College Readiness Is More Than Getting Accepted

A student can be academically qualified for college and still be unprepared for college life. Before graduation, practice the skills professors assume students will eventually manage: reading a syllabus, checking email, using a calendar, breaking a long assignment into steps, asking for help, attending office hours, and beginning work before panic becomes the deadline strategy.

Have high school students run a weekly "college meeting" with themselves. They should review every class, upcoming deadline, missing assignment, test, appointment, and question they need to ask.

For students with ADHD or learning disabilities, this routine is especially important because college provides less daily prompting. Disability accommodations can help, but accommodations do not replace self-advocacy.

The encouraging truth is that executive-function skills can be taught. A disorganized teenager does not have to become a disorganized college student. Practice the systems while the safety net is still close.

Quick takeaway: The encouraging truth is that executive-function skills can be taught. A disorganized teenager does not have to become a disorganized college student. Practice the systems while the safety net is still close.