Having taught a first-year seminar class for college freshmen for several years, I
have noticed an ever-growing gap between the educational experience in high school
compared to the college learning environment. Many incoming college students are simply
unprepared to handle differences they find between college and high school.
To assist future college-bound students, here are the top 16 ways college is different
from high school.
|
In high school...
|
While in college...
|
|
Your teachers constantly remind you of due dates and upcoming tests and quizzes. |
Once the professor lists the dates on the course calendar or syllabus, he or she assumes
students are capable of obtaining this information on their own without the constant reminders. |
|
Students basically attend school every day for the same hours -- so there is quite a bit of
structure and sameness to your days. |
Classes typically meet only two or three times a week and students have large gaps between
classes, leading to very little structure -- and often a bit too much freedom that some
students cannot handle well. |
|
Students often spend time in class completing assignments to fill class time -- what some
students refer to as "busywork." |
The bulk of class time is spent taking notes or participating in discussions -- not completing
homework or other graded assignments. |
|
Teachers often teach to the test -- typically feeding students all the information
needed to study for exams. |
Professors often lecture about much more material than you'll ever be tested upon -- for the
sake of knowledge -- though you will still need to understand both what material will
be tested and the best way for you to study it. |
|
Many students could do very well academically by simply studying an hour or
two a week -- or by cramming for a test the night before. |
The best students cite the importance -- and need -- to study and prepare for classes on
a daily basis. The standard rule is students need to spend three hours of work outside of class
for every hour spent in class. |
|
Your teachers are both subject experts and trained educators and in theory
know the latest and greatest methods to teach the material. |
Your professors -- many of whom hold doctoral degrees -- are experts in their fields
and trained researchers (who must continue to publish to stay academically qualified to
teach), but their teaching methods and lecture styles may be completely different from
anything you have experienced. |
|
Your teachers keep a watchful eye on your progress and will contact
you or your family if your grades are faltering. |
Your professors may well be aware of your progress -- or lack of it -- but
most expect their students to initiate discussions about grades and/or seek
assistance -- all of which is done during your professor's office hours. |
|
Your reading assignments are fairly light, and some is
done in class -- whether through individual reading or lecturing
straight from the book. |
You can expect a very heavy load of reading -- all of it done outside of class.
Some of the reading may be discussed in class, but even without discussing it,
the professor may choose to test you on it. |
|
Students are often spoon-fed all the information, with a focus on
facts and memorization. |
Students are expected to think -- and learn -- beyond the facts to develop
complex understanding of information and theories from multiple sources. |
|
Students who are struggling can get extra credit for completing
additional assignments, improving your overall grade. |
Students who are struggling are encouraged to seek extra help
and tutoring, but very few college professors offer any type of extra credit. |
|
Students have to attend classes or get reported absent, often
with a telephone call to your family informing them of your absence. |
Students can choose to attend classes or not, often with no overt penalties from the
professor. Some professors DO take attendance, and some also have a
strict attendance policy. |
|
Your classes are generally small -- often with no more than 35
students in a class. |
Some of your general-education classes can range from 100 to 500 students (or more) --
or even be attended online. |
|
Students follow one of several tracks, and your guidance counselor
makes sure you are on the path to graduate. |
Students meet with an academic adviser once a semester, but the burden
to take the right classes and be on track to graduate is entirely in your hands. |
|
All your teachers are full-time employees of the school
(except for student-teachers) and must be state-certified. |
You'll have all sorts of teachers, from full-time faculty to adjunct (part-time)
faculty to graduate assistants (teaching assistants/TAs). |
|
Clocks and bells are everywhere, guiding you from one class
period to another -- perhaps even with warning bells -- and no
two classrooms are that far apart. |
You must manage your time and sometimes travel all the way across
campus within a short period to make it to your next class on time --
and there are no bells or clocks, and each professor goes by his or her own time. |
|
For students who are sick or otherwise excused, teachers will
often provide make-up exams. |
Few professors are willing to give make-up exams to students -- regardless of
the excuse. If you must miss a test -- for whatever reason -- it's your
responsibility to contact the professor to see what can be done. |
Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information
(definitions and links) on key academic terms by going to our
College Success Glossary.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen, CEO of 
