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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.

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#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.

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#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!

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#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.

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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.

Stressing over college applications? We're here to help! Our step-by-step guide breaks down the complete college application process from start to finish.

Worried about choosing a major on your college applications? Learn how to navigate the process and make an informed 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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Similarities Between High School Life And University Life

Today people are in the era of talents gathering, and a tectonic shift of ideas prosper in people’s mind. Education is undoubtedly playing an increasingly significant role in society where is shot through with keen competitions everywhere nowadays. It is firmly believed that high school life and university life are profound painstaking but pretty precious stages. As is known to all, high school life means a disaster for most of students when they are in high school days, for the simple reason that it is a cruel period and yet the first key stage that they have to face. Every year in June high school students have to attend college entrance examination, which more or less can determine where they are going to and which road they are going to choose. College entrance examination so far is the fairest competition in China. No matter who you are, where you come from, if you are competent enough, a fine university is waiting for you to attend. Of course, attending university does not assure students a bright future, but it is still a period for students to move forward in the sea of knowledge. As a matter of fact, university is a straight road to knowledge paradise. To speak without figure, high school life and university life both are vital for students to experience. University life seems to be more advanced or meaningful for most students as it is a period that students firstly leave home and live independently as well as learn to study in different yet effective ways.

Why College Is Important to Me

Education as a whole has been the key to the future and provides to the students with skill that they could not get anywhere. The new age has clearly shown us that education is a vital ingredient for a person’s future. Education has shown that one who studies further has a better lifestyle and will be highly respected, but what education cannot do is offer everyone the opportunity to succeed. Only a few students can take advantage of education; because if suddenly

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The hallways full of lockers, teachers, and students is the start to any academic future, despite the differences high school and middle school bring. High school and middle school have many differences, some not as large as others. From decorated middle school lockers, to the red and black cardinal spirited lockers at the high school, is just one tiny difference between the two (BE10). Major differences include the homework given, how intense high school sports are, and more classes available in high school than middle school. Among the many differences, high school is brought to another level of expectations, requirements, and responsibility. To anyone thinking high school is just something to float on by, will have a rude awakening soon to arise.

Should Students Be Required To Stay In School At 18

Learning and graduating should be a top priority for high school students. In some countries, children do not even have the chance to learn. In fact, according to BBC, there are about 57 million children, in the world today, who do not have a school to go to. The students that are able to attend school should be grateful that they live in such a place. In addition, the standard school subjects can teach much more than the actual subject. For instance, some common reads that high schoolers in the United States read are Shakespeare’s plays and those plays have many life

Entering A College Essay

Being able to continue a higher education by entering a college is a significant social concern on both competence and equity grounds. The actuality of socio economic barriers which obstruct youngsters from lower income families from continuing their education limits their potentials and capabilities, therefore restraining the growth in economy, and likewise it also raises people’s concerns about opportunity equality. Entering a college is considered to be a big part of our lives. With college (a higher education), there will be more job opportunities choices for us to choose from in the future. It will be the beginning of a better career path for us as compared to those people who did not study in a college. Also, with a higher education level, we will be paid with higher salary as compared to those who did not complete their college. Having a higher education means that we will widen our knowledge and skills, and at the same time also enhance our character and personality. Studying in a college give us the chance to interact and meet new friends with different backgrounds which allows us to learn new things. We will also have a bigger scope of our surroundings, increasing our understanding for the country and community. Hence, we can see that having a higher education will only give us benefits. A person’s ability to join a college depends on many different factors such as Parent’s level of education, grades, family income, gender and race. All these factors have influence

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Comparing My Life After High School

Everyone human being lives their own lives, each experiencing different situations and encounters, which shape and influence their choices, intern their lives. These lives lived are thought to be ordinary, normal, nothing special or distinctive about them, but compared to others they might not seem so bland after all. Ordinary goes hand in hand with normal, standard, and average. Each of these words opposites of the extraordinary and abnormality.

The Idea Of Higher Education Analysis

The big question we ask ourselves in high school is “what do I do next?”. Some students choose to go onto higher education, such as college or university. Meanwhile, others choose to go straight to work or join the armed forces. In high school, we are coddled; but when we take our first steps after graduation, we are expected to be independent. Although it is known that attending a higher education facility is difficult, the purpose of higher education is to create a prepared mind.

Purpose Of College Education

The college experience improves the student experience because of the meet with people from different parts. It provides a more understanding of the society and the current event. Education enhances individual’s reputation and social image with a strong education foundation. College education has improved social equity in the society. For individuals without a fortunate background, education provides an equal platform with their counterparts (Selingo, 2013). Ultimately, education improves the human life by teaching the younger generation the significance of knowledge, skills, values, and customs. During the college life, individuals face different challenges. However, these challenges enable the graduates to discover their weaknesses and strengths.

Comparison of High School and College

I could go on and on about how many similarities high school and college have, but I’d rather interest you in their differences. The three main differences between these two educations are homework, tests, and rules of attendance. I would personally prefer college over high school any day.

Hearing the words “high school” does not seem as a life impacting word. When hearing that word, majority of people take it as a series of grade levels or a step closer to college. But little do they realize, who they were in middle school is not the same person they are in high school. Mainly because with middle school and high school comes many differences and similarities. For example, honor students may have the sample amount of homework, where appearance and friends change throughout the years.

Differences Between Secondary School Life And University Life

Graduation from secondary school is the end of education or a start for a new stage of education? There are four education stages for a student, which are early childhood education, primary education, secondary education and tertiary education. Most of the students choose to further their studies in tertiary institutions after they graduated from secondary school, either in local universities or private colleges. They assume that secondary school life is the same as university life because both have the similarity in study. However, secondary school life and university life are different in terms of the environment, the timetable arrangement, and the nature of learning.

