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Dr. Pam Weisenberg Hollander will return to the public library of her youth tomorrow, July 22, to lead an interactive workshop for high school students and recent grads on the topic of college readiness. During the 2–3 p.m. presentation, at the South Brunswick Public Library, the college professor will share tips from her new book, Readiness Realities: Struggles and Successes During the Transition to College. Hollander draws from her 20 years of experience teaching first-year college students.
College readiness has become a popular topic as students and parents realize that having a high school diploma does not necessarily mean that a teenager is ready to succeed in a college environment. A great deal of time, energy, money, and anxiety is often spent on preparing for the SAT exam, visiting colleges, and filing applications. Once a student is accepted to his/her college of choice, the realization often hits that successfully leaving home and moving to a brand new environment requires many skills and talents.
Academic readiness is one part of the picture. If students are not academically prepared for college level work, it’s often beneficially for them to take remedial courses at a local community college until they can successfully pass the placement tests to take courses – for credit – at a four-year institution.
College readiness also includes “softer skills” that students may, or may not, have developed during their growing up years. These essential life skills include the ability to: manage time and use it productively, utilize effective study skills, feel comfortable with technology, work independently and in collaboration with classmates, think critically and analytically, be financially responsible, maintain a healthy lifestyle, advocate for oneself, communicate effectively, follow directions, be comfortable with diverse people and open to new ideas, set goals and priorities, maintain a strong sense of self-worth.
Students who successfully develop strong academic and life skills before “leaving the nest” have the best chance of finding their college years to be a positive, enjoyable, and rewarding experience.
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of SAT Smart in Hillsborough that has been offering PSAT, SAT, and ACT preparation courses, as well as private tutoring by IVY-League educated instructors, for more than 20 years. Visit www.SATsmart.com
