High School vs. College
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Whether you like them or not, high school and college are two significant stages of your academic life. They both help you widen your knowledge through the discussions and assessments. They also enhance your skills, whether practical, professional or life skills. Moreover, they develop your character, which later on prepares you for your future career. You may favor one over the other based on personal opinions or other people’s stories, but they have their own merits. High school and college are different in terms of subjects offered, level of difficulty, workload, and ability to manage your time.
One of the primary differences between high school and college is the curriculum or subjects offered to the students. Their structures are based on the government’s requirements, prior educational researches, societal needs, and school committees’ discretion. Because they are developed to meet various needs, they vary from country to country and school to school.
In high school, students are required to take fundamental subjects. These include mathematics, science, languages, history, and physical education. They also need to study other subjects, such as music, art, and health. Although some students think some of them should be omitted, they are still necessary for their basic education. These will ultimately prepare them for their college education, whatever program they choose to take.
Meanwhile, in college, students are given more liberty to choose the courses or subjects they want to take. They are still required to take the subjects under their chosen program. However, there are some instances where they can select other electives that other people in their program may not take. In addition, they can opt to take one or two languages that they want to study. Some colleges and universities offer language courses, even if they are not really connected to their respective programs. So if you want to learn Japanese or Spanish, you can do that in college.
If you compare high school and college, you cannot leave out the difficulty of the lessons and assessments. High school students think that classes are already difficult, but their perception becomes different when they go to college. Most students fear college because they know how challenging and lengthy the lessons are, depending on their program.
In high school, the difficulty of the lessons increases yearly, especially for subjects that follow the spiral curriculum. It is based on the cognitive theory attributed to Jerome Bruner (1960). This refers to a curriculum design wherein the main ideas and concepts are repeated but with increasing complexity or in different applications. This entails that the students must learn or master the necessary skills before moving to the next level. This way, they can participate in the discussion and apply their prior knowledge to the following lessons and assessments. In terms of assessments, students are given several forms of tests, including seat works, assignments, quizzes, and examinations. In addition, they are also given performance- or product-based assessments that are graded using scoring rubrics. And if the school requires students to take standardized tests, like AP, SAT, or GRE, they also have to prepare for them.
In college, on the other hand, students are only given a semester to learn and master one course. This short span increases the level of difficulty of learning and the time dedicated to studying. Moreover, this causes most professors to give them long reading assignments because they do not have enough class hours to discuss everything. As a result, the students learn most concepts while reading and studying, and the lectures are dedicated to clarifying what they have learned. With little to no guidance from the teachers, students are left on their own, making their college life more challenging. Furthermore, their examinations are no picnic either. Because the lessons are complex, so are the tests. Often, some professors create assessments that are indeed challenging the students’ knowledge, hard work, and time management skills.
Another difference between high school and college is the workload. Like how the difficulty of lessons increased from high school to college, the workload also increases, even more than twice. In high school, students’ requirements are limited to give them more time for other activities. Because teachers consider the students’ health, they are advised not to provide time-consuming assignments or projects. Moreover, the students have extracurricular activities or outside lessons that they need to do.
In contrast, the workload of college students can be overwhelming. They are given more requirements and projects as part of their training. For example, if they are taking an arts or architecture program, they must submit artworks or present plates. These requirements take a long time to finish, so they even spend time outside of class hours to finish them. Furthermore, they must fulfill practicum duties that they will do outside the campus or on their assigned companies. Besides tasks related to their programs, they must also work on various group works that can take their time, whether inside or outside the class. Most importantly, they need to complete several academic or research papers. Before graduating, they must defend their thesis well. If not, they must repeat the course and might graduate a little later than others.
Lastly, managing time is an essential factor in the battle of high school versus college. At this point, you might wonder why some people loved college if they were given so many things to do. Even though school works in college seem endless, they are free to manage their time according to their needs. For example, in high school, students are required to go to school at a particular time. But in college, they can come anytime as long as they are not late for their class. This is possible because of the flexibility of schedules. Additionally, high school students are given more restrictions because of their parents. But when they go to college, they get to decide on some matters without their parents’ guidance. Because of this freedom, they can decide whether to study or socialize instead.
In conclusion, high school and college have similarities but mostly have differences. They contrast with the curriculum or subject offered and the level of difficulty of lessons and assessments. In addition, they differ in terms of workload and the students’ ability to manage their time. Their differences exist for a purpose, but their goal is similar—to provide education to prepare the students.
