With over 70% of college students reporting feeling unprepared for college, it's clear that proper preparation is crucial for academic and personal success. Recent studies show that 25% of college freshmen drop out after their first year, and only 62% of students who start a bachelor's degree program graduate within six years. These statistics underscore the importance of comprehensive college preparation. Here are five courses designed to address various aspects of college readiness. This is a post about the content and not who is better or the best within these top five; that varies depending on your needs. So they are not listed in order of preference; we picked the top 5 best college prep courses we could find and have summarized them below.
1. Killing it in College by Tatum Hutton and Petr Polack
Cost: $1,499
Format: Virtual/ Live: no recordings
This comprehensive course, created by Harvard graduates Tatum Hutton and Petr Placek, stands out as the most all-encompassing option. It's designed to cover everything students need to succeed in college, whether they're just starting or have struggled in previous years. The course addresses:
Academic strategies and study skills
Time management and productivity
Time blocking and software customized for college students
Emotional resilience and mental health
Self advocacy and emotional self-regulation
Social integration and networking
Financial management
Career preparation and internship strategies
Campus resource utilization
Personal growth and identity development
Unlike other courses that focus on specific aspects of college life, "Killing it in College" provides a thorough, comprehensive approach to ensure students are prepared for all facets of the college experience. The addition of a groundbreaking software application, Shovel, created by Petr, is included with the course ($237 value) which makes it stand out for offering tangible solutions in addition to the key tips, tricks, and advice you get from the course itself.
Pros:
Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of college success including emotional, social, financial, and academic skills to thrive in college
Suitable for both new and struggling college students
Created by experienced Harvard graduates with 3 decades of combined experience in psychology, education, college admissions, and educational software
Comes with software subscription for entire year that helps students implement what they learn in the course
Cons:
Higher price point
Limited number of students (small group)
Not recorded: it is a live event and students are expected to participate
It is new- so while up-to-date, there are no testimonials to support
2. Shift Happens  by Andrea and Lee Vallely
Cost: $1,997
Format: Recordings and bi-weekly group sessions
"Shift Happens" focuses primarily on the emotional and social aspects of the college transition, addressing key concerns of today's teens. This course concentrates on:
Developing emotional resilience
Building social skills and relationships
Managing stress and anxiety
Personal identity development
Adapting to change
While this course offers deep insights into emotional and social preparedness, it doesn't provide extensive coverage of academic strategies or practical college skills. However, the coverage on communication, emotion regulation, dealing with parents, and social school challenges make this an incredible resource- especially for younger teens.
Pros:
In-depth focus on emotional and social preparedness
Addresses top emotional, social, and family conflicts many teens face
Offers tools for parents and students to improve communication and home life
Great feedback from participants and their parents
Cons:
Limited coverage of academic and practical skills
Higher price point
Not focused on college but more so on teens overall: younger kids (only a con in reference to the focus of this blog post)
3. Ready, Set, Think! by Louis Newman
Cost: $497
Format: Virtual
Louis E. Newman's course is heavily focused on the academic preparation and critical thinking skills he covers in his book that has the same title. It covers:
Analytical reading and writing
Critical thinking and argumentation
Research methodologies
Academic discourse and communication
While excellent for academic preparation, this course doesn't really address the emotional and social concerns that most students face today. However, not everyone needs or wants the emotional and social aspects, and Louis is a dynamic speaker with a wealth of experience. This, combined with his expertise and educational experience, makes his course and book excellent resources for any college student.
Pros:
Strong focus on academic skills
Prepares students for college-level intellectual challenges
Cons:
Limited coverage of emotional and social aspects of college life
4. Best First Year by Harlan Cohen
Cost: $479.64
Format: Recordings and weekly Zoom calls
Harlan Cohen's course offers a balanced approach to college preparation, though not as comprehensive as "Killing it in College." It covers:
Basic academic strategies
For students and parents
Managing homesickness
Campus involvement
This course provides a good overview but may not delve as deeply into each area as more specialized or comprehensive courses. It also is aimed at students in environments that are less competitive than the authors of the first course, Killing it in College, based on their backgrounds and course content.
Pros:
Balanced approach to college preparation
More affordable
For students and parents (a pro/con depending on the needs of the student)
Great feedback from students and parents
Excellent books as a resource (even without the course) such as The Naked Roomate
Cons:
May not provide as much depth in any one area
May not provide skills for those facing the competitive nature of elite schools
May not provide skills for students already in college that are struggling
For students and parents (a pro/con depending on the needs of the student)
5. Beyond High School by Strategies for Learning
Cost: $1,140 for a 2-week-long course
Format: In-person workshops (Oakland only)
This intensive in-person course offers hands-on experience in a college-like setting. It covers:
College-level study skills
Time management
Introductory college-style lectures and assignments
Major and career exploration
The in-person format provides immediate feedback and real-time practice but is limited in its coverage of emotional and social aspects and is unavailable to most students because of it's on-site format.
Pros:
Immersive, hands-on experience
Immediate feedback and interaction
Excellent testimonials from prior participants
Cons:
Requires physical presence in Oakland
Less comprehensive than other online options
Summary:
Course Name | Creator(s) | Main Focus | Cost | Format | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tatum Hutton & Petr Placek | Comprehensive college success | $1,499 | Live: online and interactive | Comprehensive, experienced creators | Higher price | |
Andrea and Lee Vallely | Emotional and social preparation | $1,997 | Recorded modules, and group sessions | In-depth emotional/social focus | Higher price, limited academic coverage | |
Louis Newman | Academic and critical thinking | $497 | Recorded | Strong academic focus | Limited emotional/social coverage | |
Harlan Cohen | Balanced college preparation | $479.64 | Recorded sessions and weekly Zoom calls | Balanced approach, affordable | May lack depth | |
Strategies for Learning | Immersive college prep | $1,140 | In-person workshops (Oakland only) | Hands-on experience | Requires physical presence |
Given that 40% of college students feel unprepared for the academic challenges of higher education, and 30% struggle with time management, investing in comprehensive preparation can significantly impact college success. The "Killing it in College" course by Tatum Hutton and Petr Polack stands out as the most thorough option, addressing all aspects of college life that students need to master for success. If you do not need such a comprehensive program, then all of the others provide quality, experienced experts who are clearly passionate about helping students thrive.
Taking a course to transition to college is a new thing; otherwise we could have done the top ten (there were not 10 on this level). Perhaps it is time to change that; every college student can benefit from a transition course, it is just a matter of finding the best one for her/him/them. Spending 1-2K to prepare yourself or your child for 4-year private college that averages 235K (for four years) is a wise investment and maybe even a form of "insurance."
Consider your individual needs, strengths, and areas for improvement when choosing a course, and remember that proper preparation can greatly increase your chances of not just graduating, but actually thriving. Knowing the data puts the cost into perspective. Be sure to ask about the cancellation and refund policy (or read the fine print) if you do sign up for any courses.
Graduating in 4 years IS possible.
Thriving in college IS attainable.
Like most things in life, it takes knowledge and action to reach your goals.
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