I thought I was ready for college life. After all, I was in the top of my high school graduating class, involved in several extra curricular activities, and had good relationships with my teachers. But, my first month at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) was shocking -- the level and amount of coursework, the cumulative exams -- it was tougher than I ever anticipated. Let's just say that I had to repeat a class or two just to receive an acceptable grade. Yikes.

And I wasn't alone. Experts say that even the best students struggle academically with the transition to college. In fact, the developers of the ACT report that less than one in four students met the standards for college-readiness in all the subjects included in their test -- math, science, English, and reading comprehension.So what can you do to better prepare for college coursework? Start here ...

Be proactive.
Accept the fact that merely meeting today's high school graduation requirements won't cut it. "Colleges need to communicate more with high schools," says Michael Kirst, Stanford University (Stanford, CA) professor and director of The Bridge Project, a research group that focuses on strengthening the transition from high school to college. Clear communication between the two levels doesn't exist, which makes it difficult for students to know what to expect, he adds. Overcome this by taking charge of your own schooling -- such as by talking to a college academic adviser.

Choose courses wisely.
In math, anything as or more challenging than Algebra II will help prepare you for college coursework, says Kirst. For English, he suggests going beyond literature to read complex content (think scientific material), plus concentrating on analytical writing.

Heather Swann, a 2002 graduate of Gainesville College (Gainesville, GA), recommends taking plenty of math and English classes. "In my college English classes, the professors expected us to know the basic rules of grammar," she says. But, like many students who last took grammar years ago, she struggled with it.

Develop your critical thinking skills.
The biggest challenge for anyone coming from high school is the ability to look at a concept from a different angle and devise something new, says Albert Matheny, director of the academic advising center at the University of Florida. While high school success is based upon memorization, college profs want to ensure that students understand what they're learning, he adds. "Memorization won't help in that sort of conceptual, critical challenge," Matheny says, "so the memorizers often struggle in college."

He suggests taking courses that develop thinking rather than memorization and applying that knowledge in the real world. Finally, ask yourself if you really understand the material.

Don't slack your senior year.
Yeah, you've probably heard this before, but it really, really matters. "Students regress during their senior year," says Kirst. "If you don't take math, you lose those skills." The little amount of studying seniors do doesn't help either, he adds. So, use your senior year to take more fundamental classes and improve your studying skills. Better yet, take a dual enrollment course, and find out what college coursework is all about before you get there.

Take advanced placement (AP) courses.
Research shows that AP students are better prepared for college coursework, says Ayeola Boothe Kinlaw, director of the K--12 Equity and Access Initiatives for The College Board, the organization that develops the PSAT, SAT, and AP programs. "Students who are experiencing that level of rigor while still in the high school environment go to college better able to cope with the level and amount of work required to succeed," she says.Colleges would like to see you attempt an AP course, even if you don't earn the best grade. If your school doesn't offer AP, take a course via an online provider.

Search out independent study.
If your high school doesn't offer a subject you're interested in, the U.S. Department of Education suggests learning about it independently. (Be sure to check if your high school has any restrictions regarding independent study; some demand working under the supervision of a teacher.)

Leah Belisle, a University of Washington (Seattle, WA) junior also sees the benefit of independent study. "The most difficult aspect of college academics is learning to study on your own, without the support of your high school friends, teachers, principal, or counselor." Learn that skill while still in high school, she says, and you won't need to develop it later.

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