There are similarities between college and high school; for example, the students of each make their own decisions about which subjects to study. However, there are also many differences between the two types of establishment. Over all, the main difference is that a college student is expected to take a much higher level of responsibility than a high school student regarding himself and his studies.
There are similarities between high school and college. For example, in both types of establishment, a student can select the subjects wish most interest them and of which they would like to spend time learning, and gaining qualifications. Both high school students and college students are given the responsibility of choosing subjects which are most suitable for them and for their future career goals. Arguably, there is more support and advice available at high school to assist the student in making such decisions but, essentially, the decision is his and his alone in both college and high school. Furthermore, in both high school and college, there are different types of classes. Lectures and workshops exist in both, as do field trips and other modes of learning.
As well as similarities, there are also many differences between the two types of establishments. Firstly, high school is mandatory and is free (SMU). Furthermore, there are plenty of staff available to guide a student through the process of high school, and can help them to achieve reasonable grades, even if the student does not put in as much work as they should. Conversely, attending college is voluntary and can be very expensive (SMU). Additionally, unlike high school, a college student must take responsibility for their own learning. College students tend to live away from home and, therefore, have the added responsibilities of looking after themselves and paying rent, utilities etc. High school students tend to live with their parents where, often, such concerns are taken care of.
At high school, a student’s time is structured by other people. At college, on the other hand, a student is largely responsible for their own time management. While there are scheduled classes every week at college, much of the required work must be completed in the student’s spare time. High school students do not have to manage their time so efficiently as more of the work they need to complete is done within contact hours with the supervision of their tutors. Furthermore, is a high school student is achieving poorly with his studies, it is likely that a tutor will ask to speak to him and discuss what is going wrong and how to fix the problem. This is unlikely to happen to a college student. If a college student is struggling, it is his responsibility to speak to his tutor and to ask for the help he needs. If the student misses a class at college he must catch up before the next class whereas, at high school, the tutor is much more likely to assist the student in catching up what he missed (Grove).
There are many differences between the teachers and high school and the professors at college. Teachers will usually check all completed homework and will remind students of incomplete or overdue work. Professors, on the other hand, will often not check homework but will expect students to be able to perform the same skills, or possess the same knowledge, at other times (SMU). Another interesting difference is in the training each of the tutor types have received. Teachers are trained in teaching methods and in the best methods of giving information to students. Professors are different in that they are proven experts in their field of research; they are not necessarily trained teachers (SMU).
There are similarities and differences between high school and college establishments. While students of both decide which subjects to study according to their own personal interests and career goals, a college student is expected to be far more independent than a high school student regarding his studies and lifestyle choices. While achieving well at high school and college are both hard work and require commitment, a high school student can expect to be guided through the process with much more support than a college student.
Works Cited
Grove, A. “How are College Academics Different from High School?” About College
Admissions. 2011. Web. 17 March 2012. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegelifeqa/tp/High-School-vs-College.htm
SMU. “How is College Different from High School?” 2012. Web. 17 March 2012.
http://smu.edu/alec/transition.asp
