Define College Readiness

The claims provided below had been strongly proven, analysed, and evaluated by reliable COLLEGE READINESS experts and professionals.

Academic Skills
A student who's well prepared for college possess effective academic skills which includes reading, writing, and critical thinking.
According to an Educational Policy researcher , David T. Conley, argues that students "need to be able to read a textbook and posses the skills necessary to decode the text.. [and] employ the strategies necessary to identify key concept.."(Conley, 2010) He argues effective reading skills as a part of a student's academic
skills is important in college readiness. Reading skills requires comprehending the key concepts of the reading by constantly annotating the text and highlighting to dissect information. Therefore, active reading enforces the student to engage with the text and will greatly contribute in learning the lesson provided the professor in order to pass college classes. Understanding these key concept will then build an argument  and this is important because "in college, faculty want students to identify (or produce) an argument base upon evidence from reliable sources, observation or experimentation." (Johns, 2010) Critical thinking plays a huge role in building an argument because it involves synthesizing information that explains and proves the argument. The similar case is also seen in writing because "college writing requires students to present arguments clearly, substantiate each point.." (Conley, 2010) To accomplish this, "students need to know how to prewrite, how to edit, and how to rewrite a piece before submitting it.." (Conley, 2010) Taking these steps will ensure if the point or argument presented in the paper is clear and concise.

Motivation and Determination
College readiness requires motivation, determination, and willingness. For example, Ann M. Johns, a college readiness expert, argues that "the most important predictors of academic success in college are the student's self-discipline and motivation.."(Johns, 2010) She believes that motivation is an important element for a student to be successful in college because motivation will bring students to the finish line. According to Mr. Raymond Koopsmans, a current Ameri Corps member, he says "... I needed to maintain my motivation and determination.. [and] now,..I look forward to entering medical school at the University of Washington." (Koopsman, 2013) Mr. Koopsman was a first generation college graduate and was completely unaware of what college is in the beginning of his highschool years. With his motivation, he joined AVID that helped him prepare for college and he even says, "Without the skills I learned in AVID, I would not have been able to achieve [my goals]" (Koopsman, 2013). Due to his determination, he found a way to learn about college to achieve his ultimate goal of graduating with a degree in Mathematics and Biochemistry. Another important aspect of college readiness is willingness.  In fact, Mrs. Deanna Mascle, a Morehead State College Readiness Coordinator, stated that "the problem is that [students] lack confidence and their ability to use/adapt their existing knowledge and the motivation to learn and try.." (Mascle, 2013) Students need to adapt to college knowing that it will be different from high school and doing so requires their willingness to accomplish this. With their willingness, student will be more open in accepting and solving the struggle they may face in college.


Independent/Responsibility

Self management, being independent, and being responsible are key elements in college readiness. Self management includes "..time management techniques and habit are accurately estimating how much time it takes to complete all outstanding and anticipated time..using calendars..[and] prioritizing time.." (Conley, 2010) Conley mentioned the prioritizing because in college, students are independent and there is no bell schedule. Prioritizing the tasks and assignments that needed to be done is very important because it allows students to manage their time. Another aspect of college readiness is being responsible most especially with budget financing. "Students need to know how to build and manage their own budgets.." (Pliska, 2013) Pliska, a first generation college graduate faced financial difficulties and learned that managing budget played a huge role in college. This is part of being independent and being responsible paying rents and tuition on time. Furthermore, another college readiness expertise argued that "For academic asistance, [students]  visit faculty during their office hours to ask questions about class requirments, demostrating they they and motivated ans studying.."(Johns, 2010) Since college are not the same as high school teachers who provide full support that students rely on, college students need to be responsible of going and actually meeting their professor is assistance if needed.

COLLEGE READINESS have 3 main categories which are: effective academic skills, motivation/determination, and being independent/ responsible. Students who accomplish these categories will be most prepared and will be successful in college.