Victoria Thompson, M.S. is an education strategist and educational technologist. With experience as a former K-12 educator, instructional coach, and member of school district leadership in South Carolina and Washington State, she works alongside school leadership and technology professionals to bring viable strategy and business solutions to the forefront. In 2023 she won the title of one of the Top 10 Most Visionary Leaders in Education by CIO Look Magazine. Additionally, she was recently awarded the title of one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers in 2021 by EdTech Magazine and one of the ISTE Top 20 to Watch in 2023. She lives in Winter Garden, FL with her wife, Kourtney, and their dog, Ren.
If students opt to go the higher education route, the transition from K-12 is a significant milestone in a student’s educational journey. It is an exciting time where students embark on academic exploration, personal discovery, and career preparation. However, depending on the student, this transition may come with challenges–I speak with countless professors and academic professionals who are working alongside students that struggle with academics, study skills, and maintaining attention to tasks, especially after 2020. College faculty play a crucial role in bridging these gaps and ensuring that students are well-prepared for college-level coursework, as well as how you can support these students.
How can you get started with supporting these students, and how can you help facilitate this transition? Here are strategies that faculty can employ to support students during this critical time.
Understanding Where Students Are
The very first step in addressing how to help students is understanding where gaps may exist. This may be dependent on your subject area or area of focus (i.e. whether you teach an entry-level course or a higher-level course), but students entering college may have varying levels of preparedness due to differences in K-12 education quality and individual learning experiences. These gaps can manifest in several areas, including:
- Fundamental Skills: Students may lack proficiency in fundamental skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, which are essential for success in even entry-level college courses.
- Study Habits: Effective study habits and time management skills can sometimes be underdeveloped in high school students, making it challenging for them to cope with the increased demands of college.
- Critical Thinking: College courses often require higher-order thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, which are skills that take time to cultivate. Advanced coursework in high school such as honors and advanced placement classes may prepare students for higher-order tasks and thinking, but at times these skills may be underdeveloped as well.
7 Strategies for Bridging the Gaps
- Diagnostic Assessments
Implementing diagnostic assessments at the beginning of the academic term can help faculty identify students’ strengths and also areas where they may need more support. These assessments can be used to tailor instruction and provide targeted support to students who need it most. For example, a math diagnostic test can reveal specific areas where a student may need remediation, allowing faculty to address these gaps early on.
- Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental instruction, such as tutoring sessions, study groups, and workshops, can provide additional support to students struggling with specific subjects. These sessions can often be found on campus or online. Faculty can collaborate with academic support centers to offer these resources, ensuring that students have access to the help they need outside of regular class hours.
- Integrating Study Skills into the Curriculum
Incorporating study skills training into the curriculum can help students develop effective learning strategies. Faculty can dedicate time to teaching note-taking techniques, time management, and test preparation strategies that may be helpful for students to grasp the content and become successful in the coursework. By embedding these skills into course content, students can gradually build the habits necessary for academic success.
- Bridging Programs
While the offerings of this may vary, bridging programs, such as summer bridge programs or first-year experience courses, can help ease the transition from high school to college. These programs often focus on academic preparation, orientation to college life, and building a sense of community among incoming students. Faculty involvement in these programs can provide students with early exposure to college-level expectations and support networks. Try to participate if you can.
- Collaborative Learning
Encouraging collaborative learning through group projects and peer-to-peer interactions can help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Faculty can design assignments that require students to work together, fostering a sense of accountability and teamwork. Collaborative learning also allows students to learn from their peers and gain different perspectives on course material.
- Faculty Mentorship
Faculty mentorship can play a significant role in supporting students’ academic and personal development. This doesn’t mean that you have to be every student’s mentor, but rather establishing a mentoring relationship with students that might have similar interests or are interested in a similar career pathway. By establishing mentoring relationships, faculty can provide guidance, encouragement, and resources to help students navigate the challenges of college life. Mentorship can also help students set academic and career goals, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation. I still remember my college mentors, and still talk to many of them to this day! They have been instrumental in my professional growth.
- Continuous Feedback
Last but certainly not least, providing continuous and constructive feedback is essential for helping students improve their performance. Faculty should offer regular feedback on assignments, exams, and class participation, highlighting areas of strength and areas needing improvement. Timely feedback allows students to make necessary adjustments and seek additional help if needed.
Bridging the academic gaps between the K-12. By employing these strategies, faculty can help students transition smoothly into higher education and achieve their academic goals.