Evaluating the Secondary and Tertiary Skills of Independence Can Unlock the Key to College Success
The transition from high school to college is more than just a shift in academic expectations—it’s a significant step toward independence. However, independence is not achieved solely through academic ability. Success in post-secondary settings relies on mastering secondary and tertiary skills—those that extend beyond academics and encompass a wide range of adaptive life skills.
The Pathway to Independence Assessment System (P2I) offers a comprehensive approach to assessing these skills, helping educators parents and support staff identify where students stand in critical areas like self-regulation, interpersonal relationships, and independent living. Evaluating these secondary and tertiary skills is the key to ensuring students make a successful transition to college and beyond.
Independence is More Than Academics
While academic ability is often the first indicator of a student’s readiness for college, it is only the beginning. To thrive independently, students need a wide array of secondary and tertiary skills, which include interpersonal, emotional, and practical competencies. These skills often determine how well a student can manage the full spectrum of college life—from coursework to health, relationships, and self-care.
The P2I assesses students across six core areas of adaptive living and 5 core areas of social emotional learning, recognizing that without these additional skills, students may struggle to achieve sustainable independence. Below, we explore each area with practical examples to highlight their importance.
The Eleven Core Skills for Independence
1. Academic Skills
Academic success isn’t just about understanding coursework—it involves time management, goal setting, and organization. A student might excel in math but struggle to meet deadlines if they haven’t developed effective study habits or can’t plan ahead for exams.
The P2I evaluates a student’s ability to balance academic responsibilities with other aspects of life, ensuring they have the tools to manage their workload independently.
2. Health and Wellness
Students who neglect physical and mental health are at risk of burnout, anxiety, or illness. The P2I assesses how well students care for themselves, focusing on routines like sleep schedules, exercise, and nutrition, as well as their ability to recognize stress and seek support when needed.
Without these skills, students may find it difficult to stay healthy in the face of academic and social pressures.
3. Interpersonal Skills
Healthy relationships are central to well-being, but many students struggle to build connections in new environments. The P2I measures competencies like conflict resolution, communication, and teamwork, all of which play a vital role in forming supportive relationships with peers, professors, and roommates.
Students lacking interpersonal skills might experience isolation, which can negatively impact both their mental health and academic performance.
4. Employability Skills
College often marks the beginning of part-time work or internships, where students need professionalism, punctuality, and problem-solving abilities. The P2I evaluates these employability skills to ensure students are prepared to balance school and work successfully.
For example, a student who knows how to manage multiple deadlines at work and in school is more likely to feel confident navigating future career challenges.
5. Self-Regulation Skills
The ability to self-regulate emotions and behavior under stress is a cornerstone of independence. The P2I assesses how students respond to challenges, including whether they can recover from setbacks, stay focused under pressure, and manage anxiety.
Self-regulation ensures students can adapt to new academic and social environments without becoming overwhelmed.
6. Independent Living Skills
Beyond academics, college life demands practical living skills such as budgeting, laundry, cooking, and managing transportation. The P2I measures these competencies to ensure students are prepared to handle life’s daily demands independently.
For instance, students who understand basic budgeting will be better equipped to manage their finances, avoiding common pitfalls like credit card debt.
7. Self-Awareness
The ability to accurately recognize one's emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior
8. Self-Management
The ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.
9. Social Awareness
The ability to understand the perspectives of others and empathize with them, including people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
10. Relationship Skills
The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups.
11. Responsible Decision-Making
The ability to make caring and constructive choices about one's personal behavior and social interactions.
Unlocking Success Through Measurement
The P2I emphasizes that evaluating these secondary and tertiary skills is essential for building independence. Without a structured way to measure readiness, educators and social workers might overlook key areas where students need support. Assessing these skills helps professionals design targeted interventions that empower students to build confidence and capability over time.
When secondary and tertiary skills are measured, students benefit from a more tailored support system—one that identifies both strengths and growth opportunities. Moreover, the process of measurement encourages students to take ownership of their development, reinforcing the skills they need for life beyond college.
The Risks of Overlooking Key Skills
Failure to assess these additional skills can result in students encountering avoidable challenges. For example, students with strong academic records but poor interpersonal skills may struggle to collaborate in group projects or form meaningful friendships. Similarly, students who lack self-regulation may find it difficult to recover from setbacks, jeopardizing their academic progress.
By using a tool like the P2I, educators and social workers can prevent these issues before they arise. The inventory offers a comprehensive view of each student’s readiness for post-secondary independence, ensuring that no critical skills are left unaddressed.
Conclusion
Independence is not just about academic success—it is built on a foundation of secondary and tertiary skills that equip students to thrive in all aspects of life. The Pathway to Independence Inventory (P2I) offers a practical way to evaluate these skills, providing valuable insights into a student’s readiness for college and adulthood.
Through measurement, educators and social workers can identify where students need support, fostering growth in key areas and unlocking the full potential of independence. By assessing and addressing these competencies, professionals can help students navigate the complexities of college life and prepare for a successful future.