The Difference between University and School

Why do I think that university and school have a lot of differences, the most important point which make me realize that thing is the way of studying. When you are in school you do not need to organize anything by yourself. You can just follow your teachers’ requirements. However, in university it is quite different. Chinese teacher allow you to recite you essays and ancient poetries and ask you to rewrite them the other day. At the same time, accompanied with a great number of vocabularies which are waiting for you to remember, there are a lot of questions regarding to math, chemistry and physics. Although they make you feel tired and bored, you should finish your homework everyday. You keep studying all the time under your teachers' construction. However when you enter university you can find it surprising that teachers seldom assign homework and request you to do something. If you don't want to waste your time, you need to be self-monitor and fix up your time correctly. Besides this point, the

The Differences Between High School And University

At first, in high school, student should follow the school regulation, which is that students must wear their school uniform, students should go to school at 7:50 a.m. and so on. Additionally, high school students spend their time in studying for going to the university so many students study hard in a desk in most of the time. Furthermore, in numerous cases, high school is located nearby students’ home. Thereby, students live in their house and they can commute form their house to their high school. On the contrary, in the university, there are no strict school rale for student to follow. On this account, even if students are late in classes, no one rebukes them and call them about their being late in the university. Also, students spend their time in doing many things including studying; students participate in club activities and volunteer work, take part in the festival, take a trip, and do leisure activity like watching a movie and musical. As the same time, the university is far from students’ house, so that students live apart from their own family. Then, students can develop sense of independence and responsibility and can sometimes feel a sense of

The Achievement Of Higher Education

The achievement of higher education dates all the way back to the 13th century where students of ages between 13 and 16 would go to ‘school’. Many people have come to argue that education is not required to succeed in life. While others believe that it is an essential aspect for an individual in order to survive. Plenty of people comment that going to college is nothing but a tradition that one follows. Another handful of persons share the opinion that attending college is simply an option because one can survive without any further education. The function of college in the 21st century is to capacitate, train, and educate those in search of opportunities in higher education. For many people, college should be preparing students for any situations in the real world, educating pupils who are not, and offering opportunities for those who are seeking such. However, many citizens believe that college has only become an obstacle for those who are in search of further completion. Due to constant political and economic changes, college has been routed into a fixed direction; nevertheless, students are not being fully prepared, creation of stressful environments, and making the price of education nearly unaffordable.

St. Participation Rate Of The Sampling

The result showed that attending ST after school is not rare, but common for the junior middle school students in urban China and the reasons for this “fever” might be various. The most important reason is that in many Asian countries, especially in East Asian, where adopted the examination-oriented education system heavily, there are school entrance examinations which determines students’ qualification in entering to the higher levels of study. And the importance of these examinations maybe sometimes exaggerated by the school teachers, parents and the whole society, which causes substantial pressures to the students (Jayachandran, 2014; Kwok, 2004). The junior middle school students who face the high school entrance examination in China usually have a very heavy burden in learning and exercising with lots of homework given by the teachers, and in order to get the limited places in entering to prestigious schools, they have to compete with their peers in examinations. Meanwhile, given the fact of the examinations’ importance, the majority of the parents in developing countries is less educated to afford children with their own guidance in learning as well as practicing, thus supplementary become popular in these countries such as China (Jayachandran, 2014).

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High school has impacted my life in so many ways. High School taught me so many things, from personal relationships to creating a relationship with my education. As a freshman, I made a huge amount of mistakes and I regret doing foolish things, but I’ve realized, I was only maturing into the young adult I am today. Freshman year, I was out of focus and I was only trying to find myself. I would also prioritize other things and ignore my parent’s advice, where they would tell me to focus in school and give it my full attention.

Argumentative Essay: Is A College Degree Worth It?

Finally, it can be an obvious inference that someone that chose to continue their education post high school will be more intellectual and worldly than someone that ended their education after 12th grade. College gives you an opportunity to widen your experiences in your desired field. When I look at the list of pros and cons that comes with going to college, it is easy for me to see that the pros definitely outweigh the cons. The benefits that come with a college degree will carry you further in life than you would go if you chose to opt out of a post-secondary

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Felicia Anane English Composition 1 Personal Narrative Essay 09/30/17. Attending College Nowadays people like to improve themselves in terms of education. People always learn about good or bad things that go around the world.

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Lastly, college will help me learn how to be on my own. I will gain responsibility because I no longer have my parents by my side to cook my meals, clean my room and clothes, or wake me up every morning to go to class. I will be exposed more to life as an adult while making new friends and exploring my interests. In college, there can be many distractions like parties, but I will have to concentrate and study instead of going out. I want to get the best education I can for myself

More about Compare/Contrast Essay: High School Life Or College Life?

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  • Agent Resources
  • Current Students

high school life vs university life essay

4 differences between school and university life (and tips on how to adjust!)

differences between school and university

If you’re close to finishing school and considering enrolling in a degree, you might be wondering: what are the main differences between school and university life?

On your first day of university, you’ll be entering a whole new learning environment. To begin with, universities are generally much bigger with thousands of students, plus you also have more choices to make, and more responsibilities, too.

If you’re moving away from home for the first time to attend university, you’re going to have to adjust to independent living. But, don’t panic, you’ll pick it up much faster than you expect.

Here are 4 big differences between school and university life that will take adjusting to, with a few tips from our  University of Adelaide College  students and graduates:

1. Learning independently vs. managed learning

“First thing first, no one is going to yell at you if you don’t do your assignments or when you decide to skip lectures. It is all on you. You are in charge and responsible for your uni life as an adult. You won’t be forced to do anything, but it will always be beneficial to your learning if you do it.” –  Charmian Lam (Hong Kong SAR, Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science graduate, University of Adelaide)

differences between school and university

Charmain Lain

At university, you’re expected to take responsibility for your own learning. Unlike school, there will be no-one checking that you’ve done your homework, reminding you when assignments are due, or making sure you show up to your lectures. It’s up to you, how and when you want to learn.

high school life vs university life essay

2. Flexibility and choice vs. a set curriculum and schedule

“At university, students have more chances to choose how and when they want to learn. The same course will have different class times, so students can choose the appropriate time based on their schedule. Take me for example: I do not like attending morning classes, especially during winter, so I always choose class times that are in the afternoon.” Wenhan Wu (China, Bachelor of Teaching graduate, University of Adelaide)

differences between school and university

Wenhan Wu (second from left)

At school, you have a strict structure determined for you. School goes from 9am until 3pm every day, your lunch is at the same hour, you have a set class and you don’t have any choice over it. At university there is much more flexibility about your choice of electives, class times, the type of resources you have access to and sport and social groups you can join!

high school life vs university life essay

3. Managing your own life vs. living with parents

“Learn to cook. You will find cooking is an essential skill when you go abroad. Find a reliable agency when you look for a place to live. And don’t forget to read the contract carefully before you sign it.” Wenhan Wu (China, 3 rd year, Bachelor of Teaching graduate, University of Adelaide).

