Ready you are for college coursework? There's a big difference between high school vs. college classes, and you're bound to be a little bit shocked with those higher expectations. While an adjustment period is going to be inevitable, you can help ease the shock by taking high school classes that prepare you well for college. Here are a few classes you can take that will help you get ready.

Advanced Placement English -- or Other Challenging English Classes

Many students are not coming to college with the writing skills professors expect -- and their freshman year grades reflect this. To make sure you're ready for college level writing, there's no better class than Advanced Placement English which is designed to mimic the difficulty level of college class. You'll work hard in AP English, but you'll leave with strong writing skills. And no, you don't have to be a prospective English major to take AP English. All college students need to know how to write -- even those who major in things like science and engineering -- so this class will be helpful to just about anyone.

Not ready for the challenge of Advanced Placement English? No problem -- just take a few alternate classes that have strong writing components.

Public Speaking

Many, if not most students, have a fear of public speaking, which is one reason why you should take this class in high school -- get some of the fear out of your system now! Even if you don't need to take public speaking in college, you'll be making presentations, so public speaking skills are extremely valuable. Plus if you take public speaking in college, the class will be much easier if you've taken it already in high school.

Basic History, Government, Politics, and Current Events

Countless classes in college will assume that students know the basics of their own history, government, and politics, as well as the information about the world. If you're not literate in these areas, you'll hear references in class all the time that make no sense to you. Make sure you take enough classes that you'll have at least some of the prior knowledge that professors expect. On a related note, basic geographic knowledge is important as well.