Making the College Adjustment - Online Orientation
High School vs. College
Students attending college for the first time will often times need support adjusting to college, as there are many differences between high school and college. It is important to recognize these differences so you can prepare yourself for the transition to college.
High School
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Teacher (instructor)/student contact is closer and more frequent because classes meet every day. Teachers also pay closer attention to whether or not students are staying on top of assignments.
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The majority of work is done in school with a couple hours of homework each night.
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Students depend on others to help them make decisions.
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Students must follow parents’ rules and restrictions.
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Parents will often help students get out of difficult situations.
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Reputations are often established early in high school and are difficult to change. Students often make friends early and keep the same group of friends throughout high school.
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Students tend to adopt their parents’ views and values.
College
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Faculty instructors are more difficult to reach and are primarily available during office hours and by appointment. Classes are less frequent and instructors expect students to stay on top of assignments.
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The majority of work is done at home, with only a few hours of in-class time per week.
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Students are more independent and rely more on themselves to make decisions, especially if they are no longer living at home.
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Students have more freedom and will need to take responsibility for their own actions.
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Reputations are new. Students have the opportunity to continuously reinvent themselves, meet new people, and develop their interests.
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There is the opportunity for more distractions since students have more free time. It is important for students to understand how to budget their time.
