Analysis Of An Open Letter To Ninth Graders By Patrick Sullivan

Being Successful In Education
Every year new students begin their first year of college and transition into the most important academic step of their lives. Within the first week, teachers can create their opinion of whether or not a student seems ready for college. In the article, An Open Letter to Ninth Graders, Patrick Sullivan states that there is an “exception gap between the skills students are typically bringing into college and what teachers like [him] think students should be bringing with them to college.” Throughout the writing, Sullivan mentions that without “college readiness skills” you are not going to be prepared for college. In my opinion, how academically involved a student wants to be in his/her education is what determines
whether they will become successful in college.
In the writing, An Open Letter to Ninth Graders, Patrick Sullivan argues that there is an “expectation gap between what skills students are typically bringing into college and what college teachers [like himself] think students should be bringing with them” (pp.
1). Sullivan discusses the topic of preparing for college and aims his discussion towards high school freshman and college students. The students he has found prepared enough for college had no difficulty reading materials of multiple ranges and subjects since they “loved to read” (pp. 1). Furthermore, students that are prepared know that exemplary writing takes exemplary effort, and they come willing to comprehend, study, converse, and evaluate their written works. Additionally, listening and thinking influences the different ideas that we can develop; this can affect our self-development and mental capabilities, which can increase opportunities for further engagement.
Sullivan further states that vital qualities, such as grit, play a grander role in college readiness; due to the fact that perseverance, self-discipline, and passion are essential to create strong intellectual potentials. As well, any young adult is eventually given unlimited freedom; no control for this freedom given in college develops no maturity and no positive direction for the student. Without maturity, a moral attitude towards college and education will usually not develop in the manner that a prepared and successful student’s attitude
would.
Although Sullivan claims that students must have certain skills such as listening and reading comprehension, to be ready for college, I disagree.
College readiness is not determined by a set of skills; rather it is determined by how academically involved a student wants to be in his/her education. He states that, “students who are ready for college like to read. If you don’t like to read, you are going to find college very difficult” (pp. 1). In my experience, by coming to college and wanting to be more involved in my education, I realized that college is actually simple and that my increased involvement also has been leading me to be college ready and successful. In college I wanted to be more academically involved and by doing so I realized how I became more organized, gained a habit of completing many assignments before due dates, and could notice how my grades were very much improved. In addition, the author states, “If you don’t love to read you will probably be confused and frustrated while at college” (pp. 2). In my first week of college my reading assignments consisted of hundreds of pages that had to be read in the same week. Even when reading without the love to do so, the assignments never created any irritation. Never in my life have I enjoyed reading, or have understood how someone enjoys reading. Nonetheless, I have completed every assignment because of how it would be a significant factor in my
academics.
Throughout the article, Kim Nelson (pp. 3) and Patrick Sullivan, many times state that skills and qualities make all college success and achievements possible. Qualities and skills are not responsible for attaining goals and achievements. Rather, success depends on the student. Not everybody can expect to have all the skills and qualities Nelson and Sullivan discuss, but by working hard and wanting to be involved in his/her education, the student can be led to success. Furthermore, meaning that the student will need to be consistent will all assignments, wisely manage time, be willing to go to class and take detailed notes, study at home and stay organized, and maintain high standards for himself/herself. I do not like to read, as said before, but even without the “skills” I still accomplish multiple goals in all of my classes (even when reading is required). Sullivan believes that skills are the only factor that contributes to success, but success in college depends on the student. His/her decision to be involved in his/her education is more important than having “certain skills and qualities”.