College is a scary place, especially when you have reservations about taking remedial classes. You, however, aren’t alone. Your new instructor might be just as unprepared for college as you are. 

Unfortunately, colleges and universities often assign new instructors, teaching assistants, and junior professors to remedial classes. Typically, instructors with the least experience are chosen, while elite professors teach upper-level students. As unfair as it sounds, it’s pretty much part and parcel of higher education. 

It’s the students falling behind that get the toughest breaks, and when you’re unprepared, you’ll end up with a rookie instructor. So, why are unprepared instructors sent to remedial classes, and how can you prepare for the upcoming term?

How Classes Are Assigned

Universities have different operational methods than traditional schools. For instance, instructors are not technically required to have a teaching background. Often, instructors are part-time and may even work for several colleges or universities at once. This reduces their overall office hours, and their only qualification is a bachelor’s degree. 

There are learning gaps for students across the board, and it isn’t because they don’t have the capacity to learn; it comes down to unprepared instructors. The situation doesn’t improve much either when a university professor is assigned a remedial class. Professors don’t need to have a background in teaching, and as a result, the gap widens. 

Remedial courses do have their uses; unfortunately, unprepared instructors create the most problems. 

Struggling Students Get Left Behind

In a sense, remedial classes often fail most students. 

Almost 80% of students in a remedial college math class do not acquire college-level math skills. That shouldn’t be the case, but in a study conducted by the Community College Research Center, it’s a fact. Sometimes, students never obtain the necessary skills required for college coursework even though they have taken remedial classes. 

Don’t Rely on Your Good Grades 

It’s important to understand that development or remedial classes may still be required even when your grades are excellent. You may have a 4.0 GPA and walk out with several A’s; however, that doesn’t guarantee anything. 

Many high school students do not have the skills needed to tackle higher education. It’s a different atmosphere, different culture, and can quickly overwhelm you. On another note, you might just fall short of what’s needed to skip remedial classes. 

Act Now to Prepare for Higher Education

Remedial classes do have their uses, especially for those who don’t have the grades or have not quite reached their education potential yet. Of course, you can spend time and money on these courses. 

You don’t get any break when it comes to tuition either; you pay for the course as you would if you were in a non-remedial class. However, none of the hours spent in those classes count towards a degree. It’s necessary for some, but you’re almost stuck until you are ready to move on to the ‘authentic’ college coursework. 

Fortunately, you can do a few things to prepare for higher education and hopefully avoid remedial classes.

• Knuckle Down in High School: The simple reality is that you need to study hard, regardless of the course you want to advance to. 
• Try a Dual-Enrollment College Course: These courses give you a sample of what a college course will be like. It also allows you to find the gaps in your knowledge and take steps to close them effectively. 
• Go The Extra Mile By Hiring a Tutor: Whether you believe you’re college material or otherwise, you need to be prepared for the next level of coursework. Study sessions will plug whatever gaps you have and ready you for the intensity of college. 
• Practice For Each Exam: You’ll have placement tests and assessments to determine your level, so it’s crucial to review and practice these examinations. 

Prepare Yourself For College

College is a new educational forum. It’s entirely different from what you already know and are familiar with; that means you need to go the extra mile to succeed. If you want to skip the remedial classes, you must be prepared for the challenge of college. You need to understand what the coursework will be like and take high school seriously to avoid remedial classes.