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High School vs College: 15 Key Differences
Other High School , College Info
Are you about to start college soon? Are you wondering what changes to expect? How is college different from high school? When you compare high school vs college, you'll find many differences, some of which are obvious, others less so.
It's important to understand how high school and college are different from each other so you know what to expect and can have a smoother transition when you begin college. In this guide, we explain the 15 most important differences between high school and college and give you tips to help make this major life change a bit less intimidating.
How Is College Different From High School?
There's a reason so many movies, shows, and books focus on new college students: many people see the transition from high school to college as one of the most important turning points in their life. You're no longer a kid living under your parents' roof; instead you're an adult living on your own and expected to make real, important decisions about your future.
You'll have a lot more freedom, but a lot will also be expected from you, both in class and out. Read on to learn specific high school vs college differences.
Below are 15 high school vs college differences you'll likely encounter once you begin college. There are pros and cons to both high school and college, but knowing what to expect will make you better prepared for this big change.
#1: You'll Have More Independence
The biggest change for high school vs. college is that, in college, you'll have much more independence than you had in high school. Many people focus on the fact that you'll be living away from your parents, and this is a part of it, but you'll have independence in many other areas as well.
You'll have the freedom to decide what you want to major in, which classes you want to take, when you want to schedule those classes, if you want to go out with your friends, how late you want to stay out, even what you want to eat in the dining hall. (I ate Reese's Puffs cereal every day for four years because my parents never allowed it and I was thrilled to finally be able to have it for breakfast.)
#2: You'll Be Treated Like an Adult
Along with your increased independence, you'll also be treated like an adult in college as opposed to a child under your parents' care. In college, you'll no longer need to bring your parents permission slips to sign, you'll be trusted to make your own choices for what you want to study, and you can arrange meetings yourself, without Mom and Dad helping you.
For many students, it's exciting to finally be viewed as an adult, but it also means an increase in responsibilities. If you have a problem with or question about homework, classes, a grade you got, etc., you are the one who will need to solve it. You can't expect your parents to call the school and fix the problem for you like they may have done in high school.
#3: There Will Be a Wider Variety of Classes to Choose From
In high school, you didn't have a lot of choice in regards to which classes you took. You could probably choose a few electives , but your schedule was mostly filled with the standard math, science, English, and social studies requirements that all students had to take.
In college, even if you attend a smaller school, you'll have many more options. They'll be a wider variety of classes to choose from , and many of them will focus on more specific topics like astronomy, ancient Roman history, French literature, the geography of the United States, and more. Many college students like this increase in class options since it makes it easier for them to choose classes on topics they're really interested in.
#4: Classes Will Have Different Formats and Sizes
Each class you took in high school probably had about the same number of students and consisted mostly of lecturing, maybe along with some individual or group work. This isn't true in college. Classes can range from two to 500 students, and their format can vary widely as well. Classes may be completely lecture-based, require hands-on lab work, or be discussion-based where you spend most of class time engaged in conversations or debates with your classmates and professor.
#5: Your Schedule Will Be More Complicated
In high school, school started and ended the same time every day, and your class schedule was probably the same for every day of the week. In college, things get a little trickier. Some classes meet three times a week for an hour and a half, some meet five times a week for an hour, some meet once a week for three hours, etc. This means you'll likely be starting and ending class at different times during the week, and you may end up with a different class schedule for every day of the week.
Some people like the variety this gives them, but it's important to stay on top of your schedule so you don't wind up forgetting to attend class.
#6: You'll Have a New Set of Classmates
One of the most jarring things for many new college students is they're no longer surrounded by classmates and friends they've known for years. Instead, you'll be in a sea of strangers (at least at first), many of whom come from different areas and backgrounds than you. Additionally, you'll likely have a different set of classmates for each of your classes. That's a lot of new faces!
This means you have lots of opportunity for making all kinds of friends, but expect there to be some awkwardness and loneliness at first as everyone gets to know each other and figures out their friend groups. Additionally, since in college everyone wants to be there (at least on some level), you may find your college classmates more motivated and dedicated to doing well in school compared to some of your high school peers.
#7: Classes Will Require More Critical Thinking
Is college hard compared to high school? Going to college isn't just like attending four more years of high school. This is a big step up in your education, and your classes will be more challenging and expect you to keep up. You'll be tested less on memorization and basic regurgitation of facts and more on critical thinking skills and being able to apply what you learned in class to other situations.
