How is College Different from High School?

There are many similarities between high school and college, as well as differences. They are both places of education that help students learn more and help achieve what they want to become. High school is required and a free place of learning, while college is optional and expensive.

In high school, there is a set time in which school is in session every day in school. For example, a high school can hold classes from 7 am to 2 pm, Monday through Fridays for nine months.

Students can plan their schedules around those days. In college, it’s the complete opposite. Students can take classes whatever time they want. If they have a job in the morning, they can enroll in classes at nighttime. High schools also have guidance counselors to help students determine what advanced core and elective courses they need to take. While in college, students are in charge of the responsibility to decide what classes they should take until graduation.

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If a student in college struggles to pick their classes, he or she will have to make an appointment with a course advisor.

Another difference is the teachers in high school and professors in college. High school teacher tends to be more cooperative with their students. Teachers are most likely to call student parents who may have missed class to ensure their student is up to date. On the other hand, professors rarely pay attention to students’ attendance and are unlikely to follow up and give students the notes they missed.

Instead, it will be the student's responsibility to get notes from a classmate. In addition, if students want one on one time with their professor, they would not be able to stay after class like in high school: they will have to make an appointment during the professor's office hours.

College and high school are also similar since they both are preparing students for careers in their futures. Grades are very important in both high school and college because they reflect students’ futures whether it’s for careers or a college they want to be accepted. In high school and college, the main objective is to learn and become more knowledgeable to help prepare for students’ future life. The courses you take in college are very similar to classes in high school, just more advanced. They both have textbooks, tests, homework, and final exams. Throughout the entire course teachers and professors are preparing students for the final exam, to advance to the next course.

To conclude, college is more challenging and complex than high school. College is a higher level of learning, that requires more time and effort. While high school gives students, the proper knowledge needed in order to survive college.