For a lot of students, starting university also means moving out of the family home, and even to a different country altogether. Not only are you getting used to a different class structure and learning style, but you also need to learn how to run your own household, and even master a new language.

high school life vs university life essay

4. Academic staff vs. school teaching

“The lecturers are always there to provide help and support. However, if there is no one available, never hesitate to go online and look for answers. Google is your friend but a lecturer is your best friend when it comes to fully understanding your course.” Charmain Lam (Hong Kong SAR, Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science graduate at the University of Adelaide).

At school, your teacher is very involved in your education. They report to your parents, know you well, and regularly give you feedback. At university, it’s a whole different story. Lecturers may have hundreds of students, and they won’t necessarily know your name.

high school life vs university life essay

Top tips to help you adjust to university life

“Always ask teachers for help or advice if needed. No matter if it is about study or life. They are the most reliable and trustworthy people around you.” Wenhan Wu (China, 3 rd year, Bachelor of Teaching, University of Adelaide).
“Join social clubs at your uni. It’s an easy way to get to know more people and be engaged in different activities. You will not regret joining one!” Charmian Lam (Hong Kong SAR, Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science graduate, the University of Adelaide).

The move from school to university takes some adjusting, particularly if you’re moving overseas to study.

Here are some top tips on how to make that process just a little bit easier for yourself:

high school life vs university life essay

If you are considering studying in Australia, it’s a good idea to do an  English Language Program , before you begin your degree.  The programs will enable you to communicat e with confidence and obtain essential language skills necessary for academic study in Australia , in a supportive environment.

At  the University of Adelaide College , you can learn academic English and study introductory subjects for your University of Adelaide degree. You will have support staff to help you through your transition, as well as a range of additional resources (like English tutoring). As the classes are smaller, you will receive more individual attention which is a great stepping stone to independent learning.

high school life vs university life essay

You will need to learn to learn  time management skills , because your schedule is up to you now! A calendar and a study schedule are key to managing your independent workload. Find out  how to develop a study schedule that actually works, here.

high school life vs university life essay

You can make your life easier with the help of technology. Put all your assignments into a Google calendar or other calendar app, and insert reminders two weeks before the due date, so you’re well prepared.  A ‘to do’ list app  is also a great help when you’re trying to order your priorities.

high school life vs university life essay

Make sure you regularly look at your online student portal for notifications and updates.

high school life vs university life essay

Always ask for help from your tutors, lecturers ,  or student services if you feel overwhelmed. At the University of Adelaide College,  student services  can  help you  with anything relating to your studies including any challenges or concerns you have.  Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything at all.

high school life vs university life essay

At the University of Adelaide College, we want to make sure you have the right support to make the most of your study experience with us.  Our   student services team  are here to offer any academic guidance you may need.   

College vs. High School: Differences and Similarities

students throwing their graduate caps up on a lawn

Many students can’t wait for high school to end and college to start which is associated with freedom, friends, living without parents and a chance to take control over your life. Most people admit that in college they’ve entered adult life.

We won’t talk about adulthood here – as it’s not the time for tedious matters – we are going to compare the differences and similarities of life in high school and college instead. What should you expect from each? What are the main challenges of each? Is college academically hard? Let’s go straight to business.

Comparing Two Milestones of Student Life

So, you want to move out of your parents’ house as quickly as possible to have fun and attend parties, as you’ve heard these are the only things college students do. However, this is not actually true.

Obviously, there are a lot of differences between studying in high school and in college. To help you figure out what they are, we’ve prepared the lists that are divided into categories determined by different spheres and aspects of both academic levels.

Studying Process

While high school studying process might seem difficult, many students find studying in college more challenging due to lack of self-motivation.

High School:

  • You attend all the scheduled classes
  • You have a lot of classes a day
  • You are obligated to be in school and do your homework
  • You schedule your classes the way you want
  • You choose classes which you long to learn
  • Attending classes and completing assignments are your responsibility
  • You spend most of your time on homework
  • Commonly your course grade is defined by one single exam or assignment

You might be also interested to know more about the differences between high school and college finals.

Lifestyle and Social Sphere

It’s hard to be objective when it comes to comparing college vs. high school social life because getting into a college can be too overwhelming to keep a clear mind. Parties, adulthood, numerous new friends, tight budget, anxiety, new everyday routine – all of these things are like an avalanche for a freshman.

High school:

  • You need to get up early in the morning to be able to get to school right on time for your first class
  • You live with your parents
  • You know everyone in your class
  • You have a schedule assembled by your teachers and parents
  • Studying at home for 2-4 hours a week might be enough – the rest of your spare time you spend as you wish
  • You try to look “cool” and often feel embarrassed
  • You get to know a lot of new people from different parts of the country (or the world)
  • You can stay up all night – anyway, getting up the next day will be only your problem
  • You can schedule your weeks as you want to
  • You spend less time in class, but you have to study more in the dorm or in the library
  • You can visit events and parties without someone’s permission
  • Everyone is too busy to pay attention to your outfits
  • Establishing a friendship with your roommate is highly recommended

Teachers and Professors

It’s not a secret that most of the time in college you spend on trying to force yourself to complete your assignment. You will also need to learn how to contact your professor and how to find his or her office hours in a gigantic schedule.

  • Teachers closely follow the books
  • Teachers help to be right on time with all of your assignments
  • Teachers try to motivate and engage you
  • Teachers provide you with assigned material
  • Professors follow the books they wrote and academic works or personal experience
  • No one will hunt you down for attendance, but you will have problems if you skip the classes
  • You are the only one who can motivate yourself – it’s not your professor’s business
  • Professors treat you like a grown-up and expect responsible and deliberate behavior from you

Food is almost the last thing a student thinks about when imagining studying in college. But it’s a very significant issue which almost in all cases requires basic cooking skills.

  • Your parents provide you with healthy dishes
  • You can eat in a school cafeteria during a school year
  • You rarely or never cook for yourself

Just find something more nutritious than a pack of chips. These Tricks for Cooking Healthy College Meals on a Budget can help you.

So, we’ve already defined some differences between these two life stages. Let’s make an overall comparison of student life in high school and college.

College vs. High School

Life in college has so many opportunities, which were banned for students during high school years. But it is also accompanied by many difficulties students face for the first time in their lives.

