Every year, colleges report the same concern: freshmen students arrive academically capable but unprepared for independence. In a 2024 survey of more than 3,000 college faculty, three-quarters said incoming students lack critical thinking and problem-solving skills, even as GPAs rise.
A 2025 survey conducted by the Walton Family Foundation also shows that only about one in five high school educators believe their college-bound students are “very prepared” for success, and many students point to struggles with life balance, time management, and financial independence during their first year of college.
A high GPA does not equal an academically successful college freshman. So what does college readiness look like? And how can high schools help students thrive rather than just survive?
Why academically strong students still struggle in college
Many freshmen aren’t struggling because they can’t handle the coursework. More likely, they lack time management, problem-solving skills, accountability, and resilience. Professors report that students can locate information quickly but struggle to apply it, evaluate it, or make independent decisions. Rising GPAs and test-optional admissions policies have not eliminated this gap but in many ways, have exposed it.
Many of the structures and guardrails high schoolers have are gone in college. Including:
- Reminders of upcoming deadlines
- Parent advocacy to resolve conflicts
- Schedule management help from parents, coaches, or guidance counselors
Academic strength matters. But without the skills needed to manage freedom, pressure, and responsibility, even strong students can flounder during their first year away from home.
The skills that matter more than GPA
In today’s world, access to information is nearly unlimited. A student can “just Google it” or ask the AI of their choice and an answer appears in seconds. But problem-solving doesn’t end with finding information. It requires generating new understanding, weighing options, and making decisions based on that knowledge.
At LuHi, we know AI is no substitute for a student’s thinking, reasoning, or voice.
In our classrooms, lessons move beyond memorization so they take responsibility for their learning. Students taking ownership of the learning looks like:
- Generating ideas rather than waiting for answers
- Wrestling with concepts instead of memorizing conclusions
- Collaborating with peers rather than working in isolation behind a screen
- Applying concepts to new situations, rather than the right answer being the highest goal
Ownership begets confidence. Confidence begets independence.
High school is also the time to learn lifelong skills like time management, conflict resolution, following through on commitments, preparedness, and work ethic. These are the skills that will not only get students through college but bring them success in their careers. But these habits don’t appear overnight. They are formed through consistent expectations, accountability, and guided practice over time.
High schools should prepare students for adulthood, not just college
High school is more than a stepping stone to higher education; it is a bridge into adulthood.
Preparing students for that transition requires intentionality. It means holding students accountable for their choices, teaching them to own mistakes, and helping them develop systems for organization, punctuality, and responsibility. It also means allowing students to experience challenge in a supportive environment where adults guide rather than rescue.
At LuHi:
- Students are encouraged to be “all-in” with their school community
- Students engage actively in both classroom learning and school life
- Teachers model commitment, problem-solving, and perseverance
- Accountability is not about punishment; it’s about growth.
AI can’t teach these skills. It is no substitute for authentic intelligence.
Training students for adulthood cannot be delayed until graduation. It must be practiced daily, alongside academic growth.
The Hallmarks of a LuHi Grad
LuHi graduates:
- know Jesus
- are prepared for their next educational challenge
- have a desire to serve others and love their community
- know the answers to life’s great questions
- know how to use AI effectively
- are better prepared than their peers for the real world
Our goal is not simply to graduate students who can succeed academically, but to send young adults into the world prepared to thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
College readiness is not just about getting in. It’s about being ready when you arrive.
Originally posted in 2018, updated in 2026
-2.png)