Preparing Students for Higher Education

The education system comprises of various levels that one has to go through in succeeding the academic life. The transition from one level to another is crucial as it facilitates smooth continuation and reconnection of the curriculum. Higher education is essential in today’s world for all the students as it plays roles in securing jobs, innovation, and entrepreneurship. College degrees are every high school graduate’s dream although most nations lack the mechanisms of preparing these students to the college curriculum. It becomes a challenge for many students to transit smoothly and reconnect the gap in high school and college thus creating ineffective college life among students. The education system has various roles in preparing students for a college education through the provision of various essential tools.

First, the students should be thoroughly tested in high school before they graduate as continuous testing translates to good retention of information that would be useful later in higher levels of education. Moreover, the system has to be structured in a way that creates a gap year between high school level and higher educational attainment. The gap would enable the students to gain critical knowledge, understanding and life skills essential in college. As being successful in a college education is important for every student, it follows that the preparation offered at an early stage is also critical and can never be neglected (Cohen and Ward, N.pag). Therefore, Students need to be thoroughly tested and provided with a gap year after completion of high school.

It is argued that frequent testing of students in high school prepares them for college curriculum. The technique of screening students many times helps them retain information than merely studying. Studies indicate that those students who are frequently tested excel more than those who only study without being tested. It helps one maintain the information for an extended period and better. This study habit is considered helpful, and it would undoubtedly assist them to succeed in college. The practice not only benefits them in college but also in future endeavors as information retained for an extended period would be utilized in different fields of specialization.

A comparison of student’s performance in tests and what they know about a particular topic indicates disparities in relations thus making this practice in unbeneficial. The ability to use knowledge in a particular subject in actual life is an indicator of success than the tests done in school. However, since the education system is structured in a way that the success factor is measured through exams, the students have no option rather than perfecting in the tests as they are crucial in the grade levels. The grade levels are a determinant for admission in college level hence requiring each student to perform better in these tests. Frequent conduct of tests familiarizes students with the exams and helps them combat the anxiety associated with poor performance (“Preparing Students For College | Education Professionals – The College Board” N.p). When one does more tests, the significant effect on the final grade is less as compared to just one test. The tests would also be practiced in college level hence it is more important for them to learn this practice at an early stage.

Moreover, the school system should provide students with a gap year before joining college and after completion of high school. The gap year is a period of break from learning between high school and college level. Most students and parents hold that it is more important to join college institutions immediately than taking a gap year. Also, they are concerned that the gap year or time off would make it difficult for students to return to school. It may be caused by deviation of interests and norms from the academic life. However, studies indicate that ninety percent of all students who take time off school return to school. The gap year, therefore, has low levels of risks of a return to school. Moreover, these students were also in better positions to choose their area of study better than those who joined immediately after high school completion. The gap year enables one to evaluate different fields of study thus equipping one with essential knowledge for the right decision.

Also, the gap year is associated with more benefits to one’s life. The time off allows one to regroup, refresh their minds and reenergize after many years of excellent study. This period grants students opportunity for them to make adult decisions crucial in their lives. Also, a student’s personality improves and one goes back to school with a better attitude, more mature and focused. Also, students return to school from their will hence with the decision that studying is the right thing for their life. This period also enables one improve his financial stability as many students work part or full time during the gap and the amount earned can be used to pay for college fee. The time off is, therefore, crucial since the student learns world knowledge, skills and makes the right decision in college level (Eve N.pag).
However, the gap year does not benefit all the students as argued in this paper. Some Students could be ready to join college level and completely prepared for the new phase in academics. The gap year would, therefore, result in wastage of time especially when one fails to engage in meaningful activities. It could be avoided by having a better plan for the time off and realistic ideas useful for future life. Also, students should engage in meaningful activities with significant benefits of preparation. Taking a gap year after completion of high school may pose challenges for one from returning to school. There is a possibility of unlikeness to come back to school. However, a bigger proportion of students returns to school as compared to the one who fails.

There are more benefits of taking a gap year than the risks associated. The experience in the gap year equips one with skills and world knowledge. As one matures, the academic vigor is also renewed. The problem of unpreparedness among students joining college is an issue in the current world. Studies show that many schools lack a system of preparing their students for the higher levels education. The move to have this initiative should be supported by all stakeholders and the affected parties including all levels of institutions in the school system (“Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year” N.p).

Moreover, the organization structure should agree upon on standard methods and tools to prepare the students. As suggested in this paper, the high school has to modify their system to include thorough testing of students. The tests would be beneficial in their life success and would also equip them with the right skills for college tests. Frequent tests on students combat test anxiety thus enabling them to perform better in tests. The study habits gained taught in high school and early years will as well be useful in college education level, and students will be able to benefit more. Secondly, there should be a one-year gap between the high school level and college level. The time off should be used by students in working, traveling or find their core interests in life. The period will be accompanied by a well-modified plan of action beneficial to the students. The gap will help students in reenergizing and prepare mentally for college. Also, students will be able to make more logical decisions on the right field to study in college, gain more skills, knowledge and a structure of their future life plans (“Preparation For Higher Education | Higher Education Academy” N.pag).

Currently, higher education is more important in academic life for all the students. Students are passionate about joining college and graduating with better college degrees and in the right field. A successful completion of college education translates to success in future endeavors. It is, therefore, the responsibility of all the stakeholders to prepare students in transiting from high school level of education to higher levels. This is an issue which is important in academic life and has to be addressed. Better preparation, therefore, has to be in place as they a significant success factors. Having numerous tests in high school and time off between the levels will help in preparing students better in this phase of education. These techniques will ultimately hedge against the risk of wasting time and money in schooling areas of less interest.

Works Cited

Cohen, Michael and David Ward. “A Coordinated Effort To Prepare Students For College.”.Eric.ed.gov. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
Eve, Martin. “Secondary Schools Are Not Adequately Preparing Students For Higher Education.” The Guardian. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
“Preparation For Higher Education | Higher Education Academy.” Heacademy.ac.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
“Preparing Students For College – College Guidance | Education Professionals – The College Board.” Professionals.collegeboard.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
“Pros And Cons Of Taking A Gap Year.” Acupuncturestlouis.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.