One of the biggest questions that Seniors have on their mind is "How is College Different from High School?"

Following the Rules in High School vs. Choosing Responsibilty in College

• High School is Manditory and usually FREE...College is Voluntary and EXPENSIVE
• In High School your time is structured by others...You manage your own time in College
• In High School you need permission to participate in extracurricular activities...In College you must decide wheter to participate in student activities
• In High School, Parents and teachers take the lead in reminding you of responsibilities and guiding you in setting priorities...In College, YOU must balance your responsibilities and set priorities
• In High School, You go from one class to another, 6 hours every day, 30 hours a week...In College you often have hours in between classes and class times vary throughout the day and evening (as a full-time college student, you may only spend 12-18 hours/week in class)
• In High School, your classes are already arranged for you...In College, you arrange your own schedule in consultation with your academic advisor
• In High School, you are not responsible for knowing what it takes to graduate...In college, graduation requirements are complex and different for each major and YOU are expected to know those that apply to you

Going to High School Classes vs. Being Successful in College Courses

• In High School, you may have to only study for a few minutes a day (mostly last minute preparation...In College, you need to study 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each hour you actually spend in class
• In High School, you seldom need to read anything more than once and sometimes listening in class can be enough...In College, you will need to review class notes and book material regularly
• In High School, you are expected to read short assignments and then discuss them or re-read in class...In College, you are assigned substantial amounts of reading which may not be directly reviewed in class

High School Teachers vs. College Professors

• In High School, Teachers check your completed homework...Professors may not always check for completed work, but will assume that you can perform the same tasks on a test
• Teachers remind you of incomplete work...Professors may not remind you of incomplete work
• Teachers may talk to you and your parents about your progress and about any concerns...Professors will not talk to parents about your academic progress because of federal privacy laws
• Teachers approach you if they believe you need assistance...Professors are usually open and helpful, but expect YOU to initiate contact if you need assistance
• Teachers are often available for conversation before, during or after class...Professors expect and want you to attend their scheduled office hours
• Teachers provide you with information you missed when you were absent...Professors expect you to get any notes you missed from classmates
• Teachers present material to help you understand the material in the textbook...Professors may not follow the textbook, but instead may give illustrations, discuss research about the topic or they may want you to relate the classes to the textbook
• Teachers often write information on the board so you can copy it in your notes...Professors may lecture non-stop, expecting you to identify important parts
• Teachers often take time to remind you of assignments and due dates...Professors expect you to read, save and consult the course syllabus (outline), which spells out exactly what is expected of you, when it is due and how you will be graded

Tests in High School vs. Tests in College

• Testing is frequent and covers small amounts of materin in hight school...In college, testing is usually infrequent and may be cumulative, covering large amounts of matrial; YOU not the professor, need to organize material in order to prepare for the test; there may be only 2 or 3 tests in a whole course!
• Make up tests are often avaliable in high school...In college, make up tests are seldom an option, if they are YOU have to request them.
• High school tests may be rearranged to avoid conflict with other tests or school events...Professors in different courses usually schedule tests without regard to the demand of other courses or other activities.
• Teachers frequently conduct review sessions, pointing out the most important concepts...Professors rarely offer review sessions and when they do, they expect that you are actively participating and come prepared with questions.

Grades in High School vs. Grades in College

• Grades are given for most assigned work in high school...Grades in college may not be provided for all work
• Consistently good homework grades may raise y our overall grade when test grades are low...In college, grades on tests or major papers provide most of the grade for the course.
• Initial test grades, especially when they are low, may not have an adverse effect on your final grade in high school...In college, watch out for your first test!  These are usually wake up calls to let you know what is expected, but they can also count for a major portion of your grade.
• You may graduate high school as long as you passed all your required courses with a D or higher...In college you may graduate only if your GPA is a 2.0 (at least a C) and in some majors you may need a C or above in certain courses.
• In high school effort counts...in College, Results count.

• Take control of your own education.  You are an independent learner.
• Get to know your college professors and academic advisors because they are great resources to turn to.
• Be assertive and ask for help if you need it.  Don't wait until it is too late.
• Take control of your time, plan ahead and be realistic about your other responsibilities; satisfy academic obligations.
• Use an Academic Planner or Agenda to remember important deadlines, paper due dates, course exams etc.
• Discuss with your advisor your course selections.
• Set goals for each semester, the year and your college career!