Top 10 Biggest Differences Between High School and College

One thing about college is that your time is completely in your hands. You are mostly independent, an adult who will be treated as such. You are in control of when you wake up and go to sleep, and you can basically do whatever you want, whenever you want, as long as you can handle the responsibility.

In high school, your parents or legal guardians were typically there to protect and guide you, setting boundaries like curfews to help steer you toward success. In college, they aren't there anymore. It is officially up to you to wake up, take care of yourself, and get to classes on time.

Without anyone setting boundaries, you can go to bars or house parties whenever you want. However, you need to be cautious because your parents won't be there to pick you up if something goes wrong. College is a reality check that teaches you your actions have consequences and you are ultimately responsible for yourself.

No one will stop you from sneaking alcohol into the dorms, but if you get caught, you will be punished and held accountable. So, while being on your own sounds like a blessing, it can just as easily be a curse.

In high school, classes typically have around 30-35 students, depending on the size of your school. You usually know a lot of people in your classes.

In college, it's a completely different experience. Depending on the size of the school and the class, it's not uncommon to have well over 200 students in one class, especially for general education courses. This is particularly common at large public universities like Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas. Even some major-specific courses can have over 50 students.

Some classes may be smaller, with fewer than 10 students, but this usually depends on your major and is more common in senior capstone-level courses. Most of your classes will be larger than your high school classes, meaning you likely won't know everyone in the room. In fact, you might hardly know anyone in your classes at all.

Professors likely won't know who you are either, as they may be teaching well over 1,000 students in a single day.

Most high schools have 7-8 classes per day, each lasting around 40-50 minutes. In college, your schedule will be a lot different. You may only have 5 classes a semester, with 2 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the others on Tuesday and Thursday. These classes generally last an hour to an hour and a half, but the spacing between them may be much longer. You might have a 2-hour break between classes.

In addition, if you're in chemistry, biology, physics, or similar subjects, you'll likely have a separate dedicated lab time that can last up to 3 hours, depending on the class. Labs typically occur just once a week. You might also have classes that meet only once a week or classes that meet in the evenings.

Unlike high school, where you have little to no freedom to select your classes, college is much different. You can practically take whatever classes you want and study what interests you. Granted, general education courses like math and English might be required for graduation, but most of your classes will be major-specific, giving you the freedom and flexibility to focus on your area of interest.

Another major difference is that in high school, you're stuck with whatever teacher you get. If you don't like them, tough luck. In college, you can switch classes or drop them entirely if needed.

Almost everything you need in high school is provided for you. At worst, you'll probably need some school supplies and a calculator.

College, on the other hand, comes with a hefty price just to attend, not to mention housing fees, meal plans, and textbooks that can cost a fortune. It's no wonder most students are forced to take out loans just to pay for college. The amount of debt some people find themselves in is insane, especially when you factor in grad school, medical school, or other advanced education programs.

There is a reason why some people choose trade school as an alternative. It is a solid option that can lead to high-paying careers without the burden of student loans. That being said, college isn't necessarily a mistake. It's just important to assess your options and make the best decision for yourself.

Basically, if you're in high school and planning to attend college, appreciate how good you have it while you're still learning for cheap.

This is a very big adjustment for most people. Not only are you living in a consolidated area, likely smaller than your regular bedroom, but you're also forced to share it with a complete stranger. Roommates, in general, are either a hit or miss. They can become your best friend or someone you never speak to.

The best advice is to set boundaries and always communicate with each other. It won't always be easy, but learning to live with someone else is important. Even if you're not in the dorms, you're likely going to be living with roommates in an apartment or house off campus, and you'll need to learn how to take care of things like cleaning, maintenance, rent, and other responsibilities.

In high school, you'll likely receive daily assignments and a lot of in-class work to check your understanding of the material. Most of the time, these are very surface-level assignments.

College classes vary. Sometimes, they will assign weekly assignments that are more complex and require deeper thought. On top of that, college professors will assign reading and expect you to complete it and keep up, as they may or may not discuss the readings in class. Regardless, they will move on under the assumption that you've already completed the assigned readings.

Some college classes may not have any assignments at all and instead rely on projects that are worth more points. The point is, in high school, you'll have far more opportunities to earn points and can afford to bomb an assignment. In college, you really can't afford to mess up because there aren't nearly as many assignments to make up for lost points.

Also worth mentioning, if you thought high school teachers were strict about turning in assignments on time, college professors typically show no mercy for late work. Anything higher than a zero for late work is considered lucky. So, don't mess around with deadlines.

In high school, you might have 5-6 tests per semester to check your understanding of the material. These tests typically don't cover too much material at once, and doing poorly on one usually won't ruin your grade.

In college, however, you may have only 3 tests per course. Usually, there is a midterm, a final, and possibly 1-2 additional exams. These tests cover much more material than high school exams. High school teachers almost always review the material beforehand and often provide review sheets that outline what will be on the test.

In contrast, college professors may or may not review exam material, and they usually will not hand out review sheets. They will tell you what chapters the test covers, and it is up to you to review and know the material.

Taking good notes in college is crucial for success. Professors also expect you to come prepared with questions for any review sessions they may offer. College tests are a completely different challenge since they are often weighted more heavily. Bombing one test can quickly hurt your grade, so developing strong study habits is essential to maintaining good academic performance.

High school teachers will always take attendance, while college professors may or may not. They might not even know you, and they often don't care if you show up since you're paying to be there anyway. The only time attendance might be an issue is if you're involved in athletics, as they'll make sure you're going to class.

Otherwise, you are completely free to skip class, although it's in your best interest to attend whenever possible. Missing class in high school isn't a big problem, but missing a class in college can feel like being gone for a week because so much more material is covered in each session.

Basically, high school teachers are more likely to hold your hand and help if you need assistance. They usually don't want to hold you back a grade, so they'll do whatever they can to help you pass. It is their job to make sure that everyone passes the class. They'll ensure everyone understands the material and typically point out or write down important notes for you.

In contrast, college professors may not write anything on the board, or they might write something that enhances their lectures but doesn't summarize them. They will continue on and expect you to keep up and understand the material. Most assignments, quizzes, and exams are given under the assumption that you already have a good understanding of the concepts presented in class.

Professors are generally open to answering questions but typically do so during their dedicated office hours. They aren't likely to stop a lecture to answer questions, so it's usually up to you to schedule an appointment during office hours if you need help.