High School
vs College
There are a variety of ways in which high school and college differ, understanding these differences will help you prepare and achieve a smoother transition.
Class Time
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, you spend on average 6 to 8 hours each day, going from one class to the next. The school year tends to be 36 weeks long, with short breaks throughout for holidays and official breaks.
COLLEGE: In college, you will spend about 12 to 16 hours a week in class, usually with breaks in between. Class times are not limited to just morning hours, and many classes are offered in the evening. In most colleges/universities, the academic year is divided into two 15-week semesters, plus a week after each semester for exams. There is usually a winter break and a spring break, followed by exams. The spring semester usually ends in early May.
Class Size
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, classes generally have at most 35 students and are taught by teachers.
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COLLEGE: In college, the class may range from twenty to hundreds of students. Classes are usually taught by professors. At large universities, some classes may occasionally be taught by graduate assistants.
Responsibilities
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, parents and teachers tend to remind you of responsibilities, and guide you through setting priorities.
COLLEGE: In college, you will be responsible for what you do and don't do, as well as for the consequences of your decisions. In addition to studying, you may need to manage a budget, do your own laundry, and learn how to live in a whole new environment without a set structure; you must balance your responsibilities and priorities.
Graduation Requirements
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, students can graduate as long as they have passed all required courses with a grade of D or higher.
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COLLEGE: In college, students can graduate if their grade point average meets the departmental standard (usually a 2.0 GPA, which is a C or higher). Make sure to know about your college's academic probation process.
Grades
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, homework, quizzes, projects, and extra credit often raise students' overall grades if their test grades are low. Many assignments are averaged into the final grade.
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COLLEGE: In college, test grades usually carry significant weight in the final grade. Homework may be ungraded and extra credit might be available though not guaranteed. As a result, tests or papers are often the only grades students get in a class.
Exams
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, testing is frequent and covers small amounts of material. Teachers frequently conduct review sessions, pointing out the most important concepts. There may be more opportunities for makeup tests available.
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COLLEGE: In college, testing is infrequent (a particular course may have only 2 or 3 tests in a semester) and may cover large amounts of material. You are expected to read and organize the material to prepare for the tests. Professors may offer review sessions expecting you to come prepared with questions or makeup tests (for one of the exams). You must be prepared and on time for all exams.
Homework
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, you are told what you need to learn from assigned readings, and teachers remind you of assignments, due dates and check your completed homework.
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COLLEGE: In college, professors expect you to utilize the course syllabus (or outline), which tells you precisely what is expected of you, when assignments are due, and how you will be graded. It’s up to you to read and understand the assigned material before you attend the lectures. Professors may not always check completed homework, but they will grade your performance based on assignments or tests.
Studying
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, you are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed in class. You might study outside of class for as little as 2 hours a week for a test or not at all.
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COLLEGE: In college, you may be assigned lots of reading and writing, which may not be discussed in class. It is recommended that you study at least 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each hour in class to keep up with the coursework.
Time Management
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, your time is usually structured by others: teachers, administrators, coaches, and parents. In addition, there are teachers monitoring class attendance every day.
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COLLEGE: In college, you will need to manage your own time. It is up to you to get to class on time, do your work, and study. Some professors may not take roll, but they are still likely to know if you attended a class or not, especially at smaller colleges.
Teaching Style
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, teachers present material to help you understand the content in your textbooks and often write information on the whiteboard for you to copy in your notes.
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COLLEGE: In college, professors may provide short or lengthy lectures. The content in a presentation may consist of wordy slides, illustrations, graphs or a verbal discussion. It is extremely important that your are up to date on all assigned readings. You should focus on understanding content, so good notes are important to take.
Expenses
HIGH SCHOOL: In most cases, almost all of your living expenses are paid for. Your textbooks are likely provided at little or no cost, and you are not required to own a personal computer. You may need money for gas, special events, extracurricular activities, or trips.
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COLLEGE: You will need to pay for your college tuition, which varies for each campus, and pay for your textbooks and materials ($100-$500 per semester). If you live on campus, you will need to pay for housing and dining in advance of each semester. You will also need money to meet necessities, so be prepared! You may be eligible to apply for and recieve student discounts and scholarships, this is why it is very important that you apply for financial aid!
Academic Support
HIGH SCHOOL: In high school, teachers approach you if they believe you need help. They may check in on you regarding your academic progress.
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COLLEGE: In college, professors are usually open and helpful and hold scheduled office hours where you can meet with them one-on-one if you need assistance. Students also have resources like a Writing Center, tutoring services, and libraries at their disposal.
