Many people agree that a great education is a significant quality to have in life. To get that good education, one must not just graduate from high school, but also attend college. Lots of people disagree on the differences and similarities between the two because they are entirely different worlds, each with their unique individual qualities.
High school is usually free of charge and mandatory for everybody. Student time is carefully structured by others. Students need permission to take part in extracurricular activities. They also count on teachers and parents to remind them of the responsibilities and to direct in setting priorities. Each day the students carry on from one class to another. They spend 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week in class. Most of the classes are prearranged. Mainly, in high school students usually are told what to do and guided if their behavior is out of line.
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"High School vs College".
College on the other side is expensive and voluntary. Students freely manage their own time. They decide whether to participate in any extra activities. Unlike high school, students in college set their own priorities and balance their responsibilities. Students face ethical and moral decisions. They frequently have hours between classes and the class time differs throughout the evening and day. Students spend around 12 to 16 hours per week in class. They organize their own schedule with the adviser’s help. The schedule often looks lighter than it really is. However, graduation requirements are compound and vary from year to year. Therefore, unlike high school, students have to take responsibility for what they do, as well as for the consequences of their decisions.
The school year lasts 36 weeks and classes have no more than 35 students. Students may study at home for as little as 2 hours. Usually reading material once and listening sometimes at school is enough. Students read short assignments to discuss in class and usually are told what to study from the readings. In college, on the other hand, academic year is divided into two 15 week semesters. Classes include up to 100 people. Students study 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class. They review notes and material often. They also have to do a lot of reading and writing. Thus, it is basically up to students to do with duties or not because class automatically assumes students do so.
With regards to educators, in high school teachers check and analyze the homework of students. They approach as if the students need help. They are always there to talk during and after class. Teachers provide material if a student has been absent and give notes to help comprehend the material in the book. They write on blackboards and expect students to copy notes. Teachers communicate knowledge and facts and take time to remind about due dates and assignments. They also monitor attendance. High school is a teaching environment where students acquire skills and facts.
College on the other hand, is a learning setting where students take responsibility to think through and apply what they have studied. Professors not always check homework. Being helpful and open, they not expect daily contact. They expect students to get their own notes if they missed class. Professors not always follow textbook but give additional notes and illustrations. They lecture nonstop and anticipate students to identify main points. They expect students to read, consult and save the course syllabus. They informally take roll but they are likely to check attendance.
Tests in college and high school also differ. In high school mastery is often seen as the proficiency to reproduce what students have learnt in a form it was presented and solve problems the way they were taught. In college, mastery is seen as the capability to apply what was learnt to new problems and situations. In high school effort counts and courses are often structured the way to reward a good effort. In college, however, result counts. Even though good effort is always welcome and important, it will never substitute for the result in a grading process.
Although college and high school are very different, they still share many similarities. High school prepares a student for college. College is a new beginning and page in life. College is almost a mature adaptation of high school. Mostly importantly, college and high school are what a student makes of it.
