Skip to Content

Lesson 4: Skills for Postsecondary Education

Dear Family,

If your teen is planning to further her education at a university, community college, or technical school after high school, there are skills she will need to learn and retain so she is prepared for a successful academic journey. Preparation begins now. Keep in mind that the rules change after high school and many of the supports your teen has been relying on will no longer be in place, such as her Individualized Education Program. Let’s take a look at some of the skills your teen will need to be successful in obtaining a postsecondary education. As you read the activities, consider what you can do to help prepare your teen to move forward.

Sincerely,
(Teacher Name/Contact information)

Activities

Directions

Complete the activities and return your responses to your teen’s professional to review and respond to.

Activity 1: Skills for Postsecondary Education

Read Preparing for College with Visual Impairment. Answer the following questions:

  1. Is your teen reading and writing at grade level?
  2. Is your teen well versed in using technology to complete research and projects independently and on time?
  3. Is your teen motivated? Does she take the initiative to get tasks done?
  4. How does your teen solve problems?
  5. Describe your teen’s work habits.
  6. Does your teen independently advocate her access needs to her teachers?
  7. Does your teen readily use technology to access printed and electronic information?
  8. Does your teen take her own notes in class?
  9. Does your teen know how to study for a test?
  10. Does your teen participate in study groups?
  11. Does your teen know how to manage her school and home life? If so, list her responsibilities with school and home.
  12. What social activities does your teen participate in? Are those experiences positive?
  13. What does your teen do to relieve stress?
  14. What skills does your teen need to improve on now to be prepared for college or technical school?
  15. What university, community college, or technical school is your teen interested in attending?

Activity 2: Research Entrance Requirements

It is important to spend time researching the entrance requirements to the university, junior college, or technical school your teen is interested in attending. She will need to work towards achieving the expectations required for admission sooner rather than later. Too often teens have goals to attend a postsecondary school but during the end of their junior year of high school, they realize they may not have the grade point average or the SAT/ACT scores required for admission. Use the form below to research the admissions requirements for your teen’s  school(s) of interest, keep in mind important attributes that strengthen an application such as volunteer work, submission of an essay, number of years in a sequential world language class, and the like.

Name of school:         


Minimum GPA required:

SAT score:

ACT score:

Required high school courses:

Volunteer work considered:

Application fee:

Application deadline:

Yearly cost:

How will my teen pay to attend this school?

Financial aid deadline:

For additional information on preparing your teen for transition, the following articles are suggested:

Checklist: A College Planning Timeline
After High School, the Rules Change
Taking the SAT or ACT
How Does a College Degree Impact Your Working Future?

Reflection

From completing this activity, I learned….
I would like more information on….
I have the following questions for my teen’s professional….
I am going to do the following things to prepare my teen for transition….