You may learn a specific math equation and then be asked to apply that knowledge to more challenging types of equations, learn about different historical events and be asked to analyze how they affected future events, learn a scientific process and be asked to describe how it affects the environment, etc.
#8: College Costs More
There's no way around it; c ollege definitely costs more than high school. Tuition is thousands of dollars, and you'll likely be paying for room and board as well. And those are just the main costs. College requires all sorts of smaller purchases too, like special goggles for your chemistry lab or official test taking booklets for final exams. Buying just one college textbook (often over $100) is enough to never let you take for granted all free materials you got in high school.
#9: You'll Spend Less Time in Class
Most full-time college students spend about 15-20 hours in class a week, which comes out to about three or four hours a day. This is probably much less time than you spent in high school classes every day which means you'll have a lot more unscheduled time to spend how you think is best.
#10: You'll Have More Schoolwork
Don't get too excited about spending less time in class; college definitely knows how to keep you busy. The general rule of thumb is that you'll spend about three hours a week on schoolwork for every one hour of class you're in.
With a standard schedule of 15 credits, that means you can expect to spend 45 hours a week on schoolwork, about as much as a full-time job! This is often much more work than students had in high school, so you should be prepared for an adjustment.
#11: Attendance Will Be Up to You
In high school, you had to go to class every day because if you didn't, you could get in trouble for truancy or (sometimes even more frightening) your parents could find out. In college, there are no requirements for attending class, and no one is going to call your parents if you don't show up. However, don't make the mistake some college students do and think this means you don't need to go to class.
Many professors include attendance as part of your grade, and some will even fail you if you miss a certain number of classes without a valid excuse. Plus, it's often very difficult to do well in a class if you never show up, and you're paying a lot of money for these classes! Make sure you get the most out of them that you can.
#12: You'll Have More Social Opportunities
Even if you were a social butterfly in high school, you'll have tons more opportunities to be social and make friends in college. There will be sports teams to join, parties to go to, clubs you can be part of, and more. Most colleges are large enough to have something for everyone, so you're bound to find an activity you're interested in, whether that's a recreational hockey team, the student government group, a club focused on promoting renewable energy, and more.
There are also likely many more students at your college than there were at your high school, so your opportunities for making friends will multiply as well. However, you do need to make an effort to get the most out of these opportunities. Push yourself to try new things and strike up conversations with new people, and if you're feeling nervous, just remember that they're likely feeling the same way. Standard questions to ask new people you meet in college include: Where are you from? What dorm do you live in? What are you majoring in? Get ready to ask and be asked these questions a lot!
#13: It'll Be Harder to Stand Out
Once you start college, you won't be a big fish in a small pond anymore, and it'll be harder to stand out from the crowd. While in high school you may have been the star student/athlete/singer, in college you'll be surrounded by many talented classmates, many of whom were also the best at something in high school. Some students struggle with no longer automatically standing out, but there are plenty of benefits to this.
First, you'll be able to bond with other students who are also skilled at your talent. If you were, say, the star drama student at your high school, you may not hold the same position in college, but you can befriend all the other high school drama stars and create some awesome shows together.
Additionally, some students like the anonymity being a new college student brings. If you've been labelled as a jock or theater nerd for all of high school, going to college--where people don't know you--allows you to shed or alter that identity if you wish and try new things (or try the same things with less pressure).
#14: You'll Get Fewer Grades in Class
In high school, you probably had daily homework assignments you had to complete and got a grade for. These, along with some larger projects, quizzes, and tests made up your final class grade. If you got a low score in one, it was usually fine since there were plenty of other chances to make up for the low grade.
Once you start college, you may find that many classes have far fewer assignments, meaning you'll receive fewer grades and each of those grades are worth more. Instead of regular homework assignments and quizzes, many college classes are based only on a midterm grade and a final grade. This means you need to take those exams/papers/projects very seriously because if you mess up on one of them it'll be very hard to raise your class grade back to where you want it to be.
#15: You'll Be Doing Lots of Reading
You know those pictures of exhausted-looking students sitting next to a pile of textbooks they need to get through? That's how many college students feel. Expect to do lots of reading in college, including textbooks, journal articles, and literature. If you're majoring in a field like computer science or math you can expect less reading (and more homework), but you're still guaranteed to have at least a few classes where you're assigned to read a couple dozen textbook pages before the next class. You'll get to know your school's library very well.
