Odyssey newsletter: skills . test-optional . now

Volume 1 Issue 28

by Michael Wagner

Knowledge Pilot, Launch Global Education

Each week there are countless stories on the world of post-secondary education; however, there are some topics that always dominate the news—admissions issues, post-graduation opportunities, and standardized testing continually seem to be at the forefront. The articles highlighted this week touch upon those topics. I hope you find them informative and valuable.

Discoveries

Just a fact: the population of students is dwindling

As if it wasn’t enough for colleges and universities to deal with the effects of the pandemic over the past two years, there is another storm brewing on the horizon: the population of eligible students available to attend college is shrinking. Kevin Carey, vice president at New America think tank in Washington, DC, reports on the story for Vox.

The incredible shrinking future of college

Bonus article from Michael T. Nietzel, Senior Contributor for Forbes:

Some Good News On The College Application Front

Test optional gains traction at a new level

The admissions policy of students having the option to submit applications to colleges without needing to submit standardized test scores, known as test optional, is not a new concept. However, it gained a lot of attention when the normal admissions process was interrupted during the pandemic and more colleges and universities adopted the policy. Now the concept is spreading to a whole new level with the U.S. Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Scott Jaschik of Inside Higher Ed reports on the story.

Big Step Toward Test Optional in Law School Admissions

Job skills development is all about human skill development

As college students prepare over four years or more to develop the skills needed to be successful in the real world, they are coming to understand what employers have been saying for years—students need real world skills. These are sometimes called soft skills, human skills, or life skills, but no matter the terminology, students need opportunities in college to develop them. Kate Tornone, Lead Editor of Higher Ed Dive, shares results of a recent survey relating to the topic.

Young adults with degrees say they need more real-world training

And here is a link to the full study from Multiverse:

Multiverse Survey Finds 72% Believe College Degrees Do Not Equip Adults with Everything Needed for their Careers

Tip of the Week

Stay in the now

Around this time, it is very easy for students to simply accept where they are in their current term, feeling that their fate is determined. However, now is the time to dig in and remain focused on the current moment–to stay in the now. Most schools will end the first term in the coming weeks. “The now” is each day in these final few weeks before term grades are determined.

Yep, some may be saying “wasn’t this the tip of the week last week?” And in some form, it may be. That is how important it is to finish the term strongly. These are the grades colleges will see on the transcript when your applications are submitted. If that doesn’t single handily indicate the importance of this tip, nothing will.

Remain focused, stay dedicated, and leave everything on the field, to use a sports expression. Do your best and stay in the now—you owe it to yourself.

Before you go...

Last week I mentioned that it was the holiday of Thanksgiving in the United States. It is the time when many of us pause to be thankful and show gratitude. Steve Hartman of CBS shows us in a segment of his series Kindness 101 a heart-warming story of gratitude.

Kindness 101: A lesson in gratitude

Once again, thanks for reading and thanks for passing this newsletter along to others.

Take care and have a great week.

Mike

Michael Wagner, MAED is a founder and the Knowledge Pilot for Launch Education. Mr. Mike has assisted hundreds of students around the world on their college pathways.