Preparing for college is about more than studying harder. For many bright students, the real issue isn’t intelligence — it’s brain efficiency.

In this Brain Coach Tip, Jan Bedell of Brain Sprints explains how the **neurodevelopmental approach** can dramatically improve college readiness, ACT performance, and long-term academic success.

If your teen studies diligently, but:

* Struggles with standardized tests like the ACT

* Forgets information under pressure

* Has difficulty processing lectures

* Says, “I knew it yesterday, but I can’t remember now”

* Feels discouraged despite high potential

Then it may be time to look at the *foundation* of learning.

The 4 Foundational Skills Required for College Success

Academic success rests on four core brain functions. If any one of these areas is inefficient, performance suffers — even in highly intelligent students.

1. Brain Organization

Organization includes both physical coordination (how the body moves through space) and mental organization (how thoughts are structured).

Jan often references Albert Einstein as an example. Though a genius, he struggled in traditional school settings. High IQ does not guarantee an efficiently organized brain.

When brain organization is weak, learning feels chaotic and overwhelming.



2. Receiving Information (Short-Term Memory & Processing)

This involves auditory and visual processing — the ability to:

* Hold information in sequence

* Process it rapidly

* Integrate multiple pieces at once

This skill is essential for:

* ACT and SAT performance

* College entrance exams

* Fast-paced college lectures

Students with strong auditory processing absorb lectures efficiently. Those with weak processing may feel lost within minutes.

Jan recommends strengthening processing to at least a “9” level before college for optimal ease and success.

Simple training strategy:

* 2 minutes of auditory processing

* 2 minutes of visual processing

* Twice per day

Consistent frequency builds lifelong skill — not just for college, but for career performance, leadership, and daily communication.

3. Storing Information (Long-Term Memory & Dominance)

Once information is processed, it must be stored efficiently for retrieval.

Jan explains the importance of **dominance** — alignment of hand, eye, and ear on the same side of the body. When dominance is mixed, students often:

* Know material one day but not the next

* Freeze under pressure

* Struggle with test recall

Under exam stress (such as the ACT), inefficient storage systems often fail.

This is why some highly intelligent students cannot retrieve what they’ve studied.

4. Using Information Efficiently

The final step is retrieval and application. If organization, processing, and storage are efficient, students can:

* Recall information under pressure

* Apply concepts logically

* Perform confidently on tests

This combination creates what Jan calls **an efficient brain**.

 Real ACT Score Improvement: A Brain-Based Approach

At a homeschool book fair, a mother shared her 17-year-old son’s story.

He scored a **14 on the ACT** — not high enough for college admission.

With only three and a half months before retesting, he began the Developmental Foundations Advanced program from Little Giant Steps.

After strengthening organization, processing, and storage:

➡ He raised his ACT score from **14 to 20** in 3.5 months.

This was not test prep.

This was not cramming.

This was improved brain efficiency.

 When Brain Function Is Affected by Body Chemistry

Jan also emphasizes a critical but often overlooked factor: **metabolic health**.

Issues such as:

* Frequent illness

* Gut dysfunction

* Allergies

* Heavy metal toxicity

* Autoimmune stress

* Sensory hypersensitivities

can negatively impact brain performance.

When metabolic stressors interfere, students may experience:

* Brain fog

* Poor sleep

* Sluggish processing

* Reduced cognitive endurance

Addressing chemistry alongside neurodevelopment creates a powerful combination for college readiness.

 Why This Matters for Homeschool and Traditional Families Alike

Many bright students quietly believe they are “not smart enough” when the issue is actually developmental inefficiency.

That discouragement can shape their future.

The neurodevelopmental approach empowers parents with:

* Practical at-home brain training strategies

* Structured programs targeting root causes

* Tools that build lifelong cognitive strength

Jan’s mission is simple: equip families so thoroughly that they no longer need her.

 College Success Starts with Brain Efficiency

If your teen:

* Wants to attend college

* Struggles with standardized tests

* Feels overwhelmed in lectures

* Has strong potential but inconsistent performance

It may be time to strengthen the foundation.

Neurodevelopment is not remediation.

It is reconstruction.

And when the foundation is strong, college becomes not just possible — but productive and pleasant.

 Next Steps

Explore resources, assessments, and training programs at Brain Sprints.

Neurodevelopment is a dynamic approach to life at any age.

Think differently.

The solution is not in the problem.