Most Students Not Ready

ACT, Inc. (American College Training) reported that college readiness levels were 22 percent in 2008. This is startling and the numbers are even worse for low-income and underserved students.
Most high school graduates are not prepared to succeed in college and in the workforce. My work experience gives me a unique perspective about the similarities between skills needed for college and work success. Currently, I am a part-time college professor of college success strategy and career development courses. For many years I worked as a job placement specialist and also owned an executive search and recruiting business.

Skills needed:
Reading comprehension
Problem solving
Reasoning and critical thinking
Writing
Note-taking
Time management
Goal setting
Knowing your learning style
Self-awareness
Learning how to learn

Being successful in college will be more important now because of increased competition for jobs. Employers will be looking more closely at college majors, grades, internships, volunteer work, and related work experience. Students who prepare for high demand jobs and who excel in college will have the best job opportunities.

tips that can increase your learning:
Anticipate test questions. Create and take practice quizzes before you take the actual test.
Write brief summaries in the margin of the text in your own words.
Study for 30-45 minutes at a time followed by short breaks.
Pause after reading a section and ask yourself questions about what the author is saying.
Teach what you are learning to others. It reinforces what you are learning and makes it clearer.
Discover and identify your preferred learning style and types of intelligence.