Tips for Making the Transition From High School to College
Going from high school to college can be tough no matter how excited you are to start at your new school. Below are three tips to help make the transition easier.
Know There Will Be Changes
You've already taken one of the most important steps to prepare for transitioning from high school to college: you're expecting and preparing for the differences. When you know that the high school to college transition will bring major changes, you'll be more prepared for anything that comes your way.
Be Prepared for Some Bumps
Many movies about college make it seem like new college students immediately find a group of close friends, know exactly what they want to study, and have an awesome social life. In reality, it rarely works like this. Many new college students have moments where they feel awkward, lonely, and homesick. This is completely normal; after all you're making a major life change.
By managing your expectations of college and not expecting to love it right away, you can better manage the transition from high school to college and not end up disappointed when it takes a little while to feel comfortable.
Put Yourself Out There
When you first start college, there will be a lot of changes, and it'll be easy to hang out in your dorm room and text with your high school friends. However, you should resist this urge.
College is probably the best time you'll ever have to meet new people and try new things, so you should take full advantage. Keep your dorm room door open to meet your neighbors. Strike up a conversation with your chemistry lab partner. Join a club or sport you've never tried before. Not only will this make the transition from high school to college easier since you'll be meeting more people, you may discover a new friend or hobby.
What's Next?
Not sure which college you want to go to? Check out our guide on choosing the right college so you can make the best decision.
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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.
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14 Differences between High School and College
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What’s Covered:
- Academic Differences
- Social Differences
- How to Find the Best College for You
For many, college means transition. Most students who start their new lives as recent high school graduates find themselves in a bit of a limbo state. They’re technically adults, but many are still financially dependent on their parents. (And during the pandemic, they could well still be living with them every day, too.) For some, it’s the first time being away from home for a long period of time.
There’s no doubt starting college requires adjustment. You probably know that it’s not going to look the same as high school, in terms of your academics, social sphere, and many other aspects of your life. Just what will be different? Here are some of the main distinctions.
1. You have more freedom in choosing your classes (and greater variety).
You’ve probably wondered from time to time why it’s so important for you to take algebra or chemistry or world history. Here’s the good news: when you get to college, you’ll have much more leeway when it comes to choosing your courses. You’ll be able to declare a major and study a field you think you might want to pursue as a career. And you won’t have to spend much time on disciplines you dislike.
That doesn’t mean you won’t have any requirements. Many colleges have distribution requirements, meaning you’ll have to take a certain number of courses in other specified disciplines. Most majors have specific courses or general areas of courses you must take, too. And some colleges have core requirements, meaning all students are required to take specific classes as a term of their degree completion. But even the schools with the strictest requirements still tend to have far fewer than your high school curriculum.
If you really want to direct your own learning and have the fewest requirements possible, you may like open curriculum schools . These schools have no required courses, other than your major requirements and usually a writing seminar.
2. You’ll spend less time in class but likely more time studying.
Typically, a full-time college student takes about 15 credits per semester, with one credit equalling an hour of class time per week. That means you’ll only be in class for 15 hours per week, or an average of three hours per weekday. Some days, you may not have any classes at all.
That’s a far cry from high school, which you’ll usually attend for 6-7 hours per day. But don’t get too excited — you’ll also need to invest a lot more time studying and working on coursework outside of class than you did previously, given the rigor of these higher-level courses.
3. It may be surprisingly hard to wake up for that 9 am college class.
You may have found it difficult to get up in the morning in high school, but you probably had your parents telling you you had to. Plus, you had more structure in general. Even though young adults need less sleep than teenagers, according to the Sleep Foundation , the lack of rules and more freedom to make your own choices can make it difficult to get up for classes, even when they start later than your high school classes did.
It’s important to set rules for yourself about waking up on time and attending classes. This is critical for your own growth, as well as your grades. You could try to avoid early morning classes if you know you’re not a morning person, but don’t let the scheduling stop you from taking classes that interest you.
4. Classes may be longer but are usually less frequent.
In high school, your classes were probably around an hour, but you had them 4-5 times per week. In college, be prepared for long, less frequent classes. It’s not uncommon to see courses that meet once a week for three hours. Or, you might have classes that occur twice a week for an hour and a half per session (some subjects do meet more frequently and for less time, though).
You may find it difficult to sustain your attention for that long, so you should experiment with different methods to keep yourself alert. You’ll also need to put in the time to keep the content fresh during your days off from the course since you’ll have your classes less frequently.
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5. Attendance isn’t necessarily mandatory (but you should still go).