High School

  • You don’t know what time-management is
  • You need to learn how to take care of a plant in your room
  • Teachers try to encourage you to learn
  • You are banned from many events
  • You wish you had more spare time
  • You are anxious about specialization choice
  • Sometimes you lie you’re sick
  • Everyone attend high-school because they are obligated to
  • You think that college level is the end of learning
  • You believe that tests are the worst part of studying
  • You think that college students spend the whole time at the parties
  • You can’t wait to get into a college
  • You wish you were older
  • You need to work on your time management skills
  • You need to learn how to plan your budget
  • You need to learn how to take care of yourself
  • Self-motivation is your main task
  • Parties are not as fun as one says
  • Studying takes a lot of spare time
  • You choose college classes which you are interested in
  • You have no time to be sick
  • Those who attend college do that because they want to and chose to
  • You know that you have a lot more things to learn after college graduation
  • You need to perform actually in-depth researches
  • You think that high-school students are kids
  • You can find a part-time job
  • You need to learn how long human can live without sleep

Stacey Wonder

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High School Versus University: A compare/contrast essay

high school life vs university life essay

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Challenges in College , Getting Into College

High School vs College Life: Fun Must-Know Differences

Updated: October 13, 2023

Published: August 30, 2019

High-School-vs-College-Life

There are some very big differences between high school and college life. Both are fun in their own ways and both have unique experiences to offer you. But there is no denying that there are some fun and important differences between the two in terms of social life, academics, and sports. Finally, one of the biggest differences is how much more you are in control of everything. We’ll go over all of these differences here, and get you the lowdown on high school vs college life.

How Different Are College and High School?

In short, they are extremely different. In college, you can create your own future and your own identity. You get an entirely new social group and newfound independence. You are in full control of who you become.

College is unlike high school, where your identity and reputation has remained the same for a while. You choose your classes and can study anything and you are treated as an adult in those classes. So say goodbye to cliques, set schedules, and mandatory classes, and say hello to choice and independence.

Welcome to college!

High School vs College: Academics

From homework to class time to exams to teacher-student relationships, high school vs college life has its differences.

1. Time Spent in Class and Attendance

Your professor likely won’t be taking attendance, and even if they are, it’s up to you if you want those participation points or not. Your involvement in the class is also voluntary. Your teacher will not call on you like they did in high school, and it’s up to you if you want to do the bare minimum on projects and assignments or really take the time to learn and grow in a subject. Your relationship with professors is also up to you. You can choose to get to know them for networking, or choose to be an (almost) anonymous student in the crowd.

Many students studying at a college library

Photo by  Pixabay  from  Pexels

2. the workload.

Truthfully, college courses and materials will be more challenging than in high school. But that does not mean it is more challenging to succeed. Some even say college is easier than high school! Exams can be long, writing assignments are frequent, and there are more debates and discussions. Just study hard and be sure of what the teacher is assigning and you’ll be fine.

3. Grades and Graduation

It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are getting the grades you want. There will be no one to remind you of deadlines, or to push you harder. If you want a bit of a push, try to join a study group in your major or classes but ultimately, it’s still your choice whether to succeed or not in college. Graduating on time is also under your control. You need to make sure that you are both taking and passing the classes you need to graduate from your program on time.

4. Textbooks and the Readings

In high school, textbooks are given to you, but in college they are very expensive. However, you will definitely get your money’s worth, because college is all about textbook reading. Expect to be assigned several chapters of a textbook per week, in addition to research papers, opinion pieces, and other types of books.

5. Class Size, Style and Variety

During college, you will be challenged, but in a good way. You will feel that your mind is being opened in a way that you enjoy, as there is much less rote work in college. In addition, you will finally be studying exactly what you want to study. In the first few years you may find yourself in larger classes, but they will get smaller as courses become more specialized.

At University of the People , as well as with many other flexible, online schools, the most fun part of college academic is the freedom you have to complete classes. You can arrange your flexible coursework for whenever works for your schedule. So whether you are a parent that is struggling to have a healthy work-life balance while you study, or just someone who wants to enjoy the best of all worlds during school- UoPeople is a great choice for you!

High School vs. College: Your Life Won’t Look the Same

University of the People student studying at library

Photo by  Giftpundits.com  from  Pexels

One of the most fun but also scariest differences in high school vs college life is that you are in the driver’s seat. You are in complete control of your time, your schedule, and your study habits. This can be a fun change because you are finally free to study and organize your day in a way that is best and most productive for you. On the flip side, this can backfire if you don’t organize your time well , or don’t implement enough self discipline.

1. Dorm Life and Roommates

Whether you are living on campus, off campus, or in the Greek community, chances are you will be cohabiting your room or living space with others in college. This is a great opportunity to learn to live with others, make the best friends of your life, and have an amazing support system. If you didn’t choose your roommates or housemates (or even if you did), keep an open mind and establish rules in the beginning.

2. Healthy Lifestyle and What to Eat

Worried about the freshman 15? While it can be tempting to eat whatever you want during college, and hard to stay on top of your health due to a busy schedule, staying healthy and fit is possible. Take advantage of your school gym or intramural leagues, and make the decision to eat healthy by making good food choices and avoiding too many tempting delivery and dessert options.

3. Time Management

In high school, your family members, teachers, and coaches had much more say in your schedule. Now you are on your own and need to learn how to manage your time. Create a weekly calendar for yourself with due dates and events, and make sure to review and update the calendar often.

4. Adulting: Responsibility and Independence

You are now an adult living on your own. That means increased independence and increased risks. It’s up to you to make responsible choices about drinking, drugs, intimacy, academics, and time management. There will be temptations in college to stray from your main purpose of getting an education. Create a strong social support for yourself to help you in college, and start each year with the right intentions.

You will also be forced to be either more or completely financially independent. Try to set up a budget as soon as possible that fits with your income and your lifestyle. Speak with your financial aid advisor at the beginning of college and whenever possible throughout to make sure you are doing what you can to either reduce tuition or quality for financial aid. You might need to find part-time work to make ends meet while you are in school as well.

High School vs College: Social Life

New school, new friends, new you! College is a whole new way to meet people and to make new, lasting friendships.

Four students and a dog enjoying a social break from school

Photo by  Helena Lopes  from  Pexels

1. new friends = diverse social life.

In college, you will gain so many new friends — from your new living or studying spaces, from classes, extracurricular activities, and part-time work. This leads to a much richer social life than the one you may have had during high school. Your social calendar will be much more varied as well. With new things added such as club meetings, new volunteer opportunities, study groups and greek or dorm events if you choose to live on campus.

2. More Social Opportunities

Your more jam-packed calendar will lead you to meet countless people, and those people will introduce you to more people! You will have endless opportunities to meet others and will constantly be forming new friendships until you find the ones that stick.

