
Most students know that college will challenge them to become much more self-motivated and self-disciplined. With more free time and a less structured environment, college students learn to form their own schedules, make mental and physical health decisions, and prioritize studying and assignments to meet deadlines. Self-motivation is also an important life-skill that all types of careers will require. Though some careers will include structure and formulaic assignments, employers prefer to work with an individual who knows how to self-motivate, especially during busy times. Those who can learn to motivate themselves, foster their own growth, and manage their time wisely will easily become top-rated and sought-after students and employees. Start working on your self-motivation by listing your priorities, setting goals, and keeping a calendar. The more you check in with yourself, the better you will recognize what motivates you and how to carry out the actions that will lead you to your goals.
2️⃣ PROBLEM SOLVING
Critical thinking and problem solving skills are imperative for college students. These skills help the student navigate the uncertainties of college expectations and coursework. They must make informed decisions in order to be successful. Let’s begin with the start of college – students must pick the courses they need which is not an easy task. Students must learn to navigate the school’s portal and not only decide on which classes are necessary to take, but also enroll at the right time. These skills come in handy when classes are closed due to space capacity and they must decide which courses they would need to replace — this is effective decision making. There are a myriad of options that can confuse a student. This confusion can be discouraging and dangerous to the student’s degree completion. Making effective decisions through critical thinking can solve problems early on to ensure the success of the student right from the beginning. These skills are also essential for coursework. The rigor of coursework might feel overwhelming and challenging for the student. Naturally, these skills are developed throughout a student’s high school career and can later be an asset in higher education.
3️⃣ EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Communicating can be very difficult for students who fear the unknown. But communicating effectively, verbally and in writing, is key to a student’s academic, personal, and social success. In the classroom, a student must know that communication is vital for understanding curriculum and classroom expectations. They must ask questions, express their ideas, and be strong writers in order to ensure their success. Participation is expected in almost every classroom, whether individually or within a group. This includes reaching out to a teacher during office hours or when receiving challenging feedback on an assignment. Students must have the confidence and the professionalism to communicate effectively. They will thrive when this skill comes into play — it is one of the most important skills to have. It not only benefits them in the classroom, but also personally and socially. College is a time for a student’s personal and social growth and it starts by being vocal. Being social requires a student to be vocal. This can lead to networking, respect, and lifelong friendships. If a student is timid and reserved, they can join a club or a sport in high school to have more opportunities to talk to people. This will build confidence and effective communication will follow.
4️⃣ TIME MANAGEMENT
Time is precious and in order to enjoy all that college life offers, students should start with being able to balance that time. With effective time management skills, students will be fully engaged in the classroom while enjoying the social aspects of college. There are several ways a student can balance academics and a social life; it all starts with planning. Having a planner is essential — this is a daily reminder of events, assignments, class times, among other important events. A planner can be in the form of a book planner, a calendar or a digital planner from an app. This helps the student to be organized and on track for tasks and commitments. Being cognizant of the time helps the student be on time, avoid procrastination, as well as prioritize assignments and appointments. This is not an easy task. But when college feels overwhelming, balancing time is essential for academic success, and more importantly, for the mental health of the student. Make sure students know that balancing this time includes self-care.
5️⃣ PERSEVERANCE
Perhaps one of the most important readiness skills for college, career, and beyond is perseverance, or what some might call “grit.” No matter what path you decide to take for higher education or your career, you will likely face many challenges along the way. And perseverance will get you there. The ability to recover from failures is the only sure way to success. Work hard, learn from mistakes, and continue to grow. That’s all anyone can ever ask for, and if you learn to persevere now, you will be ready for bumps in the road in both college and your future career path.
CONCLUSION
For many students, going away to college provides your first taste of true independence. No one is giving you a curfew or telling you what to eat or when to sleep. The freedom can be exhilarating, but it also comes with new responsibilities. Eating well, getting plenty of sleep, exercising, and avoiding risky behaviors are all important steps in managing stress and keeping yourself focused on succeeding in college. If you haven’t already developed these habits, now is a great time to begin working on them.
Hope this will be helpful Aaron
Olivia Alford
I am a Strategic Initiatives Manager. My job is related to strategic planning and am a Project Manager.
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Olivia’s Answer
Hi Aaron,
Besides AP or honors classes, there are several other ways to prepare for college. You can join clubs, volunteer, get a part-time job, or take on leadership roles at school. These experiences help you build time-management and communication skills and increase your ability to handle multiple responsibilities at once, which are important in college. It can also help to practice study habits, ask teachers for help when needed, and explore activities that match your interests.
Besides AP or honors classes, there are several other ways to prepare for college. You can join clubs, volunteer, get a part-time job, or take on leadership roles at school. These experiences help you build time-management and communication skills and increase your ability to handle multiple responsibilities at once, which are important in college. It can also help to practice study habits, ask teachers for help when needed, and explore activities that match your interests.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Aaron
Updated
Alaina’s Answer
Staying organized and having good study habits really help you get ready for college, where there's often a lot more to handle. If you're taking AP or Honors classes, you're already ahead of the game!
I appreciate your support, Alaina
Aaron
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Taking AP and honors classes shows you're pushing yourself, so don't worry about feeling behind. Many people think others have everything figured out, but most students are just doing their best and learning along the way. College isn't just about taking the hardest classes; it's also about learning to manage time, stay organized, and handle all the responsibilities of being a student.
Getting involved in activities outside of class is really helpful. Joining clubs, volunteering, playing sports, working part-time, or helping in your community can teach you valuable skills like teamwork, communication, and responsibility. Plus, it helps you discover what you enjoy and what you're good at, which is just as important as your grades.
Building good habits can make life much easier. Using a planner, keeping up with assignments, asking teachers for help when needed, and finding the best way for you to study will save you a lot of stress in the future.
Getting involved in activities outside of class is really helpful. Joining clubs, volunteering, playing sports, working part-time, or helping in your community can teach you valuable skills like teamwork, communication, and responsibility. Plus, it helps you discover what you enjoy and what you're good at, which is just as important as your grades.
Building good habits can make life much easier. Using a planner, keeping up with assignments, asking teachers for help when needed, and finding the best way for you to study will save you a lot of stress in the future.
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