college readiness

Definition

A nebulous concept measuring whether high school students possess the academic skills, study habits, and emotional maturity to succeed in higher education. Spoiler alert: most colleges define it as 'can pay tuition and fog a mirror.'

Example Usage

The college readiness program promises to prepare students for university coursework, which mostly means teaching them how to write a five-paragraph essay.

Origin

Became prominent in education policy discourse in the 1990s with standards-based reform movements

Fun Fact

Colleges spend approximately $7 billion annually on remedial courses for students deemed 'not college ready' after admission.

Source: Department of Education and college access program terminology

Related Terms

Beginner

turkey drop

The phenomenon where college freshmen break up with their high school romantic partners during Thanksgiving break, having realized long-distance isn't working or they've met someone new. Relationship mortality spikes dramatically during this November migration home.

🎓 Education / Academia

Beginner

senioritis

The motivational collapse afflicting students in their final term, characterized by grade indifference and existential dread about entering the real world. The academic equivalent of running on fumes while questioning everything.

🎓 Education / Academia

Beginner

add/drop period

The grace period at the beginning of a semester when students can freely abandon classes they've realized are terrible without penalty. After this window closes, escaping requires navigating increasingly painful bureaucratic processes and fees.

🎓 Education / Academia

Advanced

academic journal club

A regular meeting where faculty and graduate students discuss recent research papers, theoretically staying current with their field but often devolving into methodological nitpicking. It's where scholars gather to collectively tear apart someone's published work over coffee.

🎓 Education / Academia

Beginner

commencement

The graduation ceremony marking academic completion, ironically named because it supposedly represents a beginning rather than an ending. It's several hours of name-reading punctuated by inspirational speeches telling you the hard part is just starting.

🎓 Education / Academia

Beginner

Hail Mary pass

A student's desperate, last-minute attempt to salvage a failing grade through extra credit, elaborate excuses, or emotional appeals after ignoring the course all semester. Success rates mirror the football play's namesake—unlikely but occasionally miraculous.

🎓 Education / Academia

Translate This Term

See “college readiness” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Intermediate

directive

An authoritative instruction from on high that may or may not be legally binding, depending on who's asking and how good...