How to Prepare Your English Skills for a Four-Year University

Whether you are a high school student or a community college student, transferring to a four-year university can be a big change -- especially the difficulty of the classes. English can be one of the toughest subjects to adapt to when it comes to transferring, so I have compiled a list of ways you can better prepare yourself for the changes ahead!

1. Read as much as possible! The first step to becoming a well-versed writer is reading. All the time. Constantly. Reading is the most important step to understanding how the English language works in new and exciting ways. The more you read, the more your brain will pick up, and the easier it will be to write.
2. Write as much as possible! After reading, writing is also an essential step to developing your English skills. It seems pretty obvious when stated out loud -- to become a better writer you must actually write -- but you would be surprised at what an obstacle this can be! It is much easier to take a passive approach and simply hope for the best when it comes to English classes and skills, but the only way to truly improve is to write, write, write! Even if it’s just a blurb a day, it will help build your skills and prepare you for the tougher classes later on.
3. Don’t forget your High School Exit Exam! I know, I know. Who wants to think about the standardized tests of high school? It’s tempting to let go of all that SAT, ACT, and Exit Exam knowledge once you’ve graduated, but you might actually need that knowledge in the future! For example, the vocabulary that those tests encourage is praised in college and can really amp the professionalism of your papers. Also, are you planning on become a teacher or substitute of some sort? You’ll have to take the CBEST, and possible the CSET, which are extremely similar to the tests you took in high school.
4. Don’t sleep through your English classes! It’s 8:00 AM and all you want to do is eat your Pop-Tart and pass out on the cold, hard desk, but think again! Whether you’re in a high school or community college English class, I guarantee that the things your teacher is trying to teach you will be required knowledge in the future! Whether they’re talking about the symbolism in Lord of the Flies, in-text citations, or different forms of formatting, I guarantee you will need it later on (even if you’re not an English major!). Don’t nod off!
5. Don’t jump ahead! It is easy to overestimate yourself, especially when it comes to math and English. Sure, you’ve been learning these subjects since you started talking, but that doesn’t mean you know everything! Don’t dive into tough college courses without some form of remedial education, whether it be through high school resources or community college classes. Prepare yourself for tough literature, confusing poetry, long research papers (I’m talking 10 pages with a minimum of 5 academic sources), and tons of literary discussion. These types of classes can be challenging for even the most adept English majors, so warm up to it! Give yourself time to practice and to understand remedial material.
6. Take advantage of resources! There are so many resources for students nowadays! For example, us! The Writing & Reading Center can help you review and prepare for more difficult classes, study for big tests, and write research papers. If you are going into a class that you think will be difficult, come in to get a refresher. We can give you the low-down on commas, in-text citations, formatting, paraphrasing, and everything else English. If you can’t make it here, just about every college campus has a writing center that is willing to help out a student in need. If you are still in high school, talk to the counseling center about tutoring! A lot of the times, students will work as tutors in high school for other students that are having a hard time. There is always a way, so make sure to take inventory of your resources.
7. Realize that universities are a lot more expensive! Taking university courses seriously is a huge must. Tuition at a typical four-year school can be almost $4,000, so failing a class is a huge blow not only to your transcript and GPA, but also to your wallet! Make sure that you are utilizing every single resource, paying attention in class, and only taking classes that you know you are capable of. This is especially important in English classes, because English is not a very cut-and-dry subject. Every teacher has different expectations, requirements, syllabi, and grading systems, so it is important to be as involved in your English classes as possible so that you don’t run the risk of failing! If you find yourself enrolled in an English course that you don’t think you are prepared for, speak with your professor, explain your concern, and see if they have any advice for you. Also, turn to your resources (I know, I know, I’m being repetitive, but it’s so important)!

Written by Sydnee Appel, CSU Fresno Student, FCC Tutor