A lot of students believe that applying for college is a one-time event, like a graduation party or a dental procedure.
But here’s the thing: applying for college is a process – a long, complicated, and often frustrating process. And if your teen or young adult is not ready for it, they’ll be drowning in stress, missed deadlines, and bad decisions.
There are many different factors that go into college readiness, knowing your neurodivergent learner is ready to take those steps involves carefully exploring the executive functioning skills that contribute to college readiness and college success.
In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the college application timeline, the executive functioning skills necessary for success, and how to determine college application readiness.
What is “College Readiness”?
Let’s start with the basics: what exactly is “college readiness”? Simply put, it refers to a student’s ability to succeed in postsecondary education.
College readiness includes both academic preparedness (such as their knowledge and skills in core subjects like math, reading, and writing), as well as social and emotional preparedness (such as their ability to manage their time, interact effectively with peers and professors, and handle the stresses of college life).
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula of college readiness, as different colleges and universities have different expectations and criteria for their students. However, most educators and experts agree that a truly college-ready student should have some foundational executive functioning skills in place, as well as established interventions and supports for areas where a student might struggle.
Why is college readiness important?
Well, for starters, college is expensive.
Whether you’re paying out-of-pocket or taking out student loans, investing in a college education is a huge financial commitment. And if your teen or young adult is not truly ready for college-level work, they may be set up for failure. That can include wasting both time and money by having to take remedial courses or even dropping out altogether.
But college readiness isn’t just about avoiding financial pitfalls. It’s also about setting your child up for success toward their other career goals. By being college-ready, you’re helping your teen or young adult gain the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of their choosing.
So how can you or your child ensure that you’re college-ready?
Academic preparedness is just one piece of the puzzle. You also need to work on your social and emotional skills, such as time management, communication, and stress management. This may mean getting involved in extracurricular activities that teach these skills, like volunteering or leadership positions in clubs or sports teams.
Finally, it’s important to remember that being college ready isn’t just about checking off a list of boxes. It’s about having a growth mindset, being willing to learn and adapt to new challenges, and believing in your ability to succeed.
After all, college is just the beginning of your life journey – and by being truly college ready, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of success and fulfillment.
What Factors Should Be Used to Indicate Readiness for College?
College is an exciting time for many students. It offers an opportunity for personal growth and academic development, but it also comes with its own set of challenges.
While it is possible for students to succeed in college without the perfect preparation, there are key factors that can indicate readiness for college.
Academic Preparation
One of the most important factors that indicate readiness for college is academic preparation. Students who have a strong academic background are more likely to succeed in college courses. Students who have taken advanced placement (AP) or dual-enrollment courses in high school have already had exposure to college-level work, which can help them transition more smoothly into college.
If your student or child has some academic skills but may identify areas that need improvement, college readiness may involve enrolling in extra classes, tutoring sessions, or simply practicing skills outside of regular homework.
Time Management Skills
Another important factor in college success is time management skills. College students must juggle coursework, assignments, extracurricular activities, and often part-time jobs or internships.
Students who have experience managing their time effectively or who have time management support in place are more likely to succeed in college. Finding opportunities for your neurodivergent student to develop these skills can mean enrolling in clubs or sports teams, participating in time-intensive hobbies, or taking on a part-time job.
Self-Motivation and Responsibility
Motivation and self-monitoring success are also key components that contribute to college success.
In college, students are expected to take ownership of their coursework and seek out resources when needed. Students who have had experience setting goals and taking initiative to get help when needed are more likely to be successful in the independent environment of college.
Participating in extracurricular activities, sports, or community service can help students develop these skills, and practice motivation, and responsibility for getting help when they need it.
Social and Emotional Preparation
Finally, it is important for students to be socially and emotionally prepared for college. This means having tools and strategies in place to better handle stress and anxiety, strategies to build positive relationships, and skills to navigate tricky social situations.
How Does Executive Function Impact College Applications?
College applications can be a daunting task for many students. With a lot of pressure to not only meet academic requirements but also to stand out and make a good impression, it can be challenging to navigate the process.
For individuals who may struggle with executive functioning skills like planning, organization, and attentional control, there may be additional challenges during the application process that need to be carefully considered.
Here are some of the ways that EF skills can show up in the college application process:
Working Memory
Working memory is a fundamental aspect of executive functioning that allows individuals to hold, manipulate, and apply information to new tasks. In the college application process, a student’s working memory can impact how well they can recall and synthesize information from other parts of their academic and work life into the new tasks ahead.
If your teen our young adult struggles with working memory, they may need additional visuals, prompts, or supports to help gather and organize all the relevant information needed in the application process.
