Countdown to College: Is Your Student Ready?
Transitioning from high school to college can be exciting, challenging and emotional. The first six weeks of the first semester can be critical to a new student's academic success. Understanding the differences between high school and college can help students navigate the transition.
| High School | College | |
| Personal Freedoms | Families and teachers often guide students in decision-making and remind them of rules and responsibilities. |
Students
make
their
own
ethical/
moral
decisions,
are
responsible
for
their
own
actions
and
are
held
accountable
for
infractions. |
| Socializing is often monitored by families with regard to curfews, permission and attendance at events. Students are considered juveniles until age 18. | With regard to socializing, students self-manage time, activities and attention. Students 18 and older have legal and college-instituted consequences for infractions. Student privacy is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. | |
| Instruction Methods | Trained to be educators, teachers relay information directly during class. Out-of-class readings are discussed in class to help students understand and connect basic facts with complex concepts. |
Professors
have
expertise
in
particular
disciplines.
They
assume
students
will
take
good
notes
during
class
lectures
and
use
critical
thinking
and
problem-solving
skills
to
understand,
synthesize
and
apply
complex
concepts. |
| Teachers monitor class attendance, check homework, remind students of incomplete work and approach students if they think assistance is needed. | Professors often do not take attendance, check homework or remind students of incomplete work. Students are expected to self-monitor and ask for assistance. | |
| Testing | Teachers may have review sessions, may test often and rearrange test dates to avoid conflict with school events. |
Most
professors
do
not
have
review
sessions
or
rearrange
test
dates.
Testing
can
be
infrequent
and
cover
lots
of
material. |
| Test preparation often requires students to memorize facts/formulas and to have a basic understanding of their applications. | Professors expect students to analyze and apply information in complex ways that show they have mastered the material. Students must integrate material presented through lectures, readings and assignments. | |
| Grading | Homework and extra credit assignments can boost grades if test scores are low. | Tests, major papers and projects weigh heavily in a course grade. |