College Readiness Tips

College Ready Tips from Director of College Guidance, Mr. Jason Hoffman

As college admissions season is well under way across the nation, students and their families begin to submit applications, gather materials to be sent to colleges and universities, and finalize their college essays and resumes.

As students begin to finalize their high school careers, often they begin to contemplate the academic preparation that will lead them to the next step of their educational journey. It is a natural instinct at some point in a student’s high school career to question their academic readiness. "Did I take enough AP credits? Should I have pushed myself harder in math? Did I explore all possible electives offered at my school?" All of these are valid questions to ask, but hopefully, with the guidance of family, counselors, and teachers, the student will have finished their senior year with a well-rounded list of courses under their belt that will prepare them for the academic challenges that lie ahead.

But perhaps a more pertinent question that is, "have I done all I can to prepare me socially and emotionally for the next step of my education?"

For many students at Woodlynde and across the nation, the transition to post-secondary education and living independently is the biggest hurdle the student have to face. While no amount of preparation can really help a student understand living on their own, a student can take proactive measures in upper school to build upon their social-emotional experiences. Below, you will find a list of tips that can help any high school student blossom into a college-ready, independent student.

Step outside of their comfort zone: Whether it's on the tennis court, serving up aces or nestled away writing a creative fan fiction piece, every student has their comfort zone. Although we all deserve rest, relaxation, and comfort, pushing a student to explore new areas of the world is a wonderful way to breed independence and confidence. Although this is broad advice, stepping outside of their comfort zone to experience the world will help any student create a greater global perspective.

Participate in community service in your area: Community service has a bevy of benefits. Participating in community service activities once again puts students outside of their comfort zone and helps them work towards independence and understanding. 

Visit new places and foreign countries: Nothing quite jumpstarts a student’s self-advocacy and independence than being in a different city, state, or country where they must adapt to new surroundings, new people and perhaps even a new language.

Attend camps and summer preparatory programs: Although the summer is most definitely a time of well needed relaxation, it is also an especially useful time for students to explore their interests and skills in a focused environment with like-minded individuals. Any sort of camp or summer college preparatory program is always a beneficial choice.

Explore various clubs and extracurricular activities in high school: Although it may seem obvious, having a student engage in clubs, athletics, or extracurricular activities during their upper school career really can help them make great strides towards expanding their social circle and becoming more independent.

Get a job: Any job in high school will expose a student to a new world of expectations, rules, and standards. From Acme to Panera to being a camp counselor, jobs provide valuable experiences that bolster problem-solving and teamwork skills.

The predictors of post-secondary success are no doubt a daunting list. Although academic preparedness is at the vanguard of that list, the social and emotional experiences that lead up to college are just as vital in order to ensure that your student leaves upper school with a wealth of knowledge that will prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead in the post-secondary educational environment.