Impulse Control
Impulse control is an executive functioning skill that helps individuals inhibit or pause their thoughts or actions. It enables individuals to consider different perspectives and make better decisions, which are critical qualities for success in college. College applicants with well-developed impulse and attentional control are better able to resist distractions and maintain focus while studying, completing assignments, and preparing for exams. Students who need supports in these areas can benefit from consistent study routines, visual timers, and having a trusted friend or caregiver who can help navigate triggers for impulsive decision-making.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to adjust one’s thinking when new situations arise and exhibit creativity in decision-making processes. College applications often require applicants to showcase their unique qualities and how they have overcome challenging experiences.
Individuals with strong cognitive flexibility can demonstrate their resilience and ability to adapt to change, which can make their application more impressive. Students who struggle with cognitive flexibility may need supports and to practice ways to respond to questions about their challenges, struggles, or weaknesses.
College Application Tips For Those Who Struggle With Executive Function Skills
The process of applying to college can be a daunting task for all students and caregivers. As you support your neurodivergent teen or young adult, these tips might help.
Set SMART Goals
First and foremost, spend some time to get on the same page as your child about what their goals and motivations are for applying to college. You and your child may not have the same expectations for what they’d like the college experience to be, or the same definitions of what success looks like when applying to college.
Take some time to set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound goals before delving too deeply into the college application process.
For more on SMART goal planning, try our free .pdf downloadable goal planning exercise.
Get Organized
One of the first steps to take when applying to college is to get organized. This means creating a system that works for you and your child to keep track of appointments, applications, deadlines and contact information.
Create a chart for all the colleges your child is interested in. This chart should include deadlines, requirements such as SAT and ACT, application fees, etc. and can be an easy way to keep track of everything and avoid missing any important deadlines.
Plan and Prioritize
Once you have the chart in place, take the time to plan and prioritize. Help your learner break down the tasks for applying into smaller ones and create a schedule that’s realistic with all the other demands on their time.
If you’ve identified requirements or executive functioning skills that may need a boost prior to applying to schools, make a plan and some goals around meeting those pre-requisite skills first.
Reflect and Evaluate
As you work through the plan, take the time to help your child reflect on progress and evaluate the results of their work. Reflecting on progress will help them identify what worked and what didn’t, allowing them to better make adjustments to the plan in motion.
This is also good practice for the self-reflection skills that they’ll need once enrolled and taking classes.
Visit the School and Explore Resources
Once you have the list of colleges, take the time to visit them if you can. This is an excellent opportunity for you and your child to get a sense of the campus environment, faculty, staff, and students. Meet with the relevant groups or student leaders for clubs and activities that promote success for neurodivergent learners on campus. Knowing what resources are available can help your child feel more confident and supported as they navigate college life, and can help ease some of your worries as a caregiver.
Schedule Meetings With Support Services
If you’re struggling with EF skills, don’t be afraid to seek help. Colleges and universities have support services in place to help students who struggle with these skills.
Make a plan to schedule a meeting with a disability services coordinator or academic support services team member during your campus visit. They can help your student with accommodations, provide tutoring or academic coaching, and connect your teen with other students who might need similar executive functioning supports.
Consider an Executive Function Coach
Speaking of getting help, during the college application time, it may be a good time to work with an executive function coach. An EF coach can help your teen or young adult develop strategies to manage time, prioritize tasks, and stay organized during the college application process, or can help work on some areas of need when it comes to readiness.
Final Thoughts
Timing is crucial, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. You also need to research, know your student, and be organized and proactive. Remember, college applications are an opportunity to showcase the best version of your student and find a college that fits their dreams and goals.
Even if you identify areas where your learner may be struggling with executive functioning skills, remember that there are steps and interventions that can and will support their success.
TL;DR – (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Applying to college is a complex, ongoing process that requires careful preparation. It involves ensuring students are ready academically, socially, and emotionally to handle the challenges of college. Key aspects of college readiness include strong academic foundations, effective time management skills, self-motivation, and good social and emotional health.
For neurodivergent learners, particular attention must be given to executive functioning skills such as impulse control, flexibility, and working memory, which are crucial for navigating the college application process and the subsequent demands of college life.
Parents and students should work together to set clear, achievable goals (using tools like SMART goal planning), organize application tasks, and utilize available resources, including visiting colleges and possibly working with an executive functioning coach, to ensure a smooth transition to and success in college.
Further Reading
- Rick Bryck, Ph.D. and Adam Lalor, Ph.D.:Executive Function Skills: The Keys to College Transition
- University of Washington: Access to the Future: Preparing College Students With Disabilities for Careers
- Amy Sippl: Executive Functioning Skills 101: Working Memory
- Amy Sippl: 7 Cognitive Flexibility Strategies To Support Your Adolescent
- Amy Sippl: Executive Functioning 101: All About Impulse Control