College Readiness: A Checklist for Adult Learners and Educators

Written by Annie Sferrazza, First Literacy Program Director

While in some sense, it feels like summer has just started, the beginning of August means that the new academic year is just around the corner, and with that, maybe some nerves and excitement.

Whether you’re an adult learner attending college for the first time or an ABE or ESOL educator hoping to better prepare your students who are heading to college, here’s a quick checklist of some tasks students should do before the first day of school:

Attend Orientation!

• If you haven’t already, make sure you sign up to attend an orientation session – this is a great way to learn more about the college and its departments, as well as the requirements of your degree.

Speak with Admissions About Transfer Credits

• If you have college credit from another country, military credit, CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exams, etc., now is a good time to speak with your school about getting credit for the work you’ve already put in.

Reach Out About Extra Support Services (if needed)

• Reach out to the disability services office at the school.
• If you have a physical or learning disability or need extra support services you will need recent medical documentation in order to be provided with these services.
• While professors are obligated to provide these services, you should always advocate for yourself if you’re not receiving them.

Take a Self-guided Tour

• While an organized campus tour is always helpful, heading to school a week or two prior to the start of classes is always a good way to prepare – both mentally and physically – for class; check out the classrooms and, if you have more than one class in a row, see how long it takes to get from one class to another.
• It’s also helpful to check out where the nearest cafe or vending machines are in case you need a quick snack!

Figure Out Where Each Office Is on Campus

• Each office on campus serves a specific purpose, so you’ll want to know where to go and for what. Offices include: Academic advising, Bursar’s office / financial aid, Disability services, IT, Health services, Counseling, Dean of Students, Career advising.

Log Into Your School’s Learning Management System (LMS)

• LMS systems could be Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Google Classroom, etc. Be sure to sign in and get familiar with the setup.
• Many professors/instructors use the LMS to post work, discussions, grades, etc.

Review Emails and/or Syllabi

• If you receive any emails and/or syllabi from your professors prior to the start of classes, make sure to read those thoroughly.
• Your syllabus for each class will provide you with important assignments and due dates.
• If you have any questions about the structure of the class or grading process, make sure to ask.

Think About the Materials You’ll Need

• Review the classes you’re taking and what you’ll need for each – put together a budget with each item and cost
• Purchase or rent the books you’ll need prior to the start of classes.
• If you are in need of a laptop or books that you cannot afford, search on your college’s website for basic needs or student support services.

Find Ways to Get Involved on Campus

• Go to your college’s website and check out the on-campus clubs, groups, and intramural sports. This is a great way to get involved, meet people, and make connections for the future.

Find an In-School Support System

• Start thinking about your in-school support system – you should find at least one person a semester that you trust and can build a relationship with.
• This support system will help later on when you’re applying for jobs and are looking for recommendations and connections.

Preparation Creates Opportunity

For adult learners, starting college can feel overwhelming, and college campuses can often feel like a literal and figurative maze, but preparing as much as possible beforehand can make the transition a bit easier. For educators, providing students with a simple checklist can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and ensure they enter the classroom feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn.

For further information and resources to help adult learners entering college, search for “college readiness” on our Resources page to access “Helping Students Prepare for and Navigate College” slides and printable handouts.