college vs. high school

Nicole Williams
Professor Greenup
Elements of Writing
10 October 2013

At one point in time every child has thought about what their college experience would be like. Its something that we as humans just can't stop thinking about until that big day actually comes. However, in order to get to that big day students must first get through four long years of high school. Now that I am in college and away from my family and childhood friends I'm starting to notice the major differences between high school and college. When you first start high school for your freshman year it may seem like your entering a new world. Often students will feel lost because the type of environment is completely different from their middle school days. A few things help differentiate high school from college is that high school is mandatory and for the most part it is free. In high school you need permission to participate in extracurricular activities and your time is usually structured by others. You can also count on parents and teachers to remind you of your responsibilities and to guide you in setting priorities. Unlike college classes the school year is 36 weeks long and some classes extend over both semesters. Now, trying to deal with high school teachers may be a challenge but they are always there if you need help. In high school, the teachers are often available for conversation before, during, or after class unlike college professors that expect and want you to attend their scheduled office hours. The teachers in high school check your completed homework and they remind you of you incomplete work unlike college professors. Once those four years pass you must now embark on a new chapter in life, a chapter called college. Transitioing from high school to college can change ones entire view on life. It may seem like the first time you are truly on your own and for the most part you have to do everything for yourself. Unlilke high school college is voultary and expensive. In college you can manage your own time and set your own schedules to help benefit your work schedule. Most students have to learn how to balance their responsibilities and set priorities ; students will face moral and ethical decisions that they have never faced before. College classes are very different from high school classes. You often have hours between classes and the times vary throughout the day and evening and you spend only 12 to 16 hours each week in class.