College Classes And High School Courses: How Do They Compare?

You’ll enter college with plenty of preconceived notions as to what college classes are like. You’ve heard what they’re like, no doubt, and chances are you’ve heard plenty of horror stories. From 15-page papers to having your grade determined by only two exams, everyone’s probably told you that you have it easy right now. Well, depending on what type of student you were throughout high school, the academic side of college might be surprisingly difficult or easily negotiable.

First off, the majority of college courses require significant amounts of reading. Fortunately, a lot of high school classes involve plenty of reading, except in college you have to pay for your own textbooks, there’ll be even fewer pictures in the books, and the writing will read that much dryer. Even classes on film or physical education can require reading! At least in college you’re free to highlight and mark up that textbook as needed, and there are so many pockets of time throughout your day that you can read a few pages here and there and finish up quickly. High school textbook reading requires you to sit and read for one long grueling session; after all, you’re in school all day. With college, your day will be broken up nicely, allowing enough time for reading and other work during the day, which is important because chances are you’ll have a lot more energy during the day than at night.

In addition to more reading, college courses require a greater ability to adapt. High school teachers are all about staying on schedule (and frequently get stressed when they fall behind in their lessons, as you’ve probably seen!). College instructors, however, have a tendency to improvise their lessons and proceed at a pace or rate that pleases them best. You, as the student, will have to work around their teaching style. The good news is that you’ll often find teachers who you can easily adapt to, while others will prove more difficult. College instructors and professors come from so many different backgrounds, and they’re not all under the same guidance or rule, as your high school teachers were. Just try and keep an open mind from the beginning, and you’ll quickly get good at figuring out which type of teachers you learn best from. Another nice thing about college? If you don’t think a certain teacher will work out, transfer classes! It’s another one of the important freedoms that college offers.

Speaking of freedom, college classes all offer greater independence. It’ll be your responsibility to go to class, to pay attention, and to actually do your homework and reading after class. If you neglect any of this, chances are you won’t receive a slap on the wrist like you would have in high school. Your teacher won’t question you in the middle of class in front of all the other students as to why you neglected to answer questions one through five on page 47. The real punishment will come when you receive your grade. Perhaps this independence sounds like another of college’s great, newfound freedoms, but it’s in essence making you more accountable and responsible as a student. Without a teacher there to guide you every step and speak up when you’re falling behind, it’ll also be your job to keep track of how well you’re learning and to ask for help when needed. Just remember, appreciate the freedoms college will bring, but don’t neglect to keep yourself in check too.