You probably won’t have instructors taking attendance, especially in your large lectures. This won’t necessarily always be the case though, particularly in smaller seminars; you may be given a certain number of absences before they begin to affect your grade because your presence is integral to the structure of the course.
Don’t use lack of attendance accountability as a reason not to go, however. For one, it will impact your grade, even if not directly — you’re missing out on learning the material, some of which may not be found in your textbook or LMS. You’re also wasting money, whether or not you’re paying full freight.
6. There are fewer assignments, but they matter a lot more.
Instead of frequent essays, quizzes, and tests, you may only have a handful of assignments per course during the semester. For example, in a math course, you could only have two midterms and a heavily-weighted final, while in a literature course, you might have three or four papers that comprise the majority of your grade.
Because it can be difficult to gauge an instructor’s expectations early on, and many freshmen have trouble adjusting to the new level of academic rigor, some professors will drop your lowest grade on equally-weighted assignments. This will give you a chance to make up your grade with other assignments. It’s also a good idea to visit instructors (virtually or in-person) during their office hours to get more guidance and ask questions.
7. It may be harder to get a 4.0.
You may have been #1 in your high school class, but when you get to college, you’ll be learning alongside hundreds or thousands of other excellent students, many of who also earned 4.0s. This will serve as a rude awakening for some, who are used to being the best in the class. And, because there’s no extra credit for advanced classes, you could dip below a 4.0 for earning a couple of A-’s and B+’s. That’s okay! It’s extraordinarily difficult to earn a 4.0 in college, especially if you’re attending a highly rigorous one.
8. It’s even more important to build relationships with instructors.
Developing strong relationships with teachers was important in high school for several reasons, including the fact that they’re the ones to write your college recommendation letters . In college, it’s even more critical to get to know your instructors.
For one, if you apply to graduate school or for fellowships, you’ll need faculty recommendations. Even you don’t, faculty can serve as lifelong mentors to previous students. And research shows that having an encouraging mentor increases your chances of engagement and success in work and life.
9. You will need to seek help on your own.
In high school, you may have had teachers reach out to you when you were struggling. But in college, you’ll need to be proactive about reaching out for help on your own. Sure, some professors might notice that you’re having trouble, especially in small classes, but usually, you’ll need to be the one to make the effort, whether that means going to office hours, emailing a question, or setting up a separate time to talk.
The good news is that many instructors will readily help you when you ask. They may even look more favorably upon you for being proactive and acknowledging that you need support. This is also a good way to share reasons why you’re having trouble, such as extra pandemic-related responsibilities at home. Your professor could be more willing to cut you some slack once they understand.
Social Life
1. you’ll have greater independence living away from home..
True, some students commute. But if you live on-campus, you’ll enjoy plenty of newfound independence, from what you eat to when you go to bed.
Be careful, though. You’ll likely find that you’ll need some kind of structure in your life, and it will have to be self-imposed — no one else is setting limits for you. An alarm is your friend. So is a schedule. Plus, you’ll also be responsible for doing more chores, such as laundry and cleaning.
2. There will be frequent events.
From speakers to club meetings and events to parties to concerts, there will be plenty to do on campus. While you may not have had to scramble to find ways to spend your time in high school, in many cases, there will be far more options in college.
3. You won’t have to travel far to see your friends.
Some of them might live in your dorm — or even be your roommates! Even those who don’t live in your building will be closeby, and you’ll share meals, activities, and more with them.
4. You’ll have more options for clubs and organizations to join.
Many colleges and organizations have clubs and organizations for practically any interest: arts, sports, religion, politics, activism, journalism, cultural heritage, and much more. And if you can’t find the club you’re looking for, you may even have the option of starting it yourself.
5. You’ll need to remind yourself to take time to enjoy yourself sometimes.
College is hard. With all the work you have to do, it can be easy to get caught up in studying. Of course, you should study — but don’t forget to enjoy yourself, too. College goes by quickly, and you don’t want to miss out on a great experience.
How to Find the Best-Fit College
Adjusting to college takes time and effort, but it helps if you find the right fit school for you. This depends on numerous factors, such as size, location, and the availability of your unique program.
Once you find the perfect fit, how do you know if you have a good chance of getting in? CollegeVine’s free chancing engine will estimate your real odds of admission to hundreds of colleges and universities all over the country — and offer tips to improve your profile. Give it a try to streamline your college strategy!
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High School Vs College: A Compare And Contrast
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