Are you ready for college?

For most students, going to college is a given. While high school does provide you with the basic skills, a college education is something that has historically defined the difference between a successful life and career, and an unsuccessful one. Apart from the expectations of a family that wants you to succeed and do well, a college education is also a pre-requisite for any high-growth professional occupation. However, most students forget (or ignore to) ask themselves a very simple question: Are they ready for college?

At first glance it seems superfluous. Of course, you are ready for college. After 12 years of schooling, and after the number of tests (SAT, AP, etc.) you’ve given in the final two years, college is a logical step forward. But there are several other aspects attached to a college education that many of us do not notice as being important until much later. Here, I’ll discuss those issues and try to help you answer the question, “Are you ready for college?”

What does a college education require?

The basic pre-requisites that we all have in mind for a college education are good grades, a strong, balanced academic profile (including social activities and sports, if possible), financial support and of course, a concentrated effort in applying to the colleges of our choice. However, college is much more than that. Going to college – whether you are ready or not – is a major step above high school, both in terms of academic pressures and lifestyle. A college education is usually far tougher than what you may be used to in high school, and is much more demanding than one might expect. High school can prepare you for the stringent demands of maintaining a consistent level of performance, but keeping up with the extra peer pressure and competition can be difficult if you are not mentally prepared for it.

Also, college is traditionally that time of life when you move out of your home and live by yourself, either on campus or in a shared apartment. The added responsibility might be habitual to some, but the sudden shift away can take some getting used to. You may also be working part-time in order to pay for your own expenses or just to pay the rent. The satisfaction of earning your own keep is a powerful motivational factor, and may just prompt you into being more responsible.

Are you ready for college?

A college life is all about balancing your personal life (which includes having a job, part-time or otherwise) with your academic life. While living away from your family can give you a sense of sudden independence, it is usually tempered with the realization that this part of your life is merely preparation for a professional career.

In the end, this was not intended to stress you, but to help you prepare for college by ensuring that you are aware of the not-so-obvious requirements of a college education. So, before you bury yourself in applications and college essays, ask yourself: Are you ready for college?