The Transition to College: 5 Top-Rated College Readiness Courses for 2024

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:

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.

You only fail when you quit.