Importance of College Readiness

Whenever we start a new chapter of our lives, we always get the feeling of excitement and anxiousness, and when it’s about starting your college life then these feelings double up. We know how students feel about going to college, making new friends, living a new life, participating in various clubs and programs etc. But the most important thing for which they take admission and go to college is their studies, for which they have to prepare ahead, like choosing the course to opt, subjects of their interest etc. And if they don’t decide all these things before taking admission in college then it creates problems for them, that’s why students are needed to be prepared with the  skills and knowledge they would need to make them college ready. That is why “college readiness” is important for students, and it’s the job of teachers who are currently teaching students and the teachers who will fill application for teaching job in future, to make students aware about college readiness.

What is College Readiness?

College readiness includes all those skills and knowledge that students need to have to successfully complete their initial year of college. And these knowledge, skills and behaviour should be taught when they are still in High school. School counselors and teachers play  very important role in imparting this knowledge to students as early as possible, so that they don’t face many problems while starting their higher education.

Importance of College Readiness

Academic Readiness: The education that is given in college is much more advanced and of a higher level, than the students studied in their schools. By giving students an overview of courses and subjects that they want to study in future, teachers and school counselors can make them academically ready for college. And they will be able to perform well in their higher studies.

Makes students socially ready: The life as a school student and the life as college student are very different from each other. In college students will meet other students who are from different places, cultures and backgrounds. Through college readiness skills, we can teach them communication skills, so that they will be able to talk, communicate and be able to make friends with other people.

Also Read: Problem solving made easy with Class 11th Biology NCERT solution books

Greater Retention  rate: We hear it so many times that students drop out just after few months of going college, because they don’t feel like studying, or don’t like the course they chose or it’s too much pressure.If we prepare children in advance providing them right guidance, teaching them necessary skills and behaviour, it can ensure greater retention rate. As students will feel more confident in themselves, and be able handle different situations they face in their college years.

Emotional Readiness: The shift from sheltered school life to the college life full of freedom, student’s emotions are all over the place. They find it difficult to balance between their social and academic life in college. That’s why it’s important for school counselors to prepare children emotionally, for later on changes in their lives, by counselling and guiding them.

Methods of College Readiness for Students

Create Better School Environment: It’s important for school authorities and teachers to create such a environment in schools, that students can talk, discuss and ask freely about their futures, ideas and plans with their peers and with teachers. As when they will start having conversations about such topics then it will be more easier for students to prepare themselves for higher education.

Plan Early: The best way to plan right, is to plan early. It’s school and teacher’s job to make students aware about the skills, knowledge and behaviour that they need to learn before entering into the college life.

Motivation: If a person doesn’t have any motivation then he/she can’t do anything.That’s why it’s important to motivate students to think ahead, think positive about their futures, so they try to plan and learn skills,and for this teachers should talk to them, recite motivational quotes for students, to keep their spirits high and positive.

Parental involvement: Without the support of parents students can feel demotivated, it’s important that parents are involved in their children future plans.