What is the next step after graduating high school? It is that time of year where students are graduating from high school and planning to further their education. If you were like me last year, you are more than likely wondering what is expected at college. When I first started college I was so nervous because I didn’t know what to expect or what was expected of me. Now, I feel college life is so much more enjoyable then high school. I have so much more control over my education and more freedom. This paper will address the main differences from high school to college such as college scene, academic level, and rewarding experience. A college scene has a different scene then high school. Social activities are one of the biggest differences transitioning from high school to college. I think the social scene is so much more different than high school because you have more freedom such as choice of college and residence. You have the ability to choose where to reside at whether it is on campus or outside of campus. Most students attending college live on campus and experience the unsupervised and independent lifestyle. At college you will be experiencing your own rules and living on your own. Therefore, you will be subjected to different social activities. This means they are subjected to pressure and temptations. It is important to choose activities that you are comfortable with and not letting someone else pressure you into something you don’t believe in. At college people attend from different backgrounds and places. There is a larger and more variety group of students attending college than there is in high school. In high school you typically grow up and see the same people every day for four years. The main struggle when going from high school to college will be balancing your social life from your school work. In conclusion, there are plenty of ways to have fun while in college without turning to negative behavior. One of challenges transitioning from high school is making your own choices such as participating in co-curricular activities, managing your study time with your personal life, choosing classes in your own major. From my experience, making your decision on your own can be difficult. There are a lot of decisions to be made while attending college. If you are living on campus you are living without your parents or teachers supervision therefore, you are on your own. At college you will be introduced to negative activities that can affect your studying habits such as drugs, alcohol and sex. Without supervision you have to learn to control the peer pressure from others. It is important to stay clear from these negative behaviors because a college education should be taken seriously. A daily will help keep you on track of what needs to get accomplished and stay on track. When I had started college I noticed it was so much more difficult to keep track of everything because you don’t have someone to keep track of everything for you. A college education is will help you succeed in life and live a better lifestyle. In high school you don’t have the choices to choose your own class, manage your school time, and the variety of co-curricular activities available. Although, there are some mandatory classes at college but, after you pass those classes you have free choice of classes. In general, college life has so much more freedom where in high school it is limited. Therefore, decision-making plays a key factor at college. College has a different academic level than high school. In college classes you are responsible to keep track of your assignments, study time, and tests. Professors are not always there to keep you on track like they were in high school. One of the biggest differences I have noticed is the teacher doesn’t hound you for your assignments or test. If you miss an exam more than likely you will receive a zero and not be able to make it up. Where if you were in high school they would make sure you completed a test or an assignment. You are the one responsible to get your notes or assignments if you were not there. The classes at college are also longer and more challenging. Unlike high school classes where you attend consistently for eight hours five days a week where in college you may only attend class for two hours. In high school classes you are told when to complete assignments and take notes. When in college you have the choice to take notes or just sit in class. Also you may only study a couple of hours outside of high school where in college their more material and studying 2 to 3 hours may be needed.
College is a rewarding experience. Although it isn’t all fun, there is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into it. College can improve your lifestyle by advancing in your workplace. Because of, the economic downturn, employers are looking for employees that have a degree in college. Unlike a high school diploma, a college degree is more useful and favored when entering the workplace. However, a high school diploma doesn’t cost you as much as if you were to further your education. When you further your education you are expected to pay for your degree. Also when you are in high school as a student you aren’t a hundred percent dedicated to earning a high school diploma. As if you were in college, a student would put more devotion into their school work because they the one are paying for their education. In all, a higher education equals more money, better job opportunities, and overall a better lifestyle in general.
College can be a scary and overwhelming experience yet, it also can be a life changing experience. At college you will experience many differences that you have not went through in high school such as social changes, academic level, and an overall better lifestyle change. College is a rewarding lifestyle change that can affect your future greatly by being able to advance in the workplace. From my experience, college is much more enjoyable than high school with all the freedom. Learning the critical similarities and differences will help you have a more enjoyable and not stressful first college school year.