You start with a strong foundation when you want to build a structure that’ll last well into the future. When you want to have success in college, you start with solid decisions and proven habits.
Here are 5 proven ways to build a foundation for college success.
College advisors will tell you that college fit is key to how well you do in college. Your first step in going to college is to make enough college visits that your choice is compatible with your academic, social, and career goals. Haven’t done that yet? Make that your college prep discussion #1.
You’ll also want to think big – go for a career that’s a bit of a stretch. We’re talking about a career that could go on for decades. Remember, you’ll have many types of mentors to help you get there.
For example, healthcare and health science careers are expanding rapidly, so if you’re excited about working in that field, learn if you prefer people-focused roles or ones that emphasize technology. Make sure your vision of college success includes universities offering degree programs that align with what employers want.
Health science occupations and healthcare/medical career options offer immense possibilities, and these occupations are projected to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030.
It’s easy to fall in love with accumulating hard skills like mastering an impressive list of software. Many college courses cover the basics of doing a job…not all of them teach you how to work with others who may have different ways of thinking through a situation.
That’s why, once you’re in the workforce, you’ll want to be fluent in soft skills, which are increasingly being integrated into today’s college coursework. (Or, at least, they should be. This is a good question to ask when you’re doing your college visits!)
One study predicts that at least 70% of all jobs will rely on soft skills by 2030. Here’s a partial list of soft skills you’ll need to succeed in college. Be able to do these skills well, and you’ll be doing your part to stand out to prospective employers:
Realize, too, that your opinion of yourself is not always accurate. That’s why your plans for going to college should include continuously asking instructors and mentors for feedback about your skills and finding out which aspects of “you” to improve.
Like it or not, one of the most significant factors in college achievement is time management. You’ll face all kinds of options. Some will be more fun; some not-so-fun. Using your time wisely is a cornerstone of college success:
Remember, going to college is an investment in your future. To get the most from that investment of time and money, you’ll want to combine your best efforts with behaviors that support achievement, not detract from it.
Before you get on-campus, get used to the idea that college-level expectations are much higher than high school. Taking extensive in-class notes, reviewing the class syllabus, doing daily readings, and comprehensive chapter reviews with classmates are often critical to academic success.
Make sure you fully understand the instructor’s expectations for every class you plan to take. You don’t want to be preparing for a multiple-choice test when you should be ready to write essay-based answers that cover the how and why.
In high school, you might have done OK on your own. For college success, you’ll want to take advantage of as many of the student support services as possible.
Every university is different, so ask about the range of “help” services you have access to. Some of the services and resources that make going to college a more satisfying experience include:
The bottom line is this: you want to do more than survive in college – you want to thrive in it. Your college degree can be the launch pad for a career that fulfills your wildest dreams.
To increase your likelihood of college success, check out this “tips to success” article.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university located in the Kansas City area suburb of Overland Park, Kansas.
Where can you go from here? About anywhere…directly to health sciences-based occupations, such as radiologic technologists, exercise scientists, biologists, or occupational therapy assistants (OTAs).
Are you thinking about becoming a healthcare professional? You should consider becoming a doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors seek to optimize health through good nutrition, constructive exercise, stress management, posture modifications, and proper spinal and extremity joint biomechanics. A doctor of chiropractic is your low-back and neck pain specialist.
Today’s medical community uses referrals to specialists to deliver better care and help drive down costs through earlier, more accurate diagnoses.
CUKC admissions advisers are ready to answer your questions and help you to navigate your options successfully.
Request more information today about CUKC degree programs, and prep yourself for college success by knowing all you can about financial aid options and opportunities. We have a free eBook for that: Your Guide to Navigating College Financial Aid.