3. More Student Diversity

College is full of students of more varied backgrounds than the classmates you spent your high school years with. In high school, you are all from the same area and are all of the same age. In college, you will meet people who came from all over the country, as well as international students from across the globe. There will be students much older than you, as well as people with differing opinions and backgrounds than your own.

4. Multiple Social Groups

Due to your varied social experiences in college, you will end up with multiple social groups — one of the reasons your calendar is so full! Make the best of all these new social experiences while you can and don’t be overwhelmed. You will soon get into your groove and find the groups that you really click with and topics you are truly passionate about that will stay in your life past college.

5. Student-Teacher Relationship: Being Treated as an Adult

At very large universities, you will no longer be able to see your teacher as your friend, or someone who knows you personally. In high school, you see your teachers in small groups every day, and for years throughout the school grounds. A personal relationship usually develops. That is not often the case in college — but use this to your advantage! The fact that not everyone has a personal relationship with professors makes it that much more unique and beneficial to you if you do. Get to know your professors from the start, and what research they are doing or what projects they have been a part of and see if you can get involved somehow. Never too early to start networking!

6. Try to Stand Out to Make New Friends

First of all, it will be harder to stand out in college, simply because there are so many more people there than in high school, and everyone has a wide range of interests and talents. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Put yourself out there, share who you are, and stand out in your own way and you’ll be rewarded with friends who share your interests and values.

High School vs College: Sports

Whether you are a player or a fan, there are some fun differences in college sports.

Student athletes ready for football kickoff

Photo by  football wife  from  Pexels

1. school spirit.

This one will of course depend on the high school and the college you attend. Some colleges don’t have sports teams, but if yours does, be ready for some fun! College sports becomes a big part of social life and the school spirit experienced in college is unavoidably contagious. Even if you are not a sports fan, you might get wrapped up in cheering for your school, or feeling pride with a big win. In addition, college sports are something that people of all ages attend, so you might continue your fandom and game attendance for years after you graduate college.

2. Being a Player

If you already play in high school and are looking to play college sports, make sure you know what you are getting into. Being on a college sports team is much more similar to a part-time job than an extracurricular in terms of commitment, effort and time. Playing in college is a big deal and a serious decision. Being on a sports team in college can also lead to bigger things such as being drafted for a national team, or coaching.

Prepare Yourself for Transition

Blackboard with message about success

Photo by  Gerd Altmann  from  Pexels

1. does high school prepare students for college.

Unfortunately, most people say that no, high school doesn’t prepare you for college academically or socially. You may be in for quite a surprise your first quarter of college, but remember you’re not alone — many freshmen students have a rocky start to college. If you took AP or IB classes in high school, you may be better equipped for college because you know what to expect academically.

2. Is College Easier Than High School?

College can be easier than high school in certain ways. While yes, it is more academically challenging, there are several things that make college easier than high school. First of all, you are taking less classes and therefore have less due dates and class material to keep track of. You also get a clearly detailed syllabus with class schedule, timeline, grade explanations, and student expectations in the first week, so you know exactly how the semester will go. You can plan ahead and be prepared for every class. Finally, college is easier because you are studying topics that interest you and you are naturally more motivated to study those topics of interest.

3. Is College Better Than High School?

Absolutely — college is the best time of many people’s lives. You are independent for the first time, you get to choose your classes, your social life, and your schedule. This is all very different from high school, where most things are chosen for you, and you have been with the same people and had the same reputation for some time.

In conclusion, high school vs college life does have many differences, but most of them are positive differences. After you graduate high school , you are ready for anything if you put your mind to it!

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Seven differences between high school and university

Student's walking through campus.

If you’re in high school and planning to go to university, you might be unsure about what you’ve signed up for. What is university going to be like? How will I find my classes? How many people are going to be in my class?

These are all valid questions, and we had them too before starting at Waterloo. So, for answers to these questions and many more, look no further. Here are some of the biggest differences between university and high school.

You're in charge of yourself

At my high school, if I didn’t show up to a class, my mom would get a phone call and I’d get a “talking-to.” However, in university, there’s no attendance list. Whether or not you show up is up to you — but remember, you’re paying for the class whether you attend or not.

Some classes will take attendance as part of a participation mark, but for the most part, nobody is holding you accountable to show up for class.

It’s your choice to attend class and do your work — not your professors' and not your parents’. Nobody is going to tell you to do that assignment — it’s up to you to get it done!

This freedom can be exciting, but remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Not being hounded to go to class and do your work can often present a challenge, especially for a master procrastinator.

But don’t worry too much, soon after starting school you’ll get an understanding of what works for you and how you can motivate yourself to get work done.

It can be challenging to figure out a new schedule, create a budget , and figure out transportation, but don't worry, lots of other first-year students are going through this at the same time — and you’ll figure it out in due time.

Students studying together.

Independent learning

In university, you’ll do a lot of learning outside of regular class hours. Readings and assignments are just as important as the content covered in lectures.

For some classes, you’ll be in a classroom for only three hours a week, but you’ll spend much more time doing readings on your own. This can be hard to get used to!

When I was in high school, all new content was covered in class and homework was only to reinforce what I already learned. When I got to university and started doing learning on my own, I found it difficult. However, by now, I'm used to it, and I actually like doing some independent learning.

Flexible schedule

Whether you went to a semestered or non-semestered high school, you probably had school during the same time, every day of the week.

In university, you'll no longer have a set time for school and you'll often have lots of time between classes.

I love having gaps between my classes because they're the perfect time to grab a meal, hang out with friends, get involved with  Waterloo's clubs and sports , and study. You have flexibility with how you want your week to look like.

You know exactly when all your tests and assignments are due

Imagine knowing exactly when each assignment is due, each test and each project, for the entire course on the first day of school.

Well, this is exactly what a course syllabus tells you, and right on your first day of class, you know exactly when everything is due for the next four months. This really helps you plan out your term — and getting a giant calendar planner to hang in your room really becomes important!

Distance between classes

Students walking on campus.

Moving from elementary school to high school, I remember how exciting it was to be able to switch classrooms at the end of class. But now, rather than moving from classroom to classroom, you will likely be going from building to building between classes.

In high school, most classes are in one building. At Waterloo (and most other universities), classes are spread out in buildings all over campus! This can be difficult for the first little while — I know that I got lost more than I care to admit! However, during your first week at Waterloo there will be people stationed around campus to help you get around, and the school has some impressive signage.

