Success in post-secondary education isn’t just about knowing the material. This section explores the wide range of skills students need to thrive in post-secondary education and beyond. Developing these skills now can make your transition smoother, boost your confidence, and set you up for greater independence in the future.
Below are some of the most common skills needed for success at post-secondary. While academic skills are important, learning skills such as organization, time management, self-advocacy, and independence often play an equal, or even greater, role in long-term success. Take time to honestly reflect on your strengths and areas where you may need more practice. Have you already developed skills in these areas - or are they areas where you have room for improvement?
Essential skills for post-secondary education include:
Managing classwork and assignments, meeting deadlines, balancing different commitments
Keeping track of course requirements, deadlines, arriving prepared to classes, labs, and exams
Effective test-taking skills for multiple-choice, short-answer, and long response/essays
Talking to instructors, support staff, working with classmates
Understanding your needs and seeking support
Depending on your program and courses, you may need to rely on strong reading, writing and/or math skills
Managing routines, housing, and personal care
Building these skills takes time and practice, but every step you take helps prepare you for success in post-secondary and beyond.
Success in post-secondary education takes commitment, effort, and persistence, but one of the most powerful tools you have is self-awareness. When you understand your strengths and your challenges, you can make informed choices about the skills, strategies, or tools that you will need to succeed. This isn’t about focusing on what’s “hard,” but about learning how you learn best and how to work smarter, not just harder.
Everyone has a unique mix of abilities. Knowing yours allows you to lean into what you do well while proactively addressing areas of skill deficit. The better you understand yourself, the more confident and independent you will feel as expectations increase in post-secondary education.
Self-assessment tools can help you identify your learning preferences and work habits such as organization, time management, or attention. For example, the Skills for Success – Assessment and Training Tools can highlight areas of strength and suggest specific skills to develop.
Think about the subjects, hobbies, or activities you enjoy and feel confident in. What kinds of tasks feel manageable or even energizing? Which ones feel more challenging or draining? Keeping a journal can be a helpful way to track what feels easy, what takes more effort, and what strategies seem to work best for you over time.
Sometimes others notice strengths we take for granted. Teachers, coaches, family members, friends, or mentors can offer valuable perspectives on what you do well and where you may need extra support. Their feedback can help you see patterns and possibilities you might not have considered.
Report cards, learning assessments, and your Individual Education Plan (IEP) often contain useful information about your academic progress, learning needs, and effective strategies. These documents can help you identify both consistent strengths and areas where targeted skill development or support may be helpful.
Post-secondary education is exciting, but it can also feel busy, fast-paced, and much more independent than high school. For most students, there’s a significant adjustment period, and this transition can be especially noticeable for students with disabilities. High school is typically a highly structured environment, with a set daily schedule, regular check-ins with teachers, familiar peers, and many built-in supports. In post-secondary education, students are expected to take on more responsibility for their learning. This means creating your own routines, managing your time, keeping track of deadlines, meeting course expectations, building relationships, and knowing how and when to access support. You may also notice that some challenges that were supported through academic accommodations in high school are better addressed in post-secondary through skill development and new strategies.
Taking time to think ahead can make this transition smoother. As you consider the post-secondary environment alongside your own strengths and challenges, ask yourself: Which skills would I like to build or strengthen? For example:
The good news is that many of the skills students find challenging are skills that can be learned and improved. Depending on your disability and the requirements of your program, academic accommodations may still play an important role. However, developing strong, independent learning skills will serve you well in the long run—not just in post-secondary education, but also as you move into the workforce.
Skill-building doesn’t happen overnight, it develops gradually with time, practice, and patience. That’s why starting early is so helpful. High school is a great time to begin building the skills you’ll need for post-secondary success, while you still have access to familiar supports and opportunities to practice. The key is to keep working on these skills over time, giving yourself space to learn, make mistakes, and improve.
Look for everyday opportunities, both in and out of school, to strengthen your skills. Small, consistent efforts can add up to big gains in confidence and independence.
Start by reflecting on the skills you already have and the ones you’ll need in post-secondary education. Which skills feel strong right now? Which ones could use more attention? Think about challenges you’re currently experiencing, at school, at work, or in daily life, that might be easier with some additional skill development. Focusing on skills that connect to your real-life experiences can make learning more meaningful and motivating.
While you are in high school, take advantage of the resources and experiences available to you. These opportunities can help you build confidence and independence as you prepare for the transition to post-secondary education.
Using these opportunities now can make the transition to post-secondary smoother and help you feel more prepared, capable, and confident as you move forward.
Check out some of the following resources to identify and build on essential skills:
There are a lot of free resources at post-secondary to support your learning and help you develop skills - academic and non-academic ones:
Skill development is crucial to success after high school, and throughout your life. Use this worksheet to make a plan for the skills you want to work on.
Are you ready to learn more about preparing for life at post-secondary? TRG Next is a series of 4 modules designed to help students feel significantly more prepared, informed, and confident to begin their post-secondary studies. Each module has a companion workbook and activities to complete that allow students to self-reflect, practice necessary skills, and explore information about their post-secondary school.
Understanding your strengths and challenges is an ongoing process—and that’s okay. As you grow, learn, and take on new responsibilities, this insight will continue to evolve. Now that you’ve reflected on your strengths, challenges, and the skills you want to build, it’s time to move from planning to action. In the next section, Let’s Go, you’ll begin turning your goals and preparation into clear, practical steps toward your post-secondary journey.
