Here are some suggestions that will help you increase your success in college and careers organized by the research-based Four Keys to College and Career Readiness model. Refer to these as you develop your Personal Action Plan on the next page.
Key Cognitive Strategies Readiness (your thinking skills)
Slow down and pay attention to details such as proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Review test answers for obvious errors.
Know how to recognize and cite credible sources.
Learn how to break large, complex problems or assignments down into smaller parts and pieces you can then complete individually.
Develop a plan or strategy first when called upon to investigate a problem or issue.
Evaluate whether you have sufficient information and/or sources before you begin writing up your findings or conclusions.
Use methods for recording data such as logs, sketches, graphs, tables, photos, and videos.
Key Content Knowledge Readiness (content to master and attitudes toward learning content)
Work on your writing skills, particularly your ability to write 3-5 page papers that are well reasoned and supported by evidence.
Adopt an effort-based mindset when approaching challenging coursework. Know that what matters most is how hard you try and how effectively you try, not how naturally gifted you are in a subject.
Learn how to seek help effectively and don’t think of asking for help as a something to be avoided.
Think about your motivation to do well in school. The more motivated you are, the greater the likelihood you will do well.
Get in the habit for looking at ways you can apply what you learn in one subject area to other subject areas.
After a test, review why you got any answers wrong and see if you can come up with a strategy not to make the same kind of mistakes on the next test.
Learn how to identify the "big ideas" in a subject area and use that understanding to make sense of more detailed information.
Key Learning Skills Readiness (strategies to learn effectively)
Build self-management skills such as personal organization and time management. Developing good self-management habits and routines is fundamental to success in college and the workplace.
Work to add or strengthen study skills, information retention strategies (how to remember material), and test-taking techniques.
Use the adult resources available to you in the school such as counselors, tutors, study groups, and teacher office hours.
Read assignments carefully before beginning to make sure you know what's expected of you and how to get a good grade on the assignment.
Adopt a method of note-taking that works for you and captures key ideas and factual information but is not overwhelmingly complicated.
Work on your collaboration skills and become an even better team member on group assignments.
Develop goals for each class for the short term (next test), medium term (course grade), longer term (overall GPA)
Key Transition Readiness (knowledge to apply to college/choose a career)
Be as clear as you can on why you’re interested in going to college or pursuing a particular career.
Consider which college majors may be of most interest to you and whether you're preparing for them.
Make sure you know all the requirements you need to graduate on time and be eligible for admission to a state university.
Learn how to identify scholarship opportunities and what kind of information is required to apply for scholarships.
Fill out a practice college application using the Common Application form.
Familiarize yourself with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Visit the O*NET site to learn more about career interests and possible careers.