But honestly, I still get lost sometimes when I’m going to a building or classroom I’ve never been to before. Now, getting lost doesn't faze me (all part of the adventure!), but if I’m going somewhere new, I always give myself a few extra minutes to get there!

All that to say, you'll definitely get in a lot more walking and even get the chance to ride your bike around campus.

Services to help you succeed

One thing that really surprised me when coming to university was that you get a lot of resources to help you with your transition, such as  Waterloo Ready which is held every summer.

There are not only free academic tutoring sessions, but there are many  Waterloo services ranging from counselling to academic advisors and mentorship programs , which can really help you succeed.

Student talking with someone

The friends you meet will change you

Okay, so although I never technically became friends with the campus geese, I did get to know some of the most amazing people from across the country and around the world.

Before university, pretty much all my friends were from my hometown. I get to university, and all of a sudden I’m meeting people from towns I’ve never even heard of. It’s wonderful to meet so many new people. Your horizons will widen so fast that you might feel like a completely different person within the first month at school.

You may miss some of your friends from high school, but in university, you'll be amazed at how much more diverse your atmosphere can become.

I made friends from all over the world within the first few days of university, which is something that you'll need to leave high school to really experience.

Students smiling and laughing together.

More ways to get involved

University populations are much larger than those of high schools. At your high school, you’re likely used to hundreds of students. At university, there are thousands.

Sometimes large student populations can be intimidating, but, if you ask me, I think the more students, the better! More students makes for so many more opportunities to get involved and have fun. Clubs, societies, and school events are just some of the things that are positively impacted by having lots of students on campus.

At your high school you probably have some clubs, some sports teams, and one main student government. At Waterloo, we have  200+ clubs , six faculty societies, 30 varsity sports teams, dozens of intramural sports teams.

Two volleyball players cheering

As you can likely imagine, our club variety is huge. The Waterboys, Coffee n' Code, Culture and Language Exchange Club, DJ Club, and Humans vs. Zombies are just a few of our clubs. 

If you can’t find a club you like, or have a great idea for a new club, you can create your own with the help of Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), our student government.

At Waterloo, we have both  varsity and intramural sports . Our varsity sport selection is large with 19 sports and 32 teams, ranging from badminton to rugby.

If you’re looking for something with less commitment, try an intramural sport! Some popular intramural sports are dodgeball, squash, and volleyball.

Student government

The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association is the student union for all undergraduate students. Our faculty societies are similar, but are small and specific to each of our six faculties (Arts, Engineering, Environment, Health, Math, and Science). As well, there are dozens of program societies where you can meet people in your major.

Faculty and program societies hold events, offer services, clubs, and even free food! Joining a faculty society is a great way to meet people with similar interests as you and start networking.

If you asked me whether I enjoyed high school or university more, I would without a doubt say university. The experiences and opportunities you gain during your undergraduate program are beyond imaginable and incomparable to high school. It's definitely a journey!

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Compare/contrast high school life and university liife

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People living in large cities today face many problems in their everyday life. What are these problems? Should governments encourage people to move to smaller regional towns?

In many places, large chain stores are taking over the marketplace, making it impossible for small businesses to compete with them. what are the advantages and disadvantages of this situation, many museum charge for admission while others are free. do you think that advantages of charging people for admission to museums outweigh the disadvantages, children are experiencing increasing educational, social, and commercial pressures. what are the causes what measures do you think can be taken to reduce them, the world of work is rapidly changing and employees cannot depend on having the same work or the same work conditions in life. discuss the possible causes and suggest ways to prepare for people to work in the future..

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The Transition from High School to University Writing

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To meet the expectations of university writing, you will need to unlearn rules you may have learned in high school. Those rules may have helped you to plan and write your essays by providing a ready-made structure you could fit your ideas into. But continuing to rely on these rules will limit your freedom to develop more sophisticated arguments and a more mature style.

Here are some important differences between high school rules and university expectations:

Essay Structure

Thesis Statement

Introduction and Conclusion

Presentation

Here are the overall differences between the two institutions in philosophy and approach:

Similarities Between School Life And University Life

high school life vs university life essay

Show More School Life V University Life: School life V University life, two of the most important experiences in every person life. School is known as the preparation for university; you spend 12 years of your life at school preparing for university. University studies are known to be harder, but that doesn’t mean that school is easy. High school students are always excited for university and university students always miss school but they also love university life. The question is which part of your life is better, is it school life or is it university life? High school is known as a first step to higher level of education , also the preparation for university. In the article “School Life: The Golden Period Of A Child’s Life,” Neeharika (2010) writes that as a child we always wanted to grow fast and live the life of an adult but as we have grown our responsibilities became far greater then when we used to be kids. Topics in high school are just the basics that give an …show more content… The common similarity is if you fail in school or in university you have to repeat your school year or the subject that you failed in university. Failing as I mentioned is kind of a similarity but the biggest similarity in my point of view is the hard working to pass your school year or your university course, for both high school and university, you have to study hard to achieve a good grade and pass. Without hard work students would not pass their school or university year which makes it the most important similarity between school and university. According to Neeharika (2010), in “School Life: The Golden Period Of A Child’s Life” she says as university you are the judge of your own actions good or bad, you are always a judge when it comes to taking an action. As she also mentioned that a university student is not always free to do whatever he or she

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High School Life Vs College Life Essay

Recommended: differences between high school and college advantages and disadvantages

Life is plenary of experiences; some are good and some awful. These moments in life makes you learn a great deal. I have had my experiences too. I studied nursery, high school, university, and done several jobs. High school is a school where students are edified their secondary education, whereas in college students get their higher education and are awarded a specific degree. High school and college are two different chapters in every body’s life. Every student who is eager to get a degree must surpass these two milestones. On the basis of my experiences, I shall compare high school life with college life. First of all, high school and college life are quite similar when it comes to preparing students for a career in the future. They both make it sure to teach you things which will help you in your future. High school and college have the same sort of courses, just a little advance in the college. Similarly, not only high school but also college have the similar structure of teaching. College, just like high school have tests, homework and the terrible final exams. In order to get good grades in high school, students need to work hard; similarly, College also have strict basic rules just similar to high school, just as students cannot talk on their mobile phone in high school; likewise, students are not allowed to pick up a call while attending a …show more content…

High school looks simple to students while College looks more advanced and essential to students as compared to high school for the reason that it brings interesting and brand-new stuff to their lives. We can say that high school is much simpler as compared to college. College has an advance level of subjects, thus requires plenty of time, struggle as well as commitment to studies. It is true that college is occasionally exhausting; although, I still consider that life in college is more entertaining and fascinating as compared to high

Transitioning to College: The Freshman 15

Throughout the length of schooling, students go through various changes. In their first year of school, children are required to make the transition from being at home for the entire day to being in school for a number of hours a day. These transition periods happen many times through the schooling years, but the most drastic changes occur during the transition from high school to college, where students weather numerous lifestyle changes. While each individual student goes on their own journey, certain themes remain common between different students. Studies are done to look at these themes identifying the numerous differences and similarities.

