The Differences College vs. High School

Table of Contents:  12 Major Differences between College and High School  Table: Differences on Student Responsibility  Table: Differences on Academic Environment  Sources

College vs. High School # 1. You don't have to go to class That's awesome, right? Not really! For to many students, skipping class is too big a temptation to resist, especially if it's a big lecture hall class where the professor doesn't know youlecture hall class Here's the scoop: If you don't go to class all or most of the time, you'll do poorly

College vs. High School # 2.You need to manage your time In high school, your teacher will tell you to read certain pages (ex:35-48) for class tomorrow and to start working on your paper In college, the professor hands you a syllabus. It tells you when readings need to be done and when assignments are due You need to take the syllabi from all of your classes and figure out how to best divide up your time

College vs. High School # 3.You need to study more Instructors expect you to study 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class. In college, studying has to be a major part of your life # 4.The reading load is heavier and tougher Expect many more pages and many more big words And don't expect the professor to go over all the readings in class The readings may overlap with the lecture, but not always, so you have to do the reading and learn it on your own. And yes, it will be on the test

College vs. High School # 5. Taking notes is more difficult In high school, your teacher will probably give you an outline of his or her lecture and tell you what points will be on the test In college, the professor often just talks. It's your responsibility to write everything down and know what is important # 6. You won't be reminded about deadlines and tests It's your responsibility to know your deadlines Read your syllabus frequently

College vs. High School # 7.There are no “A’s” for effort In high school, teachers sometimes give students credit if they try and don't do well at something In college, you can study your tail off and still get a “D” on the test The only thing that matters is the end result, not the effort

College vs. High School # 8. Your parents won't be able to help much By law (in the U.S.), instructors cannot discuss your school work with your parents The school considers you an adult, and sharing your personal information with other adults is illegal Your parents may be able to give you guidance about classes and your social life, and if you're lucky, they'll help you out financially For the most part, though, you're on your own

College vs. High School # 9. Help is available, but you have to seek it out People will be happy to help you, but you need to seek out their assistance Don't be afraid to ask for help from your instructors Seek additional help from academic advisors, tutoring centers, writing and computer labs

College vs. High School # 10. You need to balance work and play Your social life has to come second to your school work, and your parents and instructors won't be around to make sure that happens # 11.Discipline problems will not be tolerated Students are expected to act like adults in class. Students with disciplinary issues can be removed from class or from their college campus and there is nothing your parents can do

College vs. High School # 12. You choose most of your classes and your major In high school, many or most of your classes are chosen for you In college, you get to choose your major and your plan of study. This can be intimidating, but also rewardingchoose your major

College vs. High School The Learning Environment Get used to saying “Professor” or “Dr.”. Your teachers are no longer Mr. or Ms. Brown, but Professor or Dr. Brown, and guess what? You are expected to have an opinion! You are no longer a passive learner who just sits and listens to a teacher Who occasionally writes a paper, and takes a test in which you are expected to simply reiterate what you have learned or been told by the teacher You will not be provided with notes; rather, you are expected to figure out on your own what’s important In college your instructors are expecting you to voice your thoughts

College vs. High School The Learning Environment Disagreeing with the professor’s opinion is considered an interesting debate, not deviant behavior Class participation and providing your own perspective and analysis are keys to success in the college learning environment Your instructor also expects you to be ready for every class meeting by completing all reading and homework assignments Not because your instructor doesn’t check your homework, it does not mean it is not homework! Instructors have their own ways of finding out who has/hasn’t been doing their homework

College vs. High School Student Responsibility High School Teacher Supported College Student Directed High school teachers take attendance Successful students attend all classes even though attendance may not be taken Teachers remind students of assignments, tests, projects, etc. Instructors hand out a syllabus at the beginning of the semester and students are expected to keep track of work & due dates Teachers tell students what to learn Students are responsible to teach themselves many topics and need to understand their own best learning styles Teachers discipline inappropriate classroom behaviors There is a zero tolerance for inappropriate classroom behavior

College vs. High School Student Responsibility High School Teacher Supported College Student Directed Teachers summarize main ideas, outline notes, provide study guides, pose questions to trigger discussion Successful students take effective notes & study them regularly, create their own study guides, generate questions and answers based on their study Teachers provide in-class study time Successful students use study areas on campus and create a study area at home, and manage their lives in order to have sufficient study time Students are handed a class schedule each year Successful students chose their classes based on their program/degree/transfer requirements. Assistance is available, but the student must seek it

College vs. High School Academic Environment High School Student Focused College Content Focused Teachers often repeat the same information in class as is present in the textbook Professors’ lectures extend and supplement reading material rather than repeat & review it Class sizes are usually students Large lecture classes can contain 50 or more students. Sometimes 100’s! High school classes meet daily College classes meet 1, 2 or 3 times per week Teachers provide background knowledge Professors expect students to have all required background knowledge

College vs. High School Academic Environment High School Student Focused College Content Focused Teachers cover all content in class Students are responsible for all content on the syllabus, regardless of whether or not it is discussed in class Teachers give frequent tests, often provide opportunity for make-ups and accept assignments handed in late Professors give fewer tests and generally do not allow for make-ups or late assignments Teachers provide extra help Extra help is available, but the student must seek it out Some sources are: study groups that the students put together themselves, peer tutoring, workshops offered by Counseling & Career Services and more

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