College Skills Program

From High School to College: Ensuring a Smooth Transition

Moving from high school to college marks an exciting time in the life of a young adult. It is also a significant change that requires students to be more independent as they navigate a new environment with different policies and expectations than those of high school.

By working on skills in the spring and summer before students leave for college, they are more likely to know what to expect once they arrive on campus and be prepared for the rigors of college. Our support can continue through the first semester or first year of college.

Educational Advocates - College Skills

We help students position themselves for academic success as first-year students.

This program is ideal for any student who wants to position themselves for academic success during their first year of college. We offer a separate track with an additional session for neurodiverse students and those with ADHD and/or learning differences (see session 7). The program is tailored to the student’s needs and to the college to which they are matriculating.

*Sessions are 60 minutes long.

Student Testimonial

“They (Educational Advocates) will never deny you the help that you need, and they will be there to help you… every step of the way!.”

Sara Ann

Goal: assess student’s strengths, weaknesses, and executive functioning skills to establish goals for the summer to ease college entrance.

  • Participate in the college readiness interview.
  • Discuss goals and how to accomplish them

Goal: Explore and personalize the necessary skills needed in the post-secondary environment.

  • Time management:
    • Academic calendars (paper vs. electronic)
    • Organizations of monthly/weekly/daily agenda
    • Organization of email(s)
    • Staying on top of due dates (assignments, projects, exams)
  • Note-taking skills:
    • Review strategies of note-taking
    • Explore note-taking technology
    • If applicable: Is note-taking accommodation possible and/or necessary?
  • Study Skills:
    • Study smarter not harder – explore effective study strategies
    • Create useful study guides

Goal: Be prepared for what is expected of you in your first semester.

  • Demystify a current syllabus:
  • Overview of course expectations:
    • Attendance policies, grading rubric,  participation requirements, major assignments & due dates, required materials, group projects, midterms / final exam expectations, etc
  • Discuss importance of office hours (professor and / or TA)

Goal: Start out the first year of college with a balanced and manageable schedule.

  • Explore course selections:
    • Understand course load and expectations
    • What a balanced schedule looks like.
    • Explore introductory courses
    • Electives versus core requirements
  • If applicable:
    • Explore introductory courses that focus on transitioning to the college environment
    • Importance of spacing out courses
    • Is underloading (reduced course load) an option?

Goal: Understand the type of resources readily available for students on campus.

  • Tutoring / Academic Coaching Options
  • Counseling resources
  • Health and Wellness
  • Academic Advising
  • Career Center
  • Recreational/Fitness Center
  • Clubs and organizations

Part 1: Parents are welcome to join

Goal: Understand what accommodations the student will likely receive in college and how to access them.

  • Review documentation guidelines and process of soon-to-be-attended university.
  • Discuss reasonable college accommodations based on current evaluation and history of services.

Part 2: Student only

Goal: Understand the language of evaluation to effectively self-advocate.

  • Review language of evaluation – questions, confusions, concerns.
  • Review the interactive process of your college’s disability/accessibility services office.
  • Practice interview skills to express learning needs during the accommodation process.

Goal: Understand the type of resources readily available for students on campus.

  • Tutoring / Academic Coaching Options
  • Counseling resources
  • Health and Wellness
  • Academic Advising
  • Career Center
  • Recreational/Fitness Center
  • Clubs and organizations

Follow-up meetings are offered during the first year of college to help the student navigate their college transition, including academic support, and how to tap into campus resources.

Learn more  by scheduling a introductory call with Ildi Szekely. You can also watch our video on applying to college for students with learning disabilities and ADHD.

Learn More About Our College Skills Program

Discover how our personalized guidance can help you excel academically and reach your goals.