Compare And Contrast High School And College

High school and college differ in a variety of different ways that separate the two in a significant manner. High school is designed to prepare the student for college and on the other hand college is designed to prepare the student for reality. I’ve personally been enrolled in high school and college institutions, therefore I have experienced the reality of both. Many high school scholars enroll in college thinking that they’ll have nearly the same responsibilities and expectations in which they had to exceed in high school, which is very untrue. College is difficult and isn’t a push over like high school, so put forth your best effort. Although high school and college may seem similar, they are in fact surprisingly different regarding housing

Comparing High School And College Essay

After my first few months of college, I realized I enjoy being a college student much more than I enjoyed being a high school student. However, the transition between the two extremely diverse worlds, was challenging at first, I found out how to overcome it. Originally, I couldn’t realize how different the two were, but as time went on, I was about to notice the differences. Not everyone is able to be aware of the many similarities and difference. Some differences include: cost, amount of freedom, and reasons why people are there. On the other hand, both high school and college have similar class structure and both require time management. The better prepared a student is to challenged with these many similarities and differences, the more

Life After High School Essay

“What are your plans after high school?.”, This is a question that everyone is asked multiple times throughout the course of their lives. Sometimes it is just something that they themselves ponder in their own thoughts. What someone does after high school should be something that is not only interesting to that person, but will ultimately lead them into a career that they will loved and enjoy. A great career that is definitely worth considering is that of a paramedic. The job description of a paramedic is very broad and can have many affects on a person's life. But not only is this job greatly fulfilling to someone’s personal life, it is also very fulfilling to someone else’s life as well. It is a fast paced, adrenaline fueled job that requires more than the faint of heart. It requires a person who not only enjoys the thrill of the rush and a hard adrenaline pump, but is also content with

The Differences Between High School Vs. College

There are a lot of differences between high school and college. Some of the differences are the education, the professors, and the students. This essay will explain the difference between high school and college.

Persuasive Essay: The Stages Of College Going From High School

After high school majority of parents want their children to go to college, graduate, have a promising career and start a family and this is the American dream. Of course going to college will earn you a career and make you financial stable with certain jobs. To earn all those things you need to work even harder to achieve them. Going through four to eight years of college is exhausting and time consuming. There are a lot of stages you go through during college starting from high school. For me I can say that it has been a long journey but it is a well worth journey because of the reward I will receive in the end. In college financial aid, teachers, assignments, and classrooms are different from high school in a major way.

Difference Between High School And College English

College is somewhere where all the students keep busy with their work that is assigned and they seem determined to be successful and take their education seriously. There are many differences that I believe are the main points between college English and high school English. For example, the way teachers act in the classroom and towards the students, how the teacher presents the work and homework to the classroom, and just the overall way that the class is taught. The differences about how teachers from college and high school are pretty different, they always know what they are doing that day compared to some English teachers in high school that seem like they have no clue what they are going to teach us on a daily basis. They always tell us to be prepared and to bring all of your necessary utensils to school and be ready to learn but it seems like they should follow thier own rules as well and teach us something that will help us far into the future. I am not trying to make them look bad, but compared to how college professors are organized and know what information they want to teach their students so they can exceed in their academic achievements is totally different from the way high school english teachers present

The Financial Hurdles of American Higher Education

Students tend to choose to attend high schools that are closer to their home, so they can have access to easier transportation. That being said, students in high school come from the same area. In high school, there are fewer clubs and organizations. Because faculty runs clubs and organizations, if a student wants to create a club, it usually takes a long time because they need the approval of their teachers and faculty. Since students abide by their parent 's rules and live at home, they have little to no social life outside of high school. In college, students are independent and therefore have to be careful of their

Compare and Contrast High School versus College

Students who make the transition from high school into college have difficulty adjusting because many are not used to being on their own nor their new environment. Entering college, you come to understand that it is not the same as high school. There are crucial differences like the level of academic responsibilities, time management and scheduling, as well as the method of learning. College and high school are different in many ways but they both ultimately share the same goal in teaching students to learn.

A Comparison of High School and College

High school and college are different in many ways. It is true to say that college is more expensive than high school. Of course, it provides a higher level of education, but that expensive fees make it hard for those that come from low income families. At college you also have to buy books where in high school you borrow them from the school. Paying for education can get expensive, but some people pay even more than imaginable. Some cities do not have colleges, so students that want a higher education have to move away to another city where they can get a higher education. This often involves paying for an apartment, food and transportation. However, the cost is not the only thing to consider when comparing high school to college. As college provides a higher level of education, the amount of homework increases. At high school, where it is more of a general education, the time spent at home doing homework is a lot less. This does not mean that in high school, there is no work; it just means that it is a lot easier in some sense. At college you can also choose from subjects related to your field of study if you desired. There are also some differences between the social environment of students at high school and students at college. Since college students have more work to do at home, they have a limit on the time they can spend outside of school.

High School vs. College: A Personal Experience

Finally the biggest difference between high school and college is aid toward becoming better prepared for the new material.

Comparison And Contrast Essay: High School Vs. University

Education plays a very important role in a person’s life. Basic education is attained through primary school and high school. Education may be further perused after graduating from high school by attending university. This decision can make a person’s future brighter because, in most cases it is really hard to get a well-paid job and live a stable life without having a bachelor’s degree. However, people who want to peruse higher education must know that although there are similarities, there are also some differences between high school and university in terms of assignments, teachers, and responsibilities.

In high school most teachers will let you turn in your homework late if you give them an excuse such as, "I forgot it at home" or "It's in my locker." In college if you give your professor one of these excuses they will say, "Too bad." There are also a lot more tests in high school. Usually, there is a test every week or two. Although there are more tests, the work is not as hard. Most of the time you will read aloud in class or go over every point of the homework so that there is no question of what you have to do.

Schooling is a very important aspect in our lives and one must go through many steps to gain a higher education. Two of these steps are high school and college. Although high school and college students aim for the same goal, which is acquiring an education and graduating, the demands, expectations, and social atmosphere extremely contrast.

College And High School Compare And Contrast Essay

Comparing college to high school is like comparing a fish to a bird. They are both animals, but both have great differences. Some people say that college is supposed to be the best time of your life, while others say that high school was. I believe that it just depends on what you did during both. For some, the freedom of college was the greatest thing, and for others the freedom was awful because they were so used to their parents being right by them when they needed something. The differences of college and high school are almost as broad as the similarities between these two great times in a person’s life.

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  2. 003 Essay Example Differences Between Highschool And College Vs High

    high school life vs university life essay

  3. 4 differences between school and university life (and tips on how to

    high school life vs university life essay

  4. Similarities And Differences Between School And University Essay

    high school life vs university life essay

  5. High School vs University

    high school life vs university life essay

  6. 4 differences between school and university life (and tips on how to

    high school life vs university life essay

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  3. School Life Vs College Life

COMMENTS

  1. Contrasting High School Life Vs University Life

    It is a time of change, growth, and newfound independence. High school life and university life are two distinct phases that offer unique experiences and challenges. This essay examines the differences between high school life and university life, exploring the shift from structured routines to autonomous decision-making, the academic demands ...

  2. High School vs. University: a Comparison

    This essay compares and contrasts the key aspects of high school life and university life, exploring differences in academic rigor, independence, social dynamics, and personal responsibility. Academic Rigor and Flexibility. High school and university differ in terms of academic rigor and flexibility.

  3. Differences Between University And High School Life

    Some people say high school is the best moment and others say University life is much better. Actually, it depends on people's perspectives. That is why there are a lot of different opinions on university and high school life. In this essay, I would like to discuss some similarities and differences between university life and high school life ...

  4. High School vs. University

    High School Musical Movie Review: Unrealistic Expectations for High School Pages: 2 (516 words) High School vs. University: A Comparison Pages: 2 (532 words) The Life Changing Step: From High School to University Pages: 2 (583 words) Compare and Contrast Between State University and Private University Pages: 3 (613 words)

  5. High School vs College: 15 Key Differences

    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 ...

  6. PDF Comparison paragraph high school students vs university ...

    Answers. 1. There are many methods of learning and many ways to develop student's skills. 2. They have to be more responsible, independent and they have make decisions by themselves. 3. Life can be fun and carefree. 4. They live in small narrow worlds with similar people with similar ideas.

  7. Similarities Between High School Life And University Life

    At first, in high school, student should follow the school regulation, which is that students must wear their school uniform, students should go to school at 7:50 a.m. and so on. Additionally, high school students spend their time in studying for going to the university so many students study hard in a desk in most of the time.

  8. Compare/Contrast Essay: High School Life Or College Life?

    Following is a comparison and contrast between these two. Both high school and college help us choose the path we want to go in the future. They help us realize our interests and potentials. Through the subjects and courses that we study fundamentally and in depth, they are a way to prepare us for our future career.

  9. 4 differences between school and university life (and tips on how to

    Here are 4 big differences between school and university life that will take adjusting to, with a few tips from our University of Adelaide College students and graduates: 1. Learning independently vs. managed learning "First thing first, no one is going to yell at you if you don't do your assignments or when you decide to skip lectures.

  10. College vs. High School: Differences and Similarities

    High School: You attend all the scheduled classes. You have a lot of classes a day. You are obligated to be in school and do your homework. College: You schedule your classes the way you want. You choose classes which you long to learn. Attending classes and completing assignments are your responsibility.

  11. 20 Differences Between High School & College Life

    College: You get to live with your friends in college. High School: You wake up early in the morning for class in high school. College: You wake up for your first class (or whenever you want). High School: In high school, you were forced to learn all subjects. College: In college, you get to learn whatever you want to.

  12. High School Versus University: A compare/contrast essay

    High school and university have three major similarities. The influence of peer pressure is like a chain that has bound you until you decide to break free. ... Write an essay on college vs. high school life. Focus our paper on a particular aspect of school - teachers, classes, sports and social life.… 320 Words; 1 Page; Good Essays. Read ...

  13. High School vs. College Compare and Contrast Essay

    This is a free essay sample available for all students. If you are looking where to buy pre written essays on the topic "High School vs. College", browse our private essay samples. Whether you like them or not, high school and college are two significant stages of your academic life.

  14. High School vs College Life: Fun Must-Know Differences

    In high school, you are all from the same area and are all of the same age. In college, you will meet people who came from all over the country, as well as international students from across the globe. There will be students much older than you, as well as people with differing opinions and backgrounds than your own. 4.

  15. Similarities And Differences Between School And University

    There are many differences and similarities in school and university. First, the cost at a university is very high, and very few students can afford to study …show more content…. University students can join different clubs available to enhance education, do exercise in the gym, and use the equipment available there, while schools offer a ...

  16. Seven differences between high school and university

    Moving from elementary school to high school, I remember how exciting it was to be able to switch classrooms at the end of class. But now, rather than moving from classroom to classroom, you will likely be going from building to building between classes. In high school, most classes are in one building.

  17. Compare/contrast high school life and university liife

    High school and university time are all precious periods which students almost experienced. Although high school life and university one have some differences, they seem alike in some ways | Band: 5. writing9. Pricing; ... Work on improving the structure of your essay to enhance the flow of ideas and make it easier for the reader to follow.

  18. The Transition from High School to University Writing

    The Transition from High School to University Writing. To meet the expectations of university writing, you will need to unlearn rules you may have learned in high school. Those rules may have helped you to plan and write your essays by providing a ready-made structure you could fit your ideas into. But continuing to rely on these rules will ...

  19. Similarities Between School Life And University Life

    Without hard work students would not pass their school or university year which makes it the most important similarity between school and university. According to Neeharika (2010), in "School Life: The Golden Period Of A Child's Life" she says as university you are the judge of your own actions good or bad, you are always a judge when it ...

  20. Expectations Vs Reality Of University Life Opposed To High School

    As soon as I read my name on the merit list of FMU my happiness knew no bounds. As my dream was coming true, I started to dream about my university life too. I have heard from my brother that university life is quite easy as compared to school and college life.

  21. High School Life Vs College Life Essay

    High School Life Vs College Life Essay. 505 Words2 Pages. Life is plenary of experiences; some are good and some awful. These moments in life makes you learn a great deal. I have had my experiences too. I studied nursery, high school, university, and done several jobs. High school is a school where students are